Whether a traditional file-based document or a webpage, the properties of the document are a key component to the third tenant of accessibility — accessing the information. Without the proper document properties, search engines are unable to assist users in finding and accessing relevant information.
Section 508 and document properties
The success criteria for documents requires the title of the document, but within the Office of Information and Technology we require the title, author, and keywords at a minimum. In all Office 365 tools you can find the document properties by selecting File > Info. The author should always be “U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs” and the parent organization such as “Office of Information and Technology,” and never a personal identifier. The accessibility checker in the current version of Office 365 products does not validate document properties, so it is important to make this a part of your basic work flow.
Files produced using the portable document format (PDF) must also have complete document properties. Access the properties panel by going to File > Properties when the document is open. Run the accessibility validate and correct document common properties.
Websites
All pages on a website must include the following information:
- Title
- Date last updated or reviewed (requires review at least every 12 months)
- Description of the content on or purpose of the page. Do not use abbreviations
Additional information concerning websites can be found on the VA Web Governance website.
