The software solution resulting from this team effort by GSA and Intercon Associates is available on GSA Schedule and provides the following features:
We are able to make all of our forms Section 508-compliant quickly and easily ourselves rather than paying a vendor to script the forms individually.
All users use the same forms. The software automatically detects the use of screen reader software such as JAWS and when detected, it displays the form in simple text question-and-answer format - i.e. "Enter your name." "Enter your Social Security Number". These text prompts are read as audible prompts by the screen reader.
Detailed instructions can be provided field by field rather than forcing users to search for them on the back of the form or in another document.
Users can ask for more detailed help when required and skip over unnecessary fields on the form rather than being forced to listen to repetitive information.
Document summary information provides information such as Privacy Act Statements, Public Burden Statements, version information, etc.
An important feature for us is the quick and easy form preparation. We can take one of our existing screen-fillable forms and adapt it for the visually impaired within several hours.
If the form is revised, we can replace the image behind the form and make the needed scripting changes in minutes. With other solutions, the entire form must be recreated.
If it's a new form or a major revision, no costly programming is required to make it available on the web very quickly, regardless of the design format of the form.
All functionality available to our sighted users in Visual Fill is also available in Verbal Fill, i.e. menu features, ability to save, fax, or email filled forms. Users can toggle between the verbal and visual formats so that a sighted person can assist a visually impaired user.
Visually impaired personnel can assist in creating form content in any word processing package they are comfortable with. The information can then simply be copied into the correct place on the form.