Re: [SEC508] Sec508 Application Testing

["Larry G. Hull" <Larry.G.Hull@nasa.gov>]

Title: Re: [SEC508] Sec508 Application Testing

Scott,

The Access Board has a software accessibility tutorial at

 

  http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/software-tutorial.htm

  however this tutorial doesn't really answer your question.

The are a few tools from a company named AccessABILITY Software at

  http://www.accessABILITYsoftware.com

  however these don't really answer your question either.

The software provisions of Section 508 require more than simple manual inspection techniques to ensure compliance. 

Assistive technologies are useful test tools but insufficient by themselves. 

Automated testing alone can not ensure compliance either. 

The bottom line is that automated tools and assistive technologies must be used together to ensure compliance.

Further, the human element with a clear understanding of the provisions is essential to perform manual inspections, to design and run tests, and to interpret results (e.g., detect fault positives).

I'm not aware of listed criteria or guidelines for programmers but would love to see both general criteria and specific guidelines for different languages and development environments.

Larry

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Permanent email address:      Larry.G.Hull@nasa.gov

Business address:             NASA

                              Goddard Space Flight Center
                              Code  588
                              Greenbelt, MD 20771

FAX:                          301-286-1768

Accessibility Engineer, Advanced Architectures and Automation Branch

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At 10:01 AM -0400 7/1/03, Albright Scott M Contr MSG/MMD wrote:

> I just had a Lieutenant Colonel ask me if
> I could test 3 software applications for 508 compliancy.
>
> Does anyone know what people use to do these tests (other than have a
> proper operating environment)?
>
> He also asked if there is listed criteria for what programmers should
> use when developing/testing software. All I can think are the
> standards set in the 508 verbage.
>
> Thanks,
> Scott
>
> *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
> Scott M Albright - Contractor
> Advanced Technology Systems, Inc.
>     Systems.People.Trust.
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