How Makpar Enables 508 Compliance Testing for Federal Agencies
As part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 508 requires that government agencies procure, create, use and maintain Information Communication Technologies (ICT) that are accessible to people with disabilities, regardless of whether or not they work for the federal government.
In addition, on January 18, 2017, the U.S. Access Board published a final rule updating accessibility requirements for ICT covered by Section 508 for a wide-range of solutions including computers, telecommunications equipment, copiers that also operate as printers, software, websites, information kiosks, transaction machines, and electronic documents.
In order to achieve Section 508 compliance, today’s federal agencies are turning to industry partners like Makpar to help with testing to meet these key requirements.
For example, Makpar is helping one agency to verify that any object or function in their applications can be accessed in multiple ways – other than a computer mouse – and are compatible with other accessibility tools.
These solutions include everything from speech-to-text and text-to-speech offerings, and other hands-free innovations that allow any user to effectively interact with an application. Makpar also helps this agency by automating test cases for any Section 508 compliance requirement.
Makpar’s approach to Section 508 compliance testing is grounded in going beyond the minimum requirements – focusing on the highest accessibility standards for the most comprehensive testing available. The Makpar team also continually educates themselves on upcoming standards, and the latest accepted 508 compliance standards.
Ultimately, the Makpar team aims to make its Section 508 compliance testing a mainstream approach across all of government. The team also advocates for compliance testing early in the application development process.
Contact us here to learn more about how Makpar can help your agency to develop a comprehensive Section 508 compliance testing strategy.