Section 508 Standards Clarifications

The following are a list of links to audio clips (with supporting transcripts) from the Section 508 training that was held at the Center for Usability in Design and Accessibility facility located on the CSU Long Beach campus on November 5-6, 2007. The links describe clarifications to some of the guidelines as given by the trainer. Below each clip/transcript link is a description of the guideline.

Section 508 Standards Clarification Audio Clips with Transcripts

Software Applications and Operating Systems - 1194.21
Audio Clip Title	Section 508 Technical Standard	Wording of the 508 Standard that is Clarified
Bitmap Images	1194.21(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.
Textual Information	1194.21(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.
Display Attributes Shall not be Overridden	1194.21(g)	Applications shall not override user selected contrast and color selections and other individual display attributes.
Color Coding to Convey Information	1194.21(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.
Contrast Options Shall be Provided	1194.21(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.
Electronic Forms	1194.21(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.

Telecommunication Products - 1194.23
Audio Clip Title	Section 508 Technical Standard	Wording of the 508 Standard that is Clarified
Caller Identification and Similar Functions	1194.23(e)	Where provided, caller identification and similar telecommunications functions shall also be available for users of TTYs, and for users who cannot see displays.
Wireless Coupling to Hearing Technologies	1194.23(h)	Where a telecommunications product delivers output by an audio transducer which is normally held up to the ear, a means for effective magnetic wireless coupling to hearing technologies shall be provided.
Hearing Technology Interference	1194.23(i)	Interference to hearing technologies (including hearing aids, cochlear implants, and assistive listening devices) shall be reduced to the lowest possible level that allows a user of hearing technologies to utilize the telecommunications product.
Information or Communication Encoding	1194.23(j)	Products that transmit or conduct information or communication, shall pass through cross-manufacturer, non-proprietary, industry-standard codes, translation protocols, formats or other information necessary to provide the information or communication in a usable format. Technologies which use encoding, signal compression, format transformation, or similar techniques shall not remove information needed for access or shall restore it upon delivery.
Mechanically Operated Controls and Keys	1194.23(k)	Products which have mechanically operated controls or keys, shall comply with the following: Controls and keys shall be tactilely discernible without activating the controls or keys. Controls and keys shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate controls and keys shall be 5 lbs. (22.2 N) maximum. If key repeat is supported, the delay before repeat shall be adjustable to at least 2 seconds. Key repeat rate shall be adjustable to 2 seconds per character. The status of all locking or toggle controls or keys shall be visually discernible, and discernible either through touch or sound.

Video and Multimedia Products - 1194.24
Audio Clip Title	Section 508 Technical Standard	Wording of the 508 Standard that is Clarified
Captioning Part 1	1194.24(c)	All training and informational video and multimedia productions which support the agency's mission, regardless of format, that contain speech or other audio information necessary for the comprehension of the content, shall be open or closed captioned.
Captioning Part 2	1194.24(c)	All training and informational video and multimedia productions which support the agency's mission, regardless of format, that contain speech or other audio information necessary for the comprehension of the content, shall be open or closed captioned.

Self Contained, Closed Products - 1194.25
Audio Clip Title	Section 508 Technical Standard	Wording of the 508 Standard that is Clarified
Volume Level and Control	1194.25(f)	When products deliver voice output in a public area, incremental volume control shall be provided with output amplification up to a level of at least 65 dB. Where the ambient noise level of the environment is above 45 dB, a volume gain of at least 20 dB above the ambient level shall be user selectable. A function shall be provided to automatically reset the volume to the default level after every use.

Desktop and Portable Computers - 1194.26
Audio Clip Title	Section 508 Technical Standard	Wording of the 508 Standard that is Clarified
Expansion slots and ports	1194.26(d)	Where provided, at least one of each type of expansion slots, ports and connectors shall comply with publicly available industry standards.