Software Applications & Operating System Products

More Information

Section 508 - Software Standards
Accessibility Testing Techniques
Vendor Specific Accessibility Sites
Other Government Accessibility Web sites

Disability-Specific Guidance

This section contains resources for developers who are creating, maintaining or modifying software or operating systems products that must comply with the Section 508 Standards.

(NOTE: Many of the links on this page are to Web sites outside the U.S. EPA Web site)

General Guidance

Section 508 Standards for Software vs. W3C Accessibility Standards

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) accessibility standards do not match the Section 508 Standards exactly. The Section 508 Standards are more narrowly defined than the W3C's. Many web development tools so be sure you are familiar with the Section 508 Standards for Software Products.

Code

It is important to remember that good accessibility depends on good code. Clean, valid code is a basic assumption necessary for ensuring accessibility.

EPA Guidance Documents & Web sites

PDF Guidance
Section 508 Information Sessions
- Hardware & Software Briefing presentation (PDF) (62 pp, 3MB)

External Resources

Articles

Access Board

Adobe/Macromedia

Adobe Accessibility Resource Center
Flash
Director / Shockwave Player
- Director / Shockwave Player Accessibility
- Retrofitting Director MX Content for Accessibility

Microsoft

W3C

User Agent Accessibility Guidelines (UAAG) - guidelines for Web browsers, media players, assistive technologies, and other user agents
Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines (ATAG) - guidelines for web development software

Simulations

WebAIM has put together 4 simulations that allow you to see what users with various disabilities may experience when using assistive technology or simply interacting with a computer interface.

WebAIM Screen Reader Simulation - This simulation provides a way to experience what it is like to use a screen reader. A Web site, the University of the Antarctic, is presented as a screen reader user would experience it. Keyboard shortcuts are provided to navigate within the site and find specific pieces of information.
WebAIM Low Vision Simulation
WebAIM Dyslexia Simulation - A sample of a timed reading exercise. It was designed to give users an idea of the frustrations a person with dyslexia could experience while using the web.
WebAIM Distractibility Simulation - This simulation demonstrates how difficult it can be to navigate even a simple site when operating under an intense cognitive load as someone with a cognitive disability might experience.