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Re: VPATs for Word, PPT, Excel, etc.

for

From: Ryan E. Benson
Date: Jun 4, 2018 4:55PM

I would recommend formally asking to talk to the 508 Coordinator or their
delegate. My agency would expect a checklist for the file types, and our
web checklist for the course - assuming it is an online training, vs
in-person. Our checklist is 3.5 pages long.

> an 84-page document on how to test Word files for accessibility!

I remember when this came out, I honestly laughed. The point of the 84 page
document is to cover every possible nook and cranny. The following may be
helpful: https://section508.gov/test

--
Ryan E. Benson

On Sat, Jun 2, 2018 at 7:46 PM, Emily Ogle via WebAIM-Forum <
<EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:

> Well, it would seem it is entirely plausible an agency would insist on a
> VPAT for each deliverable, eg, Word, PPT, etc, because that's happened.
>
> This is unexpected so I'm looking to find out what they're really
> expecting since we'd have to rethink our strategy by quite a bit. When I
> asked the DHS what the typical expectation was, I was given a link to the
> trusted tester page, in which there was, among several files, an 84-page
> document on how to test Word files for accessibility!
>
> We're providing training on how to make PPTs etc accessible, but a VPAT
> for each seems like overkill.
>
> > On Jun 2, 2018, at 11:02 AM, Duff Johnson < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
> >
> > So, looking for clarity here…
> >
> > a) Is it reasonable or plausible that an agency might demand a VPAT for
> each deliverable?
> >
> > b) Is it reasonable to expect that "deliverable" can be construed to
> include documents?
> >
> > c) That while the form of the VPAT must be explicable, the actual nature
> of the VPAT itself, on a per-document basis, is up to the agency (vendor,
> whatever), providing the document under terms that include a VPAT….yes?
> Seems obvious, but always best to ask.
> >
> > If all of these are true I have a follow-up question.
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Duff.
> >
> >>> On Jun 1, 2018, at 22:49, Ryan E. Benson < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> VPAT has the word "Voluntary" in it, which to me means "whatever you
> >> want."
> >>
> >> This is incorrect. Yes the V is for voluntary, meaning "here's the
> >> documentation without asking for it." If the government asks, you either
> >> provide the PAT or risk losing the contract. The company is still able
> to
> >> deny the request, but it's not in your best interest. In terms of
> Emily's
> >> question, contract language [often] says provide a VPAT for all
> >> deliverables. The checklists I mentioned are an alternative to a VPAT
> for
> >> docs. These are often written in non-legalese to make things easier.
> >>
> >>> The government would be better served if they required certification of
> >> documents files for Sec. 508 compliant (WCAG 2.0, PDF/UA-1).
> >>
> >> A VPAT is literally just that. It is a document that says "We,
> [company],
> >> certify our deliverable meets these standards." As an example, HHS' has
> >>
> >> d) Respondents to this solicitation must identify any exception to
> Section
> >> 508 requirements. If a offeror claims its supplies or services meet
> >> applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, and it is later
> determined
> >> by the Government, i.e., after award of a contract or order, that
> supplies
> >> or services delivered do not conform to the described accessibility
> >> standards, remediation of the supplies or services to the level of
> >> conformance specified in the contract will be the responsibility of the
> >> Contractor at its expense.
> >>
> >> Source:
> >> https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-
> regulations/hhsar/part-352-solicitation-provisions-
> contract-clauses/index.html#352.239-73
> >>
> >> In English, vendors must document their deliverables meet HHS'
> standards,
> >> the government reserves the right to double check, and if the
> government
> >> finds issues prior to acceptance, the vendor must fix it. GSA has some
> >> high-level guidance to develop language like I quoted above at:
> >> https://section508.gov/buy/define-accessibility-criteria.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Ryan E. Benson
> >>
> >>> On Fri, Jun 1, 2018 at 4:47 PM, < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
> >>>
> >>> No.
> >>> VPAT has the word "Voluntary" in it, which to me means "whatever you
> want."
> >>>
> >>> The government would be better served if they required certification of
> >>> documents files for Sec. 508 compliant (WCAG 2.0, PDF/UA-1). Use any
> of our
> >>> free or not-so-free tools such as:
> >>>
> >>> Acrobat Pro DC:2018
> >>> Word and PowerPoint built-in checker
> >>> Axes 4
> >>> PAC-3
> >>> NetCentric's Validator
> >>>
> >>> Generally, we find that if the file passes any combo of two of these,
> then
> >>> it's usually ok, but of course, the best testing is done my
> knowledgeable
> >>> humans!
> >>>
> >>> --Bevi Chagnon
> >>>
> >>> — — —
> >>> Bevi Chagnon, founder/CEO | <EMAIL REMOVED>
> >>> — — —
> >>> PubCom: Technologists for Accessible Design + Publishing
> >>> consulting ' training ' development ' design ' sec. 508 services
> >>> Upcoming classes at www.PubCom.com/classes
> >>> — — —
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>