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 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 causes minimal impact for users with disabilities. This may be a technical violation of the law but doesn’t make the content inaccessible. This content/functionality should be remediated in order 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 | Severity 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 | Audio Description or Media Alternative (Pre- recorded): An alternative for time-based media or audio description of the prerecorded video content is provided for synchronized media, except when the media is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such. (Level A) If the application provides an alternative user interface that functions as Assistive technology, does that interface use the platform accessibility services? | |
| 503.4.2 | Medium | Captions (Live): Captions are provided for all live audio content in synchronized media. (Level AA) If the video player allows for program selections, does it also allow for the selection of audio descriptions at the same menu level as the volume or program selection control? |
