Documentation:April 16 Draft
Documentation > April 16 Draft
Documentation and Technical Support subcommittee report 2nd drafts
This draft is cumulative – showing the complete draft to date, not just changes from the first draft.
Contents |
I. Material which can be described as “Changes to Existing Provisions”
- Modification – Material which modifies existing provisions.
- Rationale – Why is this change suggested?
- Estimate Economic Assessment. This field contains the Subcommittee’s rough guess of expense to implement a revised provision. These changes are measured from the current 508 standard only. For example, if the provision is not different, there is no net economic impact. Code as:
- “0” for negligible economic impact;
- “+” for minor economic impact;
- “++” for significant economic impact.
| Current provision | Keep current language? | Change in jurisdiction? | Modification | Rationale: Why is this change suggested? | Economic Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (a) Product support documentation provided to end-users shall be made available in alternate formats upon request, at no additional charge. | no | no | (a) Documentation provided in an accessible format
To provide documentation to users on the installation, configuration and use of the product, Federal agencies shall require that all documentation supporting the product, including but not limited to reports, system documentation and user training or technical support materials conform the relevant accessibility provisions in 1194 Subparts B and C. Best Practice Discussion: If the documentation supporting the product, reports or other documentation are to be provided via a contract, then the contract must include this requirement. | Is currently being interpreted in various ways, need to make more clear. | 0 |
| (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. | no | no | (b) Documentation includes accessibilty and compatibility features
Product documentation shall provide users with a description of the accessibility and compatibility features of the product, including how to install and activate them. This information shall be provided in alternate formats or alternate methods upon request. Best Practice Discussion: If the descriptions for the users regarding the accessibility and compatibility features of products in alternate formats are to be provided via a contract, then the contract should include this requirement. Best Practice Discussion: When the descriptions are posted online, links to any alternative formats should be available within close proximity to the original content. | Is currently being interpreted in various ways, need to make more clear. | 0 |
| (c) Support services for products shall accommodate the communication needs of end-users with disabilities. | no | no | (c) Appropriate communication methods
Support services for products shall accommodate the communication needs of end-users with disabilities. Best Practices Dicussion: Appropriate telecommunication media, include but are not limited to TTY, relay service, and video conference. Instructions should include appropriate interaction mechanism, including but not limited to keyboard equivalents required. | Is currently being interpreted in various ways, need to make more clear. | 0 |
II. New Provisions
| New provision | Rationale: What issue does this provision address? | Economic Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| (d) Documentation of keyboard shortcuts
Information about keyboard shortcuts shall be made available in documentation. 1. All shortcuts for keyboard operation shall be enumerated in one place for easy reference. 2. When the documentation lists specific mouse based actions, the keyboard commands shall also be listed. Best practices discussion: The purpose of these points is to ensure someone using the keyboard as a primary device has a complete set of instructions and doesn't have to look in a separate reference table for the information. | Improving access to this information. | + for those not already doing this,
0 for those that are. |
| (e) Best practice guidelines for documentation
NOTE: These are drafted as an example for how good practice could be included in the standard or in a guidance document. They are written as "should" statements to make it clear that they are recommended, not required. Best practices for providing documentation to people with disabilities that should be included are: 1. Context-sensitive help, which offers documentation or support for the features and functions of the current page, screen or window should be offered, using a consistent set of accessible commands to access it. 2. Remote assistance programs allow someone to access a computer system remotely to provide support or instruction. This ability to demonstrate features of the computer software or hardware is helpful to people with cognitive disabilities. Applications should either make such a feature available or not disrupt tools that provide it. 3. Documentation and training materials should include text descriptions of the interface. These descriptions should stand on their own and be understandable without relying on graphic images in the materials. 4. Descriptions of a user interface should refer to elements by name or function, in addition to their location in the visual interface. | To clarify good practices that may be missed. | + |
III. Other Material
A. Recommendations on organization of the provisions
B. Issues this subcommittee is not addressing, but which should be addressed.
Is it possible or appropriate to ensuring that any training or technical support provided accommodates the functional capabilities of all participants and provides meaningful support. This can include not only accessibility needs of individuals with disabilities (as participants or trainers) and means of communicating with individuals with disabilities before and after training, but also commonly used adaptive technology used with the manufacturers and provider's E&ITs; and Solutions for accessibility and compatibility.
C. Recommendations regarding process: the work of the subcommittees, the whole Committee, liaison with the Access Board, etc.
