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Re: Accessible Applications

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From: Karl Groves
Date: May 12, 2008 4:20PM

Darian,

Can you please cite a source which states that a VPAT is mandatory?

Karl Groves
AIM/YIM: karlcore
Skype: eight.pistons
www.WebAccessStrategies.com


> -----Original Message-----
> From: <EMAIL REMOVED> [mailto:webaim-forum-
> <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Darian Glover
> Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 5:27 PM
> To: WebAIM Discussion List
> Cc: <EMAIL REMOVED> ; <EMAIL REMOVED> ;
> <EMAIL REMOVED> ; <EMAIL REMOVED> ;
> <EMAIL REMOVED> ; <EMAIL REMOVED> ; lyris-confirm-
> <EMAIL REMOVED> ; <EMAIL REMOVED> ; Korey J Singleton
> Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Accessible Applications
>
> The U.S. Federal Government mandated that all technology, software and
> hardware, be accessible with Section 508. During procurement a
> Voluntary
> Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is required from the vendor.
> Yes,
> it's labeled voluntary but is required. Adherence to this requirement
> varies within the government, but is increasing.
>
> Most vendors who deal with the government comply by producing VPATs for
> their products. This does not mean the products are 100% accessible.
> The
> job of the VPAT is to identify how accessible the product is. Most
> people
> acknowledge we are a ways off from having everything comply with
> Section 508
> or be accessible. (Just because something complies with the letter of
> Section 508 does not mean it is accessible in spirit or practice.)
>
> Example VPATs:
> http://www.adobe.com/resources/accessibility/tools/vpat/
> http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/products/section508.mspx
>
> Information on the VPAT for vendors:
> http://www.itic.org/archives/articles/20040506/faq_voluntary_product_ac
> cessibility_template_vpat.php
>
>
> Darian.
>
>
>
> On Mon, May 12, 2008 at 3:01 PM, Kara Zirkle < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
>
> > Is anyone using any of the following applications or products and if
> so
> > could you please give me some input on whether or not they are
> > accessible to individuals with disabilities or meet Section 508
> > Compliance? Also, if anyone has done research on similar
> applications
> > and chose not to go with one of the following applications what
> > application did you go with that was more accessible?
> >
> > Applications such as:
> >
> > Adobe Breeze; Townhall; Blackboard; Respondus; CMS' Droople,
> Paperthin,
> > Commonspot and Figleaf; Luminous; Hawkeye software assets tracking;
> > Email applications GoogleApps, Microsoft Live or Exchange Labs;
> various
> > Blog Platforms (ex. Wordpress); various Survey Software; Banner and
> > other Sunguard applications; SkillPort; iTunes U Podcasting;
> Accordent
> > Capture; SharePoint 2007; Microsoft VISTA; ILLiad (interlibrary loan
> > management system); VuFind; Basecamp; GMPLS (generalized
> multiprotocol
> > label switching); AppWorx; and Touchnet software
> >
> > Also, has anyone contacted vendors directly asking for changes to be
> > made in response to accessibility if contract language wasn't
> originally
> > in the picture? Can anyone make any suggestions about this?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > --
> > Kara Zirkle
> > IT Accessibility Coordinator
> > Assistive Technology Initiative
> > Thompson Hall RM 114 Mail Stop: 6A11
> > Fairfax Campus
> > 4400 University Drive
> > Fairfax, VA 22030
> > Phone: 703-993-9815
> > Fax: 703-993-4743
> > http://www.gmu.edu/accessibility/ati/home.html
> >
> >