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NYS Policy (P08-005) - Accessibility Reporting: Technical Questions and Answers

Updated: December 10, 2010

This information is provided to help answer technical questions related to Accessibility Reporting mandated by NYS Policy (P08-005).  More questions and answers will be added as we receive them.

For questions about the information presented here, or to ask a question that might be added to this page, please contact Joel Obuchowski <jobuchow@ins.state.ny.us> or Estelle Council (ecouncil@parole.state.ny.us>..

To see the policy and related documents, please visit the CIO/OFT Web site at:
http://www.cio.ny.gov/tables/technologypolicyindex.htm

For any policy-related questions, please contact CIO/OFT at: oft.sm.policy@cio.ny.gov.

Questions

 

Question: What Validation Tools are available to use for testing?

Answer: Per CIO/OFT, a list of website validation tools can be found on the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) website at http://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/tools/complete. It is suggested that agencies use a validation tool that meets their needs and feel comfortable using.

The Forum’s IT Accessibility Work Group is looking for volunteers to help test validation tools, with a view toward compiling an objective list of pros and cons. Contact Joel Obuchowski (jobuchow@ins.state.ny.us) or Estelle (ecouncil@parole.state.ny.us) to volunteer.

Question: We've been using HiSoftware’s desktop tool, and it fails the page each time, saying we should have a link to download Adobe whenever a PDF is referenced.  Total Validator does not flag that as an error.  Which tool is correct?

Answer: In this instance, the HiSoftware tool is correct, and the Total Validator tool is not.

Per 1194.22 (m):  “When a web page requires that an applet, plug-in or other application be present on the client system to interpret page content, the page must provide a link to a plug-in or applet that complies with §1194.21(a) through (l). “

If you’re running the Section 508 test on a page with a link to a PDF document and it passes in Total Validator, then that’s a mistake.

Question: Is OFT asking us to attach reports to the questionnaire?

Answer: OFT has provided FAQs that will answer this question. Refer to http://www.cio.ny.gov/Policy/2010FAQAccessibilityComplianceReportForm.pdf 

Question: Is running a validation tool that checkspoints Section 508 adequate for determining compliance?

Answer: The validation tool is good for syntax, but manual testing is also needed e.g., checking for when images are turned off, checking the quality/accuracy of the alt text, is the site usable when JavaScript is turned off, etc. All files should be verified visually to ensure compliance to all checkpoints. The IT Accessibility Work Group will be compiling a checklist of features to verify manually.

Question: What about if users are hampered by turning off JavaScript?

Answer: You have to provide equivalent functionality for users who do not enable JavaScript.  These people have the same rights to the information and services as someone who has JavaScript enabled.

Developers often express as a  best practice approach to creating accessible web sites and applications.   The 'Progressive enhancement' strategy ensures everything works without JavaScript to ensure that core, basic functionality and content is available to all,  and then enhancing with JavaScript as you move up the scale.

Question: Microsoft .NET 2.0’s Report Viewer is producing accessible Active Server Pages (ASP), but producing HTML pages missing “alt” text on images.  How does one change the settings to produce accessible HTML pages?

Answer:  The Following Microsoft resources may be  helpful in answering this and other related questions.

  • A. Building ASP.Net 2.0 Web Sites Using Web Standards
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa479043.aspx
  • Accessibility in Visual Studio and ASP.Net
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms228004.aspx

DISCLAIMER: This document is the work of members of the NYS Forum's IT Accessibility Work Group. The views and opinions expressed therein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the NYS Forum, the State of New York
or any agency or entities thereof. References to any specific commercial product, process, service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply the endorsement, recommendation, or
favoring by the NYS Forum or any entities thereof.

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