Skip Top Navigation
Who We Are
Leadership
Financials
Judicial Officer
Legal
Our History
Postal Facts
What We're Doing
Transforming Our Business
Current Initiatives
Securing The Mail
REDRESS
Sustainability
Corporate Social Responsibility
Newsroom
National News
Local News
Electronic News Kits
Testimony & Speeches
Broadcast Downloads
Audio Downloads
Events Calendar
Photo Gallery
Service Alerts
Careers
Job Search & Application
Employment Requirements
Compensation & Benefits
Career Development
Workplace Culture
Sales & Marketing Jobs
USPS Employees
Doing Business with Us
Suppliers
Licensing
Rights & Permissions
Auctions
IT Policies, Process & Standards
Public Key Infrastructure
Search
Handbook AS-508A - Section 508 Technical Reference Guide - Contents
Handbook AS-508A - Section 508 Technical Reference Guide
September 2004
Transmittal Letter
1 Introduction
1-1 Policy
1-2 History of Section 508
1-3 Compliance
1-4 Scope
1-5 About This Handbook
1-6 Additional Sources for Accessibility
2 Roles and Responsibilities
2-1 Vice President/Chief Technology Officer
2-2 Section 508 Program Manager, Information Technology
2-3 Section 508 Technical Stewards
2-4 IT Portfolio Managers
2-5 Vice President, Labor Relations
2-6 Vice President, Supply Management
2-7 Vice President, General Counsel
2-8 Vice President, Consumer Affairs
2-9 Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications
2-10 All Postal Service Officers
2-11 All Functional Organizations
2-12 Section 508 Stewards - Liaisons for Accessibility
2-13 Importance of Compliance
3 Section 508 - Overview of Accessibility
3-1 What the Law Covers
3-2 Rationale
3-3 Assistive Technologies
3-4 Guiding Principles
3-5 What is Compliance?
4 Section 508 - Postal Service Processes to Comply
4-1 Background for Purchasing Compliant EIT
4-2 Processes to Comply With Section 508
4-3 Policy
4-4 Guiding Steps for the Purchase of an EIT Business Solution
4-5 Integrated Systems Methodology (ISM) Overview
4-6 About Exceptions and Undue Burden
4-7 Documentation of Exceptions
4-8 Roles and Responsibilities
4-9 Exception Documentation
4-10 Preparing Undue Burden Justification
Appendix 4A
5 Software Applications and Operating Systems
5-1 Overview
5-2 Keyboard Access
5-3 Activated Accessibility Features
5-4 On–Screen Focus
5-5 User Interface and Programmatic Elements
5-6 Consistent Use of Images
5-7 Textual Information
5-8 User–Selected Display Attributes, Color, and Contrast
5-9 Animation
5-10 Color Coding
5-11 Video Frequency
5-12 Forms
Appendix 5A
Appendix 5B
6 Web–Based Information and Applications Accessibility Guidelines
6-1 Overview
6-2 Non–Text Elements
6-3 Multimedia
6-4 Color
6-5 Style Sheets
6-6 Image Maps
6-7 Tables
6-8 Frames
6-9 Screen Flicker
6-10 Equivalent Text Content
6-11 Scripting Languages
6-12 Plug–ins and Applets
6-13 Forms
6-14 Portable Document Format (PDF) Files
6-15 Repetitive Navigation
6-16 Timed Responses
Appendix 6A
7 Telecommunications Products
7-1 Overview
7-2 TTY Connections and Microphones
7-3 TTY Signal Protocols
7-4 Voice Mail, Auto–Attendant, and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Systems
7-5 Time Interval Alerts for IVR Systems
7-6 Caller ID and Similar Functions
7-7 Volume Control
7-8 Automatic Volume Reset
7-9 Hearing Aid Compatibility
7-10 Minimized Interference
7-11 Transmission/Conducting Information
7-12 Controls and Keys
Appendix 7A
8 Video and Multimedia Products
8-1 Overview
8-2 Analog and Digital Video Caption Receivers, Decoders, and Displays
8-3 Television Tuners and Secondary Audio Playback Circuitry
8-4 Captioning of Video and Multimedia Productions
8-5 Audio Description of Video and Multimedia Productions
8-6 User–Selectable Captions or Audio Descriptions
Appendix 8A
Appendix 8B
9 Self–Contained, Closed Products
9-1 Overview
9-2 Usability Without Assistive Technology
9-3 Allowing Sufficient Time
9-4 Touch Screens or Contact–Sensitive Controls
9-5 Biometric Forms of User Identification or Control
9-6 Auditory Output
9-7 Voice Output in a Public Area
9-8 Color Coding
9-9 Range Of Color Selections
9-10 Screen Flickering
9-11 Operable Controls on Freestanding, Non–Portable Devices
Appendix 9A
10 Desktop and Portable Computers
10-1 Overview
10-2 Mechanical or Touch–Operated Controls, Keys, and Touch Screens
10-3 Biometric User Identification and Controls
10-4 Industry–Standard Expansion Slots, Ports, and Connectors
Appendix 10A
11 Information, Documentation, and Support
11-1 Overview
11-2 Provide Support Documentation in Alternate Formats
11-3 Provide Access to a Description of Accessibility Features
11-4 Accommodate Various Communication Needs in Support Services
Appendix 11A