WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

Re: Fwd: VPAT for U508

for

From: Jonathan Avila
Date: Feb 5, 2021 6:55AM

> take out the AAA table in the final VPAT.
>> This is bad advice! Looking at the VPAT instructions, it states

The VPAT format does allow for tables to be removed when they don't apply and since AAA doesn't apply to 508 - for example when using an international ACR it would make sense to remove the table and state that fact. The template states "In the Section 508 tables, when subsections of criteria do not apply to the product, the section may be summarized or removed as long as an explanation is provided explaining why a criterion does not apply."

> "Depending on the risk of the product, I would either ignore it or require the vendor to complete the VPAT again because they have not read the 11 pages of instructions/help on how to complete it!"

I would hope that the agency would procure the most accessible product that meets the business needs and not reject a VPAT because folks interpret the instructions differently for a section that doesn't even apply to Section 508. The spirit of Section is to empower people with disabilities.

Jonathan

-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum < <EMAIL REMOVED> > On Behalf Of Ryan E. Benson
Sent: Thursday, February 4, 2021 11:00 PM
To: WebAIM Discussion List < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Fwd: VPAT for U508

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.


Jerra said

> take out the AAA table in the final VPAT.

This is bad advice! Looking at the VPAT instructions, it states

ยท *Not Evaluated*: The product has not been evaluated against
the criterion.
This can only be used in WCAG 2.x Level AAA.
So editing the VPAT template in this way is not a great idea. I would say a VPAT that deleted the tables would be invalid and reject the VPAT.
Depending on the risk of the product, I would either ignore it or require the vendor to complete the VPAT again because they have not read the 11 pages of instructions/help on how to complete it!

--
Ryan E. Benson



On Wed, Jan 20, 2021 at 3:10 PM Jerra Strong < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I don't see any attachment, but to answer your questions about 508, I
> would start by reading the instructions and best practices in the VPAT
> template itself, (you can get it from the ITI VPAT Website
> <https://www.itic.org/policy/accessibility/vpat>).
>
> 1. Section 508 specifically mentions WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA, so those
> are a part of the Section 508 requirements. Level AAA is optional,
> and if you don't test against level AAA, take out the AAA table in the final VPAT.
>
> 2. In the VPAT, you will see the 508 table after the WCAG table, but
> you will have to go to section508.gov (or read the Section 508 rule
> itself on
>
> https://www.access-board.gov/ict/#508-chapter-1-application-and-admini
> stration
> )
> to see what the definition of success for each item is (just like you
> have to go to the WCAG documentation to understand the requirements
> for WCAG 1.1.1).
>
> On Wed, Jan 20, 2021 at 11:16 AM Account 1 < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
>
> > Dear Friends,
> > Requesting you to please help me with the below-mentioned points.
> > I am following the attached VPAT document for U508 *Questions :* 1.
> > When a client asked for U508 guidelines for assessment, do we need
> > also test the application using the WCAG 2.0 guidelines.
> > 2. Do we have detailed success criteria numbers for U508 as like WCAG.
> > For Example: In the VPAT document "Table 1: Success Criteria,
> > Level A", in the first row. We have success criteria number *1.1.1*
> > for Non-Text content, similarly do we have any number like that for
> > Non-Text content
> in
> > *U508* or it is enough putting them as follows " Also applies to
> Revised
> > Section 508: 501 (Web)(Software)". Kindly help me with this.
> > Regards,
> > PU
> > > > > > archives at http://webaim.org/discussion/archives
> > > >
>
>
> --
> Jerra Strong
> Interim Accessible Conformance and Design Specialist
> UNLV|Office of Accessibility Resources
> Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Programs <EMAIL REMOVED>
> *Pronouns: He/Him/His*
> > > archives at http://webaim.org/discussion/archives
> >