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508 Compliance | Communifire Documentation

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508 Compliance

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At Axero, we strive to ensure that our product is consistent with governmental regulations and accessibility standards. This wiki provides an overview of how Communifire implements Section 508. 

What is Section 508 Compliance

In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities. Inaccessible technology interferes with an ability to obtain and use information quickly and easily. Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, open new opportunities for people with disabilities, and encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals.

Some of the Section 508 Technical Standards are as follows:

  • Software Applications and Operating Systems: includes accessibility to software, e.g. keyboard navigation & focus is supplied by a web browser.
  • Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications: assures accessibility to web content, e.g., text description for any visuals such that users of with a disability or users that need assistive technology such as screen readers and refreshable Braille displays, can access the content.
  • Videos or Multimedia Products: includes requirements for captioning and audio description of multimedia products such as training or informational multimedia productions.
  • Self-Contained, Closed Products: products where end users cannot typically add or connect their own assistive technologies, such as information kiosks, copiers, and fax machines. This standard links to the other standards and generally requires that access features be built into these systems.
  • Desktop and Portable Computers: discusses accessibility related to standardized ports, and mechanically operated controls such as keyboards and touch screens.


    Why do we need it?

    • To make information technology and electronic media accessible to all.

    • Our solutions and portals aim for the highest customer satisfaction, in that case they should be made as user friendly as possible.

    • This not only expands our solutions to sell globally but also increases the number and different types of people who use it.

    Overall Accessibility Features

    Communifire supports the following accessibility requirements

    • Keyboard Functions: Communifire enables the keyboard feature of the browser (Navigation through different menu items via keyboard Alt+F9 , Alt+F10 , Shift+Tab , Esc has been implemented, The “Chat” window at the bottom of the page is now accessible via keyboard).

    • Focus: Communifire uses the browsers capabilities to help enable focus.

    • Text Equivalents: Text description are provided for most images (A tooltip for “@” and “#” visible while posting something on the wall under the “What’s on your mind” section has been implemented).

    • Fonts: Size of text has been increased.

    • Colors: Users can alter the color contrast for better visibility without any changes to the functionality (Button sizes have been increased. eg. “X” button for deleting message threads) 


1194.21 Software Applications and Operating Systems

Criteria Supporting Feature Remarks & Explanations
(a) When software is designed to run on a system that has a keyboard, product functions shall be executable from a keyboard where the function itself or the result of performing a function can be discerned textually. Supported  
(b) Applications shall not disrupt or disable activated features of other products that are identified as accessibility features, where those features are developed and documented according to industry standards. Applications also shall not disrupt or disable activated features of any operating system that are identified as  accessibility features where the application programming interface for those accessibility features has been documented by the manufacturer of the operating system and is available to the product developer. Supported Communifire does not disrupt or disable Windows operating system accessibility features such as filter keys, toggle keys, sticky keys, and the on-screen keyboard.
(c) A well-defined on-screen indication of the current focus shall be provided that moves among interactive interface elements as the input focus changes. The focus shall be programmatically exposed so that Assistive Technology can track focus and focus changes. Supported There are a few sections where the focus is lost. At some places the focus contrast may not be sufficient.
(d) Sufficient information about a user interface element including the identity, operation and state of the element shall be available to Assistive Technology. When an image represents a program element, the information conveyed by the image must also be available in text. Supported with limitations Communifire has an option to provide a caption for an image. The caption is not always visible on hovering the mouse on an image or by using TAB key.
(e) When bitmap images are used to identify controls, status indicators, or other programmatic elements, the meaning assigned to those images shall be consistent throughout an application's performance. Supported  
(f) Textual information shall be provided through operating system functions for displaying text. The minimum information that shall be made available is text content, text input caret location, and text attributes. Supported  
(g) Applications shall not override user selected contrast and color selections and other individual display attributes. Supported  
(h) When animation is displayed, the information shall be displayable in at least one non-animated presentation mode at the option of the user. Not Applicable  
(i) Color coding shall not be used as the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element. Supported  
(j) When a product permits a user to adjust color and contrast settings, a variety of color selections capable of producing a range of contrast levels shall be provided. Supported  
(k) Software shall not use flashing or blinking text, objects, or other elements having a flash or blink frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz. Supported  
(l) When electronic forms are used, the form shall allow people using Assistive Technology to access the information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues.  Supported  

 1194.22 Web-based Internet information and applications

Criteria Supporting Feature Remarks & Explanations
(a) A text equivalent for every non-text element shall be provided (e.g., via "alt", "longdesc", or in element content). Supported  
(b) Equivalent alternatives for any multimedia presentation shall be synchronized with the presentation. Not Applicable  
(c) Web pages shall be designed so that all information conveyed with color is also available without color, for example from context  Supported  
(d) Documents shall be organized so they are readable without requiring an associated style sheet. Supported  
(e) Redundant text links shall be provided for each active region of a server-side image map. Not applicable  
(f) Client-side image maps shall be provided instead of server-side image maps except where the regions cannot be defined with an available geometric shape. Not Applicable  
(g) Row and column headers shall be identified for data tables. Supported  
(h) Markup shall be used to associate data cells and header cells for data tables that have two or more logical levels of row or column headers. Supported with limitations  
(i) Frames shall be titled with text that facilitates frame identification and navigation. Supported  
(j) Pages shall be designed to avoid causing the screen to flicker with a frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz. Supported Communifire does not create flickering content. 
(k) A text-only page, with equivalent information or functionality, shall be provided to make a web site comply with the provisions of this part, when compliance cannot be accomplished in any other way. The content of the text-only page shall be updated whenever the primary page changes. Supported with exception Communifire allows downloading of the document in a PDF format.
(l) When pages utilize scripting languages to display content, or to create interface elements, the information provided by the script shall be identified with functional text that can be read by Assistive Technology.  Supported  
(m) When a web page requires that an applet, plug-in or other application be present on the client system to interpret page content, the page must provide a link to a plug-in or applet that complies with §1194.21(a) through (l).  Not Applicable  
(n) When electronic forms are designed to be completed on-line, the form shall allow people using Assistive Technology to access the information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues. Supported   
(o) A method shall be provided that permits users to skip repetitive navigation links.  Supported  
(p) When a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted and given sufficient time to indicate more time is required.  Supported  

1194.23 Telecommunications Products

Criteria Supporting Feature Remarks & Explanations
(a) Telecommunications products or systems which provide a function allowing voice  communication and which do not themselves provide a TTY functionality shall provide a standard non-acoustic connection point for TTYs. Microphones shall be capable of being turned on and off to allow the user to intermix speech with TTY use. Not Applicable  
(b) Telecommunications products which include voice communication functionality shall support all commonly used cross-manufacturer non-proprietary standard TTY signal protocols. Not Applicable  
(c) Voice mail, auto-attendant, and interactive voice response telecommunications systems shall be usable by TTY users with their TTYs. Not Applicable  
(d) Voice mail, messaging, auto-attendant, and interactive voice response telecommunications systems that require a response from a user within a time interval, shall give an alert when the time interval is about to run out, and shall provide sufficient time for the user to indicate more time is required. Not Applicable  
(e) Where provided, caller identification and similar telecommunications functions shall also be available for users of TTYs, and for users who cannot see displays. Not Applicable  
(f) For transmitted voice signals, telecommunications products shall provide a gain adjustable up to a minimum of 20 dB. For incremental volume control, at least one intermediate step of 12 dB of gain shall be provided. Not Applicable  
(g) If the telecommunications product allows a user to adjust the receive volume, a function shall be provided to automatically reset the volume to the default level after every use. Not Applicable  
(h) Where a telecommunications product delivers output by an audio transducer which is normally held up to the ear, a means for effective magnetic wireless coupling to hearing technologies shall be provided. Not Applicable  
(i) Interference to hearing technologies (including hearing aids, cochlear implants, and assistive listening devices) shall be reduced to the lowest possible level that allows a user of hearing technologies to utilize the telecommunications product. Not Applicable  
(j) Products that transmit or conduct information or communication, shall pass through cross-manufacturer, non-proprietary, industry-standard codes, translation protocols, formats or other information necessary to provide the information or communication in a usable format. Technologies which use encoding, signal compression, format transformation, or similar techniques shall not remove information needed for access or shall restore it upon delivery. Not Applicable  
(k)(1) Products which have mechanically operated controls or keys shall comply with the following: Controls and Keys shall be tactilely discernible without activating the controls or keys. Not Applicable  
(k)(2) Products which have mechanically operated controls or keys shall comply with the following: Controls and Keys shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate controls and keys shall be 5 lbs. (22.2N) maximum. Not Applicable  
(k)(3) Products which have mechanically operated controls or keys shall comply with the following: If key repeat is supported, the delay before repeat shall be adjustable to at least 2 seconds. Key repeat rate shall be adjustable to 2 seconds per character. Not Applicable  
(k)(4) Products which have mechanically operated controls or keys shall comply with the following: The status of all locking or toggle controls or keys shall be visually discernible, and discernible either through touch or sound. Not Applicable  

1194.24 Video and Multi-Media Products

Criteria Supporting Feature Remarks & Explanations
a) All analog television displays 13 inches and larger, and computer equipment that includes analog television receiver or display circuitry, shall be equipped with caption decoder circuitry which appropriately receives, decodes, and displays closed captions from broadcast, cable, videotape, and DVD signals. As soon as practicable, but not later than July 1, 2002, widescreen digital television (DTV) displays measuring at least 7.8 inches vertically, DTV sets with conventional displays measuring at least 13 inches vertically, and stand-alone DTV tuners, whether or not they are marketed with display screens, and computer equipment that includes DTV receiver or display circuitry, shall be equipped with caption decoder circuitry which appropriately receives, decodes, and displays closed captions from broadcast, cable, videotape, and DVD signals. Not Applicable  
(b) Television tuners, including tuner cards for use in computers, shall be equipped with secondary audio program playback circuitry. Not Applicable  
(c) All training and informational video and multimedia productions which support the agency's mission, regardless of format, that contain speech or other audio information  necessary for the comprehension of the content, shall be open or closed captioned. Not Applicable  
(d) All training and informational video and multimedia productions which support the agency's mission, regardless of format, that contain visual information necessary for the comprehension of the content, shall be audio described. Not Applicable  
(e) Display or presentation of alternate text presentation or audio descriptions shall be user-selectable unless permanent. Not Applicable  

1194.25 Self-Contained, Closed Products

Criteria Supporting Feature Remarks & Explanations
(a) Self-contained products shall be usable by people with disabilities without requiring an end-user to attach Assistive Technology to the product. Personal headsets for private listening are not Assistive Technology. Not Applicable  
(b) When a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted and given sufficient time to indicate more time is required. Not Applicable  
(c) Where a product utilizes touchscreens or contact-sensitive controls, an input method shall be provided that complies with §1194.23 (k) (1) through (4). Not Applicable  
(d) When biometric forms of user identification or control are used, an alternative form of identification or activation, which does not require the user to possess particular biological characteristics, shall also be provided. Not Applicable  
(e) When products provide auditory output, the audio signal shall be provided at a standard signal level through an industry standard connector that will allow for private listening. The product must provide the ability to interrupt, pause, and restart the audio at any time. Not Applicable  
(f) When products deliver voice output in a public area, incremental volume control shall be provided with output amplification up to a level of at least 65 dB. Where the ambient noise level of the environment is above 45 dB, a volume gain of at least 20 dB above the ambient level shall be user selectable. A function shall be provided to automatically reset the volume to the default level after every use. Not Applicable  
(g) Color coding shall not be used as the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element. Not Applicable  
(h) When a product permits a user to adjust color and contrast settings, a range of color selections capable of producing a variety of contrast levels shall be provided. Not Applicable  
(i) Products shall be designed to avoid causing the screen to flicker with a frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz. Not Applicable  
(j) (1) Products which are freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which have operable controls shall comply with the following: The position of any operable control shall be determined with respect to a vertical plane, which is 48 inches in length, centered on the operable control, and at the maximum protrusion of the product within the 48 inch length on products which are freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which have operable controls. Not Applicable  
(j)(2) Products which are freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which have operable controls shall comply with the following: Where any operable control is 10 inches or less behind the reference plane, the height shall be 54 inches maximum and 15 inches minimum above the floor. Not Applicable  
(j)(3) Products which are freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which have operable controls shall comply with the following: Where any operable control is more than 10 inches and not more than 24 inches behind the reference plane, the height shall be 46 inches maximum and 15 inches minimum above the floor. Not Applicable  
(j)(4) Products which are freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which have operable controls shall comply with the following: Operable controls shall not be more than 24 inches behind the reference plane. Not Applicable  

1194.26 Desktop and Portable Computers

Criteria Supporting Feature Remarks & Explanations
(a) All mechanically operated controls and keys shall comply with §1194.23 (k) (1) through (4). Not Applicable  
(b) If a product utilizes touchscreens or touch-operated controls, an input method shall be provided that complies with §1194.23 (k) (1) through (4). Not Applicable  
(c) When biometric forms of user identification or control are used, an alternative form of identification or activation, which does not require the user to possess particular biological characteristics, shall also be provided. Not Applicable  
(d) Where provided, at least one of each type of expansion slots, ports and connectors shall comply with publicly available industry standards Not Applicable  

1194.31 Functional Performance Criteria

Criteria Supporting Feature Remarks & Explanations
(a) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user vision shall be provided, or support for Assistive Technology used by people who are blind or visually impaired shall be provided. Not Applicable  
(b) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require visual acuity greater than 20/70 shall be provided in audio and enlarged print output working together or independently, or support for Assistive Technology used by people who are visually impaired shall be provided. Not Applicable  
(c) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user hearing shall be provided, or support for Assistive Technology used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing shall be provided Not Applicable  
(d) Where audio information is important for the use of a product, at least one mode of operation and information retrieval shall be provided in an  enhanced auditory fashion, or support for assistive hearing devices shall be provided. Not Applicable  
(e) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user speech shall be provided, or support for Assistive Technology used by people with disabilities shall be provided. Not Applicable  
(f) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require fine motor control or simultaneous actions and that is operable with limited reach and strength shall be provided. Not Applicable  

1194.41 Information, Documentation and Support

Criteria Supporting Feature Remarks & Explanations
(a) Product support documentation provided to end-users shall be made available in alternate formats upon request, at no additional charge Supported  
(b) End-users shall have access to a description of the accessibility and compatibility features of products in alternate formats or alternate methods upon request, at no additional charge. Supported  
(c) Support services for products shall accommodate the communication needs of end-users with disabilities. Not Applicable  

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