U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Part 8, Chapter 20: Manual Exhibit 8-20-D

Software Applications and Operating Systems Checklist

Software Application and Version: _____________________________________________________

Manufacturer/Contractor/Developer: ____________________________________________________

Tester Name: ______________________________________ Phone: (___) ____________________

Tester Signature: ___________________________________ Date: __________________________

Fully Compliant (FC):  All instances fully meet the standard as defined below
Non-Compliant (NC):  All instances did not meet the standard
Partially Compliant (PC):  Partially met and requires further explanation
Not Applicable (N/A):  Standard is not applicable to this application
Not Tested (NT):  Standard was not tested

Compliance is defined as meeting the requirement set forth in the Section 508 Technical Standards 36 CFR Part 1194, .

Any item not rated as fully compliant needs an explanation in detail as to why the standard was not met. Enter the ID number and an explanation in the space provided at the end of the checklist.

ID	36 CFR Part 1194.21: Software Applications and Operating Systems Standards & Checklist Test Question	FC	PC	NC	N/A	N/T
1	Keyboard (a) When software is designed to run on a system that has a keyboard, product functions shall be executable from a keyboard where the function itself or the result of performing a function can be discerned textually. (a.1) Can you navigate all aspects of the application using only the keyboard?
	(a.2) Is every feature of the application available using the keyboard?
2	Accessibility features (b) Applications shall not disrupt or disable activated features of other products that are identified as accessibility features, where those features are developed and documented according to industry standards. Applications also shall not disrupt or disable activated features of any operating system that are identified as accessibility features where the application programming interface for those accessibility features has been documented by the manufacturer of the operating system and is available to the product developer. (b.i) Does the application avoid disrupting or disabling activated features of other products that are identified as accessibility features (where those features are developed and documented according to industry standards)?
	(b.2) Does the application avoid disrupting or disabling activated features of any operating system that are identified as accessibility features (where the application programming interface for those accessibility features has been documented by the manufacturer of the operating system and is available to the product developer)?
	(b.3) Are all of the operating system accessibility options that were previously set still available?
	(b.4) Are all the features of the software product accessibility options that were previously set still available?
3	Visual focus indicators (c) A well defined on-screen indication of the current focus shall be provided that moves among interactive interface elements as the input focus changes. The focus shall be programmatically exposed so that Assistive Technology can track focus and focus changes. (c.1) Is a well-defined on-screen indication of the current focus (e.g., cursor) provided that moves among interactive interface elements as the input focus changes?
	(c.2) Is the focus programmatically exposed so that AT can track focus and focus changes?
	(c.3) Is there no evident change in on-screen focus as you navigate through one or more components of an application?
4	User interface element (d) Sufficient information about a user interface element including the identity, operation and state of the element shall be available to Assistive Technology. When an image represents a program element, the information conveyed by the image must also be available in text. (d.1) Can the screen reader distinguish and read all controls such as prompts for edit fields, text, radio buttons, checkboxes, menus and toolbars to the user?
	(d.2) When an image represents a program element is the information conveyed by the image available in text?
5	Bitmap images (e) When bitmap images are used to identify controls, status indicators, or other programmatic elements, the meaning assigned to those images shall be consistent throughout an application's performance. (e.1) Do individual icons used to identify controls, status indicators, or other programmatic elements mean the same thing throughout the application?
	(e.2) When an image represents a program element is the information conveyed by the image available in text?
6	Textual information (f) Textual information shall be provided through operating system functions for displaying text. The minimum information that shall be made available is text content, text input caret location, and text attributes. (f.1) Is all text presented in the application readable by assistive technologies? (Minimum information that shall be made available is text content, text input caret location, and text attributes.)
7	Display attributes (g) Applications shall not override user selected contrast and color selections and other individual display attributes. (g.1) Does the application avoid overriding user-selected contrast and color selections and other individual display attributes?
	(g.2) If a product uses its own color and contrast settings, does it comply with 1194.21(j)
8	Animation (h) When animation is displayed, the information shall be displayable in at least one non-animated presentation mode at the option of the user. If animated objects are present, is the information conveyed by the animated object displayable in at least one non-animated presentation mode at the option of the user, i.e., audio or captions?
9	Color coding (i) Color coding shall not be used as the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element. If color is the sole means used to prompt a response, indicate an action, distinguish a visual element or to convey information, is the information displayed in another mode? Example: If the color red indicate negative numbers, are those numbers also represented with a negative sign (-)?
10	Color and contrast setting (j) When a product permits a user to adjust color and contrast settings, a variety of color selections capable of producing a range of contrast levels shall be provided. (j.1) If users can adjust color and contrast settings, is a variety of color and contrast settings available to choose from? NOTE: If the product does not feature adjustable color or contrast settings, then the standard does not apply.
	(j.2) Does the product conform to 1194.21(g) regarding system display settings?
11	Flashing or blinking text (k) Software shall not use flashing or blinking text, objects, or other elements having a flash or blink frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz. (k.1)Are screen items which flash, blink or flicker set at a rate of less than twice a second or more than 55 times a second? (Hertz (Hz)is a cycle per second)
	(k.2) Does the page avoid using effects that cause the screen to "flicker" as pages are loaded?
12	Electronic forms (l) When electronic forms are used, the form shall allow people using Assistive Technology to access the information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues. (l.1) Can you navigate and follow links and forms with the keyboard?
	(l.2) Can the electronic forms be used with assistive technologies?
	(l.3) Can a screen reading program read all prompts, directions, explanations, or instructions on the form and understand the purpose of each field and the functionality required for completion and submission of the form?
13	Documentation (d.1) Are all manuals and documentation provided in electronic format as well as text files, including text descriptions of any charts, graphs, pictures, or graphics of any nature?
	(d.2) Do all the manuals and documentation meet the standards in the Section 508 Subpart D - 1194.41 Information, Documentation, and Support Checklist?

ID	Explanation

Application Results:

___Fully Compliant ___Partially Compliant ___Non-Compliant ___ Not Applicable ___ Not Tested

Additional Comments: