Unveiling the Importance of Section 508 Testing
What is Section 508 testing, and why is it important to you?
Did you know that everyone, including you, can make a substantial contribution and make a difference in ensuring that people with disabilities have equitable access to information and communication technology (ICT)?
Section 508 enables you to help enhance access to ICT for everyone, including people with disabilities. It is part of a 1998 amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that requires all federal electronic content to be accessible. The law was passed in response to the fact that unusable ICT makes it difficult for people with disabilities to communicate with the federal government or do their duties as employees or customers.
When the federal government develops, procures, maintains, or uses ICT, the ICT must meet the Revised Section 508 Standards. Section 508 mandates conformance with these standards, whether you are creating documents, designing presentations, developing websites, buying or building ICT products or services, or supporting ICT. It is therefore important for you to understand Section 508-related responsibilities and the standards applicable during 508 testing so you can do your part in contributing to accessibility.
508 compliance testing and Section 508 Standards
The Revised Section 508 Standards replaced the original product-based Section 508 Standards with an approach based on ICT functions. The related updated technical specifications, which are arranged in accordance with ICT functioning, provide requirements for making sure that the relevant hardware, software, electronic content, support materials, and services are accessible to those with disabilities.
Due to the extensive usage of multifunction devices brought on by technological advancements in the ICT sector over the past 20 years, Section 508 compliance testing must be conducted with extreme attention in order to guarantee the accuracy of the certification created as part of the 508 compliance testing.
Based on this, one of the main goals of the Revised Section 508 Standards was to switch over to functional requirements in place of the product-based approach to Section 508 testing. By doing this, accessibility for those with disabilities keeps up with ICT advancements.
Importance of Section 508 compliance testing
Making sure that all electronic material is accessible to people with various disabilities, such as those who have visual, hearing, or physical impairments, is the main goal of Section 508 compliance testing.
The testing procedure entails a thorough assessment of digital information to make sure it complies with Section 508 guidelines' requirements for accessibility. In order to make the information accessible to everyone, including people with impairments, it also entails fixing any accessibility problems that were found during testing. In this approach, Section 508 compliance testing is essential to establishing a diverse and inclusive online environment.
If you are still new to Section 508 testing, appraise yourself by taking a look at some of the technical specifications for Section 508 compliance for various electronic information technologies, such as laptops and desktop computers, closed and self-contained products like fax machines and kiosks, software applications and operating systems, products for telecommunication like hearing aids and assistive devices, videos and multimedia, the Internet, or intranet apps.
Testing for Section 508 compliance is based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. Digital properties must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust, according to the guidelines.
You stand to gain a great deal from giving Section 508 testing top priority, despite the fact that it may seem tough and have little to no payback. The following are some advantages you can anticipate:
- Broadening your target audience
- Averting expensive lawsuits
- Boosting web search visibility
- Enhancing the overall experience for users of your product or service
Get a professional 508-compliance tester to help you with Section 508 testing
To ensure that electronic and information technology is accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities, Section 508 compliance testing is a crucial procedure. Through the testing procedure, producers of digital content and other accessibility-related players can make sure that the products and services they offer comply with the Section 508 accessibility guidelines.
You can get help with all your Section 508 testing by talking to a Section 508 compliance tester at (626) 486-2201 to arrange a free consultation and a quick Section 508 testing quote.