Section 508 Questions and Discussions

The following tables contain links to audio clips (with supporting transcripts) of Section 508 Questions and Discussions that came about from the Section 508 training held at the Center for Usability in Design and Accessibility facility located on the CSU Long Beach campus on November 5-6, 2007. Each row of the table has 3 columns. The first column contains the the clip/transcript title/link. The second column classifies clips/transcripts as either questions raised by the audience or particular topics of discussion. The third column contains a short description of the question or discussion.

General Accessibility Questions and Discussions

Clip/Transcript Title	Question or Discussion	Description of the Question or Discussion
Definition of Accessibility	Discussion	Definitions of Section 508 and accessibility.
Touchscreen Accessibility	Discussion	The accessibility of touchscreens.
Digital Hearing Aid	Discussion	The company that is developing a digital hearing aid.
Section 508 History	Discussion	The conception of the Section 508 standards.

Assistive Technology Questions and Discussions

Clip/Transcript Title	Question or Discussion	Description of the Question or Discussion
Assistive Technology versus Accessible Technology	Discussion	The difference between assistive technology and accessible technology.
Assistive Technology Database (JAM Network)	Discussion	The JAM Network, a database of assistive technology.
Section 508 Compliance and Assistive Technology	Question	Is a site compliant if it only works with one piece of Assistive Technology(AT)?

Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) Questions and Discussions

Clip/Transcript Title	Question or Discussion	Description of the Question or Discussion
Group Opinions About the VPAT	Discussion	VPATs and how the group felt about them.
Voluntary Nature of the VPAT	Discussion	Whether or not it is mandatory for a manufacturer to complete a VPAT.
History of the VPAT	Question	What entity created the VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template)?
Necessary Components of the VPAT	Discussion	Things the CSU ATI needs to include in the VPAT it creates.

Software Accessibility Questions and Discussions

Clip/Transcript Title	Question or Discussion	Description of the Question or Discussion
Open Source Software Accessibility	Discussion	The accessibility of open source software and steps that are being taken to make it more accessible.
Software Layers Affecting Accessibility	Question	Since applications and operating systems have a variety of layers, which layers have the opportunity to affect accessibility?

Web Accessibility Questions and Discussions

Clip/Transcript Title	Question or Discussion	Description of the Question or Discussion
Script Level Accessibility	Question	How to test for accessibility on the script level and about if this (script accessibility) should be an important factor and about if this should be in one's decision to purchase a product.
Client and Server Side maps' Accessibility	Question	Which of the two options are more accessible?
Semantic Markups (lacking a standard)	Question	Why doesn't Section 508 include standards for semantic markups when designing web pages?

Exemptions from Section 508 Questions and Discussions

Clip/Transcript Title	Question or Discussion	Description of the Question or Discussion
Fundamental Alteration Exemption Example	Discussion	Example of what a fundamental alteration is with respect to the Section 508 Standards.
Products Exempt from Section 508	Discussion	To determine whether or not a blank CD and a blank internal hard drive are covered under Section 508.
Undue Burden Exemption from Section 508	Discussion	Instances when, by law, you are not required to evaluate for 508.
Equipment Placement Exemption from Section 508	Question	How does equipment placement affect whether or not there needs to be a 508 review?

Testing/Evaluation Questions and Discussions

Clip/Transcript Title	Question or Discussion	Description of the Question or Discussion
Equipment Needs for Evaluation at CUDA	Question	What equipment needs to be purchased for CUDA (Center for Usability in Design and Accessibility) to successfully run usability tests on assistive technology?
Testing Assistive Technology	Discussion	Issues that are being tested when one does AT testing.
Kurzweil 1000 and Kurzweil 3000	Discussion	The difference between Kurzweil 1000 and Kurzweil 3000; also, what users use Kurzweil and how can they be tested.

Procurement Questions and Discussions

Clip/Transcript Title	Question or Discussion	Description of the Question or Discussion
"Buyers" at CSUs	Discussion	Which party the term buyer refers to, the end user or the procurement official.
Procurement Process at CSUs	Discussion	The procurement process and the role of procurement officials on the CSU campuses.