Handbook AS-508-A - Section 508 Technical Reference Guide

1 Section 508 Technical Reference GuideHandbook AS-508-ASeptember 2004 Transmittal Using technology to enhance value is an integral part of the Postal Servicet sTransformation Plan. As we increase our reliance on electronic information systems tohelp us manage information and costs, improve service, and carry out our mission moreefficiently, we have an even greater responsibility to provide full access for ourcustomers, our employees, and those with whom we do business. This handbookprovides the tools to help each of us do that.

2 All functional organizations should use theinformation in this Handbook to understand, achieve, and maintain Section 508compliance. By achieving the goals of this law, we fulfill our mission of binding the nationtogether in the 21st is a Technical Reference Guide in support of Handbook AS-508. It breaks out thedetails of each of the sections of that Handbook and how they are tied to the Providing access to electronic forms of Postal Service information, products, andservices is both efficient and economic.

3 The techniques in this Handbook have an effecton employees, customers, suppliers. and business partners. Given the broad scope ofthe 508 law and its pervasive impact on information technology, collaborative efforts areneeded to successfully achieve organization-wide compliance. Consequently, theaudience for this Handbook spans the entire corporation. Although managers offunctional organizations within the Postal Service have direct responsibility for theconformance of their area, the coordinated efforts of cross-functional teams are vital torealize the mandates of the Section 508 This Handbook is available online and may be accessed both from theInternet and from the Postal Service the homepage, click on All Products & Services, then on Publications,then on Postal Periodicals and Publications.

4 Choose is also available on the Postal Service PolicyNet Intranet Web site:GGo to Essential Links in the left-hand column, click on References in the right-hand column, PolicyNet click on Comments and Questions. Send comments via email to: AS-508 in Effective Date. This Handbook is effective L. OttoVice PresidentInformation TechnologyContentsiiiSeptember 2004 Contents1 Introduction1.. 1-1 Policy1.. 1-2 History of Section 5081.. of the Law1.. of the Law: Technical Standards and Functional Performance Criteria2.

5 1-3 Compliance3.. of Compliance3.. of Justice4.. Service4.. Organizations4.. 1-4 Scope4.. Service Employees4.. Architecture and Information Infrastructure5.. 1-5 About This Handbook5.. Speaking5.. Chapters (1 4)5.. Chapters (5 11)5.. 1-6 Additional Sources for Accessibility6.. 2 Roles and Responsibilities7.. 2-1 Vice President/Chief Technology Officer7.. 2-2 Section 508 Program Manager, Information Technology7.. 2-3 Section 508 Technical Stewards9.. 2-4IT Portfolio Managers10.

6 2-5 Vice President, Labor Relations10.. 2-6 Vice President, Supply Management10.. 2-7 Vice President, General Counsel11.. 2-8 Vice President, Consumer Affairs11.. 2-9 Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications11.. 2-10 All Postal Service Officers11.. 2-11 All Functional Organizations12.. 2-12 Section 508 Stewards Liaisons for Accessibility12.. 2-13 Importance of Compliance13.. Section 508 Technical Reference GuideivHandbook AS-508-A3 Section 508 Overview of Accessibility15.. 3-1 What the Law Covers15.

7 Requirements15.. of Standards: Classes of Technology, Classes of Disability15.. 3-2 Rationale16.. 3-3 Assistive Technologies17.. Service Standards17.. 3-4 Guiding Principles18.. multiple Technical standards18.. both information itself and authoring tools that create information18.. all available techniques for access18.. 3-5 What is Compliance?19.. 4 Section 508 Postal Service Processes to Comply21.. 4-1 Background for Purchasing Compliant EIT21.. 4-2 Processes to Comply With Section 50822.

8 Standards and Functional Performance Criteria22.. and Buy22.. Procuring an EIT Solution22.. Developing or Maintaining an EIT Solution23.. Systems23.. 4-3 Policy24.. 4-4 Guiding Steps for the Purchase of an EIT Business Solution24.. 4-5 Integrated Systems Methodology (ISM) Overview27.. 4-6 About Exceptions and Undue Burden32.. Exceptions32.. Exceptions32.. Burden Exception33.. 4-7 Documentation of Exceptions33.. 4-8 Roles and Responsibilities33.. 4-9 Exception Documentation34.. 4-10 Preparing Undue Burden Justification34.

9 Appendix 4-A Template for Undue Burden Justification Documentation35.. 5 Software Applications and Operating Systems37.. 5-1 Overview37.. ContentsvSeptember and Use38.. to Software Accessibility39.. Requirements39.. for Compliance41.. 5-2 Keyboard Access41.. Keyboard Access to Menus42.. Keyboard Access to Toolbars42.. Keyboard Access to Window Elements43.. Keyboard Access to Controls44.. Keyboard Access to Commonly Used Functions45.. Latched and Locked Keyboard Access47.. 5-3 Activated Accessibility Features50.

10 Operating System Accessibility Features51.. Accessibility Features Through Use of Standard Controls, Frameworks, and APIs51.. Audio Accessibility Features51.. 5-4On-Screen Focus53.. Standard Controls to Expose Focus Information54.. Information for Associated Controls55.. 5-5 User Interface and Programmatic Elements58.. Standard UI Controls58.. Reliable Accessibility Frameworks for Nonstandard Controls59.. Other Key UI Objects Accessible59.. Information About Changed Images Accessible60.