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Thread: Fwd: VPAT for U508

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Number of posts in this thread: 8 (In chronological order)

From: Account 1
Date: Wed, Jan 20 2021 12:13PM
Subject: Fwd: VPAT for U508
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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

From: Jerra Strong
Date: Wed, Jan 20 2021 1:10PM
Subject: Re: Fwd: VPAT for U508
← Previous message | Next message →

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-administration)
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 ADDRESS 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
> > > > >


--
Jerra Strong
Interim Accessible Conformance and Design Specialist
UNLV|Office of Accessibility Resources
Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Programs
= EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
*Pronouns: He/Him/His*

From: Ryan E. Benson
Date: Thu, Feb 04 2021 8:50PM
Subject: Re: Fwd: VPAT for U508
← Previous message | Next message →

1. When a client asked for U508 guidelines for assessment, do we need
also test the application using the WCAG 2.0 guidelines.

There is a 508 version of the VPAT. Use that version versus the generic
VPAT v 2.0. Section 508 adopts wcag. If your company is not knowledgeable
about the contract you agreed to, you need to probably sub-contract.

2. Do we have detailed success criteria numbers for U508 as like WCAG.

There are brief overviews of the 508 standards.

--
Ryan E. Benson


On Wed, Jan 20, 2021 at 2:16 PM Account 1 < = EMAIL ADDRESS 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
> > > > >

From: Ryan E. Benson
Date: Thu, Feb 04 2021 8:59PM
Subject: Re: Fwd: VPAT for U508
← Previous message | Next message →

Jerra said

> take out the AAA table in the final VPAT.

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

· *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 ADDRESS 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-administration
> )
> 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 ADDRESS 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
> > > > > > > > > >
>
>
> --
> Jerra Strong
> Interim Accessible Conformance and Design Specialist
> UNLV|Office of Accessibility Resources
> Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Programs
> = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
> *Pronouns: He/Him/His*
> > > > >

From: Jerra Strong
Date: Thu, Feb 04 2021 9:18PM
Subject: Re: Fwd: VPAT for U508
← Previous message | Next message →

Ryan, it does also say on Page 7 that "if the product is not being
evaluated for a level of the criteria (for example Level AAA) then that
table may be deleted".

The template is meant to be (somewhat) customizable. Within reason, of
course, there are definitely "deal breakers" in the instructions, and that
I've encountered in my work.

I would LOVE to be able to reject all VPATS that didn't follow directions,
then I wouldn't have to wade through 11 pages of instructions from
inexperienced vendors' VPATs! Sounds excellent.

On Thu, Feb 4, 2021 at 8:00 PM Ryan E. Benson < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:

> Jerra said
>
> > take out the AAA table in the final VPAT.
>
> This is bad advice! Looking at the VPAT instructions, it states
>
> · *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 ADDRESS 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-administration
> > )
> > 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 ADDRESS 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
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Jerra Strong
> > Interim Accessible Conformance and Design Specialist
> > UNLV|Office of Accessibility Resources
> > Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Programs
> > = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
> > *Pronouns: He/Him/His*
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > >
--
Jerra Strong
Interim Accessible Conformance and Design Specialist
UNLV|Office of Accessibility Resources
Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Programs
= EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
*Pronouns: He/Him/His*

From: Jonathan Avila
Date: Fri, Feb 05 2021 6:55AM
Subject: Re: Fwd: VPAT for U508
← Previous message | Next message →

> 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 ADDRESS REMOVED = > On Behalf Of Ryan E. Benson
Sent: Thursday, February 4, 2021 11:00 PM
To: WebAIM Discussion List < = EMAIL ADDRESS 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

· *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 ADDRESS 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 ADDRESS 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 ADDRESS REMOVED =
> *Pronouns: He/Him/His*
> > > archives at http://webaim.org/discussion/archives
> >

From: Jonathan Avila
Date: Fri, Feb 05 2021 6:58AM
Subject: Re: Fwd: VPAT for U508
← Previous message | Next message →

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

The VPAT template states "If the product is not being evaluated for a level of the criteria (for example Level AAA) then that table may be deleted."

Jonathan

-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > On Behalf Of Jonathan Avila
Sent: Friday, February 5, 2021 8:56 AM
To: WebAIM Discussion List < = EMAIL ADDRESS 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.


> 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 ADDRESS REMOVED = > On Behalf Of Ryan E. Benson
Sent: Thursday, February 4, 2021 11:00 PM
To: WebAIM Discussion List < = EMAIL ADDRESS 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

· *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 ADDRESS 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 ADDRESS 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 ADDRESS REMOVED =
> *Pronouns: He/Him/His*
> > > archives at http://webaim.org/discussion/archives
> >

From: Patrick H. Lauke
Date: Fri, Feb 05 2021 9:34AM
Subject: Re: Fwd: VPAT for U508
← Previous message | No next message

On 05/02/2021 13:55, Jonathan Avila wrote:
> 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.
As a probably weird aside, I just wanted to jump in and high-five
Jonathan for calling it an ACR (I thought I was the only pedant around
that insisted that "VPAT is the *template* ... what comes out of it at
the other end is the ACR" - a la "Frankenstein was the doctor, not the
monster". Then again even ITI end up calling the end result a VPAT, so
perhaps it's a losing battle either way...)

P
--
Patrick H. Lauke

https://www.splintered.co.uk/ | https://github.com/patrickhlauke
https://flickr.com/photos/redux/ | https://www.deviantart.com/redux
twitter: @patrick_h_lauke | skype: patrick_h_lauke