VPAT™
Voluntary Product
Accessibility Template®
Version 1.3
The purpose of the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template,
or VPAT™, is to assist Federal contracting officials and
other buyers in making preliminary assessments regarding the availability of commercial
“Electronic and Information Technology” products and services with
features that support accessibility. It
is assumed and recommended that offerers will provide
additional contact information to facilitate more detailed inquiries.
The first table of the
Template provides a summary view of the Section 508 Standards. The subsequent tables provide more detailed
views of each subsection. There are
three columns in each table. Column one
of the Summary Table describes the subsections of subparts B and C of the
Standards. The second column describes
the supporting features of the product or refers you to the corresponding
detailed table, e.g., “equivalent facilitation." The third column contains any additional
remarks and explanations regarding the product. In the subsequent tables, the first column
contains the lettered paragraphs of the subsections. The second column describes the supporting
features of the product with regard to that paragraph. The third column contains any additional
remarks and explanations regarding the product.
Date: August 23,
2011
Name of Product:
CQ Researcher
Contact for more
Information (name/phone/email): Jerry
Orvedahl, 202-729-1842, jorvedahl@cqpress.com
|
Summary
Table VPAT™ Voluntary Product Accessibility
Template® |
||
|
Criteria |
Supporting
Features |
Remarks
and explanations |
|
Section 1194.21 Software
Applications and Operating Systems
|
|
n/a |
|
Section 1194.22 Web-based
Internet Information and Applications |
|
CQ Researcher is substantially
compliant, with exceptions noted below. |
|
Section 1194.23 Telecommunications
Products |
|
n/a |
|
Section 1194.24 Video and
Multi-media Products
|
|
n/a |
|
Section 1194.25 Self-Contained,
Closed Products |
|
n/a |
|
Section 1194.26 Desktop
and Portable Computers
|
|
n/a |
|
Section 1194.31 Functional
Performance Criteria
|
|
Compliant. |
|
Section 1194.41 Information,
Documentation and Support |
|
Compliant. |
|
Section 1194.21
Software Applications and Operating Systems – Detail VPAT™ Voluntary
Product Accessibility Template® |
||
|
Criteria
|
Supporting
Features |
Remarks
and explanations |
|
(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. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based product. |
|
(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. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(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. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(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. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(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. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based product. |
|
(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. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based product. |
|
(g) Applications shall not override
user selected contrast and color selections and other individual display
attributes. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(h) When animation is displayed, the
information shall be displayable in at least one non-animated presentation
mode at the option of the user. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(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. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(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. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(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. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(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. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
Section
1194.22 Web-based Internet information and applications – Detail VPAT™ Voluntary Product
Accessibility Template® |
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|
Criteria
|
Supporting
Features |
Remarks
and explanations |
|
(a) A text equivalent for every
non-text element shall be provided (e.g., via "alt", "longdesc", or in element content). |
|
Some data conveyed in image
form has no text equivalent, in particular, “Maps and Graphs” |
|
(b) Equivalent alternatives for any
multimedia presentation shall be synchronized with the presentation. |
|
n/a. There are no multimedia
presentations. |
|
(c) Web pages shall be designed so
that all information conveyed with color is also available without color, for
example from context or markup. |
|
Compliant but for select
images, as noted in (a) |
|
(d) Documents shall be organized so
they are readable without requiring an associated style sheet. |
|
Compliant. |
|
(e) Redundant text links shall be
provided for each active region of a server-side image map. |
|
n/a. There are no server-side
image maps. |
|
(f) Client-side image maps shall be
provided instead of server-side image maps except where the regions cannot be
defined with an available geometric shape. |
|
n/a. There are no client-side
image maps. |
|
(g) Row and column headers shall be
identified for data tables. |
|
Tables are captured as images. |
|
(h) Markup shall be used to
associate data cells and header cells for data tables that have two or more
logical levels of row or column headers. |
|
Tables are captured as images. |
|
(i) Frames
shall be titled with text that facilitates frame identification and navigation |
|
n/a. No frames are used. |
|
(j) Pages shall be designed to avoid
causing the screen to flicker with a frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower
than 55 Hz. |
|
Compliant. |
|
(k) A text-only page, with
equivalent information or functionality, shall be provided to make a web site
comply with the provisions of this part, when compliance cannot be
accomplished in any other way. The content of the text-only page shall be
updated whenever the primary page changes. |
|
All pages are text, with the
exception of certain images noted in (a) |
|
(l) When pages utilize scripting
languages to display content, or to create interface elements, the
information provided by the script shall be identified with functional text
that can be read by Assistive Technology. |
|
Compliant. |
|
(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). |
|
n/a. No plug-ins are required. |
|
(n)
When electronic forms are designed to be completed on-line, 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. |
|
Compliant. |
|
(o) A
method shall be provided that permits users to skip repetitive navigation
links. |
|
Compliant. |
|
(p)
When a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted and given
sufficient time to indicate more time is required. |
|
n/a. There are no timed
responses. |
Note to 1194.22: The Board
interprets paragraphs (a) through (k) of this section as consistent with the
following priority 1 Checkpoints of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
1.0 (WCAG 1.0) (May 5 1999) published by the Web Accessibility Initiative of
the World Wide Web Consortium: Paragraph (a) - 1.1, (b) - 1.4, (c) - 2.1, (d) -
6.1, (e) - 1.2, (f) - 9.1, (g) - 5.1, (h) - 5.2, (i)
- 12.1, (j) - 7.1, (k) - 11.4.
|
Section
1194.23 Telecommunications Products – Detail VPAT™ Voluntary Product
Accessibility Template® |
||||
|
Criteria
|
Supporting
Features |
Remarks
and explanations |
||
|
(a) Telecommunications products or
systems which provide a function allowing voice communication and which do
not themselves provide a TTY functionality shall provide a standard
non-acoustic connection point for TTYs. Microphones shall be capable of being
turned on and off to allow the user to intermix speech with TTY use. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
||
|
(b) Telecommunications products
which include voice communication functionality shall support all commonly
used cross-manufacturer non-proprietary standard TTY signal protocols. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
||
|
(c) Voice mail, auto-attendant, and
interactive voice response telecommunications systems shall be usable by TTY
users with their TTYs. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
||
|
(d) Voice mail, messaging,
auto-attendant, and interactive voice response telecommunications systems
that require a response from a user within a time interval, shall give an
alert when the time interval is about to run out, and shall provide
sufficient time for the user to indicate more time is required. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
||
|
(e) Where provided, caller
identification and similar telecommunications functions shall also be
available for users of TTYs, and for users who cannot see displays. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
||
|
(f) For transmitted voice signals,
telecommunications products shall provide a gain adjustable up to a minimum
of 20 dB. For incremental volume control, at least one intermediate step of
12 dB of gain shall be provided. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
||
|
(g) If the telecommunications
product allows a user to adjust the receive volume, a function shall be
provided to automatically reset the volume to the default level after every
use. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
||
|
(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. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
||
|
(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. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
||
|
(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. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
||
|
(k)(1) 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. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
||
|
(k)(2) Products which have
mechanically operated controls or keys shall comply with the following:
Controls and Keys shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight
grasping, pinching, twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate
controls and keys shall be 5 lbs. (22.2N) maximum. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
||
|
(k)(3) Products which have
mechanically operated controls or keys shall comply with the following: 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. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
||
|
(k)(4) Products which have
mechanically operated controls or keys shall comply with the following: The
status of all locking or toggle controls or keys shall be visually
discernible, and discernible either through touch or sound. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based product. |
||
|
Section
1194.24 Video and Multi-media Products – Detail VPAT™ Voluntary Product
Accessibility Template® |
||||
|
Criteria |
Supporting
Features |
Remarks
and explanations |
||
|
a) All analog television displays 13
inches and larger, and computer equipment that includes analog television
receiver or display circuitry, shall be equipped with caption decoder
circuitry which appropriately receives, decodes, and displays closed captions
from broadcast, cable, videotape, and DVD signals. As soon as practicable,
but not later than July 1, 2002, widescreen digital television (DTV) displays
measuring at least 7.8 inches vertically, DTV sets with conventional displays
measuring at least 13 inches vertically, and stand-alone DTV tuners, whether
or not they are marketed with display screens, and computer equipment that
includes DTV receiver or display circuitry, shall be equipped with caption
decoder circuitry which appropriately receives, decodes, and displays closed
captions from broadcast, cable, videotape, and DVD signals. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
||
|
(b) Television tuners, including
tuner cards for use in computers, shall be equipped with secondary audio
program playback circuitry. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
||
|
(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. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
||
|
(d) All training and informational
video and multimedia productions which support the agency's mission,
regardless of format, that contain visual information necessary for the
comprehension of the content, shall be audio described. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
||
|
(e) Display or presentation of
alternate text presentation or audio descriptions shall be user-selectable
unless permanent. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
||
|
Section 1194.25
Self-Contained, Closed Products – Detail VPAT™ Voluntary
Product Accessibility Template® |
||
|
Criteria
|
Supporting
Features |
Remarks
and explanations |
|
(a) Self contained products shall be
usable by people with disabilities without requiring an end-user to attach
Assistive Technology to the product. Personal headsets for private listening
are not Assistive Technology. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(b) When a timed response is
required, the user shall be alerted and given sufficient time to indicate
more time is required. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(c) Where a product utilizes touchscreens or contact-sensitive controls, an input
method shall be provided that complies with §1194.23 (k) (1) through (4). |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(d) When biometric forms of user
identification or control are used, an alternative form of identification or
activation, which does not require the user to possess particular biological
characteristics, shall also be provided. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(e) When products provide auditory
output, the audio signal shall be provided at a standard signal level through
an industry standard connector that will allow for private listening. The
product must provide the ability to interrupt, pause, and restart the audio
at anytime. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(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. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(g) Color coding shall not be used
as the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a
response, or distinguishing a visual element. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(h) When a product permits a user to
adjust color and contrast settings, a range of color selections capable of
producing a variety of contrast levels shall be provided. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(i)
Products shall be designed to avoid causing the screen to flicker with a
frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(j) (1) Products which are
freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which
have operable controls shall comply with the following: The position of any
operable control shall be determined with respect to a vertical plane, which
is 48 inches in length, centered on the operable control, and at the maximum
protrusion of the product within the 48 inch length on products which are
freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which
have operable controls. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(j)(2) Products which are
freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which
have operable controls shall comply with the following: Where any operable
control is 10 inches or less behind the reference plane, the height shall be
54 inches maximum and 15 inches minimum above the floor. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(j)(3) Products which are
freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which
have operable controls shall comply with the following: Where any operable
control is more than 10 inches and not more than 24 inches behind the
reference plane, the height shall be 46 inches maximum and 15 inches minimum
above the floor. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(j)(4) Products which are
freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which
have operable controls shall comply with the following: Operable controls
shall not be more than 24 inches behind the reference plane. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
Section
1194.26 Desktop and Portable Computers – Detail VPAT™ Voluntary Product
Accessibility Template® |
||
|
Criteria |
Supporting
Features |
Remarks
and explanations |
|
(a) All mechanically operated
controls and keys shall comply with §1194.23 (k) (1) through (4). |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(b) If a product utilizes touchscreens or touch-operated controls, an input method
shall be provided that complies with §1194.23 (k) (1) through (4). |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(c) When biometric forms of user
identification or control are used, an alternative form of identification or
activation, which does not require the user to possess particular biological
characteristics, shall also be provided. |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
(d) Where provided, at least one of
each type of expansion slots, ports and connectors shall comply with publicly
available industry standards |
|
Not relevant to a web-based
product. |
|
Section
1194.31 Functional Performance Criteria – Detail VPAT™ Voluntary Product
Accessibility Template® |
||
|
Criteria |
Supporting
Features |
Remarks
and explanations |
|
(a) At least one mode of operation
and information retrieval that does not require user vision shall be
provided, or support for Assistive Technology used by people who are blind or
visually impaired shall be provided. |
|
Compliant. |
|
(b) At least one mode of operation
and information retrieval that does not require visual acuity greater than
20/70 shall be provided in audio and enlarged print output working together
or independently, or support for Assistive Technology used by people who are
visually impaired shall be provided. |
|
Compliant. |
|
(c) At least one mode of operation
and information retrieval that does not require user hearing shall be
provided, or support for Assistive Technology used by people who are deaf or
hard of hearing shall be provided |
|
Compliant. |
|
(d) Where audio information is
important for the use of a product, at least one mode of operation and
information retrieval shall be provided in an enhanced auditory fashion, or
support for assistive hearing devices shall be provided. |
|
n/a. There is no audio
content. |
|
(e) At least one mode of operation
and information retrieval that does not require user speech shall be
provided, or support for Assistive Technology used by people with
disabilities shall be provided. |
|
n/a.
User speech is not relevant. |
|
(f) At least one mode of operation
and information retrieval that does not require fine motor control or
simultaneous actions and that is operable with limited reach and strength
shall be provided. |
|
n/a. |
|
Section
1194.41 Information, Documentation and Support – Detail VPAT™ Voluntary Product
Accessibility Template® |
||
|
Criteria |
Supporting
Features |
Remarks
and explanations |
|
(a) Product support documentation
provided to end-users shall be made available in alternate formats upon
request, at no additional charge |
|
Compliant. |
|
(b) End-users shall have access to a
description of the accessibility and compatibility features of products in
alternate formats or alternate methods upon request, at no additional charge. |
|
Compliant. |
|
(c) Support services for products
shall accommodate the communication needs of end-users with disabilities. |
|
Compliant. |
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