Our 508 Trusted Tester team is comprised of seasoned software application developers who specialize in 508 Compliance and are DHS 508 Trusted Tester Certified. We utilize DHS-approved tools such as CCA, ANDI, and manual inspection to provide a thorough and comprehensive 508 analysis and more importantly, quick and successful resolution for State, Federal contractors and Agencies.
Not only do we have expertise to identify compliance issues with your Electronic & Technology (EIT) websites and web applications, we can provide recommendations and guidance on how to resolve the issues quickly. With a deep understanding of 508 accessibility compliance, UX Human-Centered design and a focus on practical solutions, our certified testers ensure that your business or organization can achieve and maintain 508 Compliance efficiently and effectively.
508 Compliance refers to the adherence to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which mandates that all electronic and information technology (EIT) developed, procured, maintained, or used by Federal government agencies must be accessible to people with disabilities. This includes individuals with visual, hearing, cognitive, or mobility impairments.
The goal of 508 Compliance is to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to information and data that is comparable to the access available to those without disabilities. This typically involves making websites, software applications, documents, multimedia, and other digital content accessible through the use of assistive technologies such as screen readers, keyboard navigation, and captioning.
While Section 508 primarily applies to Federal agencies and contractors, many organizations outside the government also adopt these standards to improve accessibility and avoid legal risks, ensuring their digital content is usable by all individuals, regardless of ability.
A VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) is a document used to evaluate how accessible a product, such as software, hardware, or a web application, is according to accessibility standards, particularly the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the European Union’s EN 301 549 standard.
The VPAT helps organizations understand how well a product meets accessibility criteria, allowing them to determine whether it is compliant with legal accessibility requirements. Vendors or developers complete the VPAT to provide buyers or government agencies with transparency about the accessibility features and any potential barriers in their product.
A completed VPAT results in an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR), which summarizes how the product complies with the applicable standards and provides details on any areas that might need improvement. In addition, VPAT documentation is often required when responding to Government Requests for Proposals (RFP). While this task is usually a requirement for the incumbent often times new contractors must provide documentation as well.
In summary, a VPAT is a tool that helps evaluate and communicate the accessibility of a product, ensuring that it meets the needs of users with disabilities and complies with relevant laws and standards.
Failing to comply with Section 508 can result in several risks for organizations, particularly those working with or within the Federal government. Here are some key risks:
Legal and Financial Penalties: Non-compliance with Section 508 can lead to lawsuits, legal actions, and hefty fines. Federal agencies and contractors are required by law to meet these standards, and failure to do so can result in enforcement actions by agencies like the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Loss of Contracts and Business Opportunities: Companies that are not 508 compliant risk losing Federal contracts or business opportunities. Federal agencies are required to procure accessible technology, and failure to meet these requirements can disqualify a company from competitive bids.
Reputation Damage: Organizations that fail to meet accessibility standards may suffer reputational damage, particularly in sectors that emphasize inclusivity and equal access. Negative publicity can hurt public trust and affect long-term business prospects.
Exclusion of Potential Users: Failing to ensure that your products or services are accessible can exclude a significant portion of users, including people with disabilities. This not only impacts user experience but also limits your audience reach and potential market.
Increased Costs Over Time: Addressing accessibility issues after a product has already been developed or launched can be more expensive and time-consuming than building with accessibility in mind from the beginning. Non-compliance may also require retrofitting existing products, which can be costly.
Compliance Investigations and Audits: Federal agencies conduct periodic audits and compliance checks. If your product or service is found to be non-compliant, you may be subject to investigations, and forced to invest time and resources into corrective actions.
In summary, non-compliance with Section 508 exposes organizations to legal, financial, operational, and reputational risks, and can hinder their ability to work with Federal agencies or serve broader audiences.
Section 1: Conforming Alternate Version and Non-Interference
Section 2: Auto-Playing and Auto-Updating Content
Section 3: Flashing
Section 4: Keyboard Access and Focus
Section 5: Forms
Section 6: Links
Section 7: Images
Section 8: Adjustable Time Limits
Section 9: Repetitive Content
Section 10: Content Structure
Section 11: Language
Section 12: Page Titles, Frames, and iFrames
Section 13: Sensory Characteristics and Contrast
Section 14: Tables
Section 15: CSS Positioning
Section 16: Pre-Recorded Audio-Only, Video-Only, and Animations
Section 17: Synchronized Media
Section 18: Resize Text
Section 19: Multiple Ways
Section 20: Parsing
We're passionate about 508 Compliance and Human-Centered Design - in fact, you could say we wrote the book on it! AI & Human-Centered Design (HCD) for Government Agencies is a comprehensive guide designed to help designers leverage AI prompts and HCD principles into government and private sector enterprise projects, ensuring user-centered, accessible, and effective digital solutions.
The guide covers essential HCD methodologies, ensuring that web applications prioritize the user experience and accessibility. It includes detailed guidance on 508 and ADA compliance, helping designers create engaging experiences that comply with federal laws. Additionally, the guide offers practical ChatGPT AI tips, enabling designers to quickly create mockups and working prototypes by generating HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for user interfaces, streamlining the design-to-development process.
To help you quickly kickstart the design planning process, we've included a sample style guide focused on UI, UX, and Human-Centered Design (HCD). It offers best practices for typography, color schemes, and UI components, ensuring an intuitive and accessible experience tailored for government applications. Whether you're modernizing digital services or improving accessibility, this guide serves as a valuable tool for creating innovative, user-friendly, and compliant government web-based application solutions.
Click here to view the PDF
541511 Custom Computer Programming
541512 Computer Systems Design Services
541519 Other Computer Related Services
