[SEC508] RE: [WebAIM] Accessible Applications

["Karl Groves" <kgroves@webaccessstrategies.com>]

Darian,

Can you please cite a source which states that a VPAT is mandatory?

Karl Groves
AIM/YIM: karlcore
Skype: eight.pistons
www.WebAccessStrategies.com 


> -----Original Message-----
> From: webaim-forum-bounces@list.webaim.org [mailto:webaim-forum-
> bounces@list.webaim.org] On Behalf Of Darian Glover
> Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 5:27 PM
> To: WebAIM Discussion List
> Cc: LISTSERV@listserv.buffalo.edu; LISTSERV@jiscmail.ac.uk;
> sec508@trace.wisc.edu; LISTSERV@listserv.uga.edu;
> LISTSERV@listserv.ucop.edu; icu@janejarrow.com; lyris-confirm-
> 199773K@lists.etr.org; disabilitylist@lists.etr.org; Korey J Singleton
> Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Accessible Applications
> 
> The U.S. Federal Government mandated that all technology, software and
> hardware, be accessible with Section 508.  During procurement a
> Voluntary
> Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is required from the vendor.
> Yes,
> it's labeled voluntary but is required.  Adherence to this requirement
> varies within the government, but is increasing.
> 
> Most vendors who deal with the government comply by producing VPATs for
> their products.  This does not mean the products are 100% accessible.
> The
> job of the VPAT is to identify how accessible the product is.  Most
> people
> acknowledge we are a ways off from having everything comply with
> Section 508
> or be accessible.  (Just because something complies with the letter of
> Section 508 does not mean it is accessible in spirit or practice.)
> 
> Example VPATs:
> http://www.adobe.com/resources/accessibility/tools/vpat/
> http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/products/section508.mspx
> 
> Information on the VPAT for vendors:
> http://www.itic.org/archives/articles/20040506/faq_voluntary_product_ac
> cessibility_template_vpat.php
> 
> 
> Darian.
> 
> 
> 
> On Mon, May 12, 2008 at 3:01 PM, Kara Zirkle <kzirkle1@gmu.edu> wrote:
> 
> > Is anyone using any of the following applications or products and if
> so
> > could you please give me some input on whether or not they are
> > accessible to individuals with disabilities or meet Section 508
> > Compliance?  Also, if anyone has done research on similar
> applications
> > and chose not to go with one of the following applications what
> > application did you go with that was more accessible?
> >
> > Applications such as:
> >
> > Adobe Breeze; Townhall; Blackboard; Respondus; CMS' Droople,
> Paperthin,
> > Commonspot and Figleaf; Luminous; Hawkeye software assets tracking;
> > Email applications GoogleApps, Microsoft Live or Exchange Labs;
> various
> > Blog Platforms (ex. Wordpress); various Survey Software; Banner and
> > other Sunguard applications; SkillPort; iTunes U Podcasting;
> Accordent
> > Capture; SharePoint 2007; Microsoft VISTA; ILLiad (interlibrary loan
> > management system); VuFind; Basecamp; GMPLS (generalized
> multiprotocol
> > label switching); AppWorx; and Touchnet software
> >
> > Also, has anyone contacted vendors directly asking for changes to be
> > made in response to accessibility if contract language wasn't
> originally
> > in the picture?  Can anyone make any suggestions about this?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > --
> > Kara Zirkle
> > IT Accessibility Coordinator
> > Assistive Technology Initiative
> > Thompson Hall RM 114 Mail Stop: 6A11
> > Fairfax Campus
> > 4400 University Drive
> > Fairfax, VA 22030
> > Phone: 703-993-9815
> > Fax: 703-993-4743
> > http://www.gmu.edu/accessibility/ati/home.html
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > To manage your subscription, visit http://list.webaim.org/
> > Address list messages to webaim-forum@list.webaim.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> To manage your subscription, visit http://list.webaim.org/
> Address list messages to webaim-forum@list.webaim.org