This checklist is for Chapter 5 Section 503 of the final rule. When internal reference numbers are used (i.e. 503.2) they refer to the specific paragraph in the final rule 503.2 (Chapter 5 Section 503 subsection 2). External reference numbers are contained in Chapter 7: Reference Standards of the final rule.

General. Applications shall conform to Section 508, Chapter 5, 503.

E201.1 Scope. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) that is procured, developed, maintained, or used by agencies shall conform to the Revised 508 Standards.

E205.4 Accessibility Standard. Electronic content shall conform to Level A and Level AA Success Criteria and Conformance Requirements in WCAG 2.0 (incorporated by reference). For referenced standards, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and Section 255 of the Communications Act, See Chapter 7.

You may access a customizable quick reference to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2 requirements (success criteria) and techniques.

Severity Level Grading Criteria

Critical: This issue results in severe barriers for users with disabilities, either because the content is blocked or functionality is inoperable. It causes global issues across the project because people with disabilities are unable to use it. This violation must be resolved before content/functionality can be considered fully compliant. Remediation should be a top priority.

High: This issue results in significant barriers for individuals with disabilities. Some important content/functionality is not accessible. Users of Assistive Technology may not be able to access all content and/or functionality. Remediation should be a priority.

Medium: This issue results in some barriers for individuals with disabilities but will not prevent them from accessing fundamental elements or content. This violation must be resolved before content/functionality can be considered fully compliant.

Low: This issue has minimal impact on users with disabilities. It may be a technical violation of the law, but it doesn’t make the content inaccessible. This content/functionality should be remediated to be considered fully compliant, but remediation can be given a low priority.

Applications Success Criteria Checklist

Download the Applications Success Criteria Checklist (PDF, 3 pages, 148 KB)

Reference Number	Security Level	Applications Success Criteria	Yes, No, or Not Present
503.2	High	User Preferences. Applications shall permit user preferences from platform settings for color, contrast, font type, font size, and focus cursor. EXCEPTION: Applications that are designed to be isolated from their underlying platform software, including Web applications, shall not be required to conform to Section 508, Chapter 5, 503.2. When the color settings in the Windows Control Panel Display setting are modified, does the application use the new settings? Note: this requires admin rights on the machine to check. When the high contrast in the Windows Ease of Access Center is activated, does the application use the high contrast? When the user changes the font size in the Windows Control Panel Display setting, does the application use the font size selected. When the font cursor (Mouse Pointer) in the Windows Ease of Access Center is changed does the application use the font cursor chosen?
503.3	Critical	Alternative User Interfaces. Where an application provides an alternative user interface that functions as assistive technology, the application shall use platform and other industry standard accessibility services. If the application provides an alternative user interface that functions as Assistive technology, does that interface use the platform accessibility services?
503.4.1	Medium	Caption Controls. Where user controls are provided for volume adjustment, ICT shall provide user controls for the selection of captions at the same menu level as the user controls for volume or program selection.
503.4.2	Medium	Audio Description Controls. Where user controls are provided for program selection, ICT shall provide user controls for the selection of audio descriptions at the same menu level as the user controls for volume or program selection.