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