Understanding and Applying Section 508 Standards

OSU requires web developers to meet or exceed the OSU Web Accessibility Policies and Standards, which are based on Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 508 requires that certain guidelines or priorities are met to insure those with visual, auditory, physical, mental, or learning disabilities are able to access electronic information.

Note: Many of the requirements defined by Section 508 are covered by Priority One and, to a lesser extent, Priority Two issues established by the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). While the WAC primarily uses the OSU Web Accessibility Policies and Standards as the guideline for identifying and evaluating an accessible site, in most cases, web designers meeting the WAI’s Priority One guidelines also will have met the minimum OSU standards.

Section 508, Subpart 1194.22: Web-based intranet and internet information and applications.

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Contents:

• (a) Alternate Descriptions for Non-Text Elements
• (b) Synchronization with Multimedia
• (c) Use Color for Design, not Context
• (d) Using Style Sheets
• (e) Server-Side Image Maps
• (f) Client-side Image Maps
• (g & h) Data Table Headers
• (i) Using Frames
• (j) Flashing or Flickering Elements
• (k) Updating Text-Only Versions
• (l) Using Scripts to Create Dynamic Pages
• (m) Using Applets and Plug-Ins
• (n) Using Online Forms
• (o) Skip Navigation Link
• (p) Using Time Out Scripts
• Review the Checklist of Standards
• Testing for 508 Compliance

NOTE: Novice designers and those with simple(basic)page design will want to pay special attention to sections A, C, D, F, G, H, I, J, N, and O. The other sections cover web elements usually only found in more complex sites that use advanced scripting techniques.

NOTE: Information in this tutorial adapted from the Section 508 web site: http://www.section508.gov and the Access Board's Guide to the Section 508 Standards for Electronic and Information Technology.

Of course, accessible web design doesn't end with meeting Section 508 standards. Find out more about designing and organizing your pages to further accessibility and usability by reviewing our online tutorial: Designing Accessible Web Pages, Intermediate Level.

Want more help with accessible web design? See the WAC's Top Ten Tips for Developing an Accessible Web Page.