(a) A text equivalent for every non-text element shall be provided (e.g., via "alt", "longdesc", or in element content).
Every image, applet, embedded media, plug-in, etc. that conveys content has equivalent alternative text (alt, longdesc, or in the element context).
A non-text element has no altor text description or the description is not equivalent, or is not described in the adjacent text.
The alternative text succinctly describes the content conveyed by the element, without being too verbose (for simple objects) or too vague (for complex objects).
Alternative texts are verbose ("picture of...", "image of...", etc.), vague, misleading, inaccurate, or redundant to the context (e.g. the alt text is the same as adjacent text).
Complex graphics (graphs, charts, etc.) are accompanied by equivalent text, either through a description in the body of the page, a link to a description on a separate page, and/or the longdesc attribute.
Complex graphics have no alternative text or the alternative does not fully convey the content of the graphic.
Images that have a function (images within links, image buttons, and image map areas) have alternative text which describes the associated function.
Alternative texts for linked images, image buttons, or hot spots are not descriptive of the function.
Decorative graphics are CSS background images or have null/empty alt values (alt=""). Images with text alternatives in element content are given empty alt text to avoid redundancy.
Decorative graphics have alternatives of "spacer", "decorative graphic," or other extraneous text. Graphics have alt text that is redundant with adjacent text.
Transcripts are provided for audio content.
Audio does not have transcripts.
508 STANDARD
PASS
FAIL
(b) Equivalent alternatives for any multimedia presentation shall be synchronized with the presentation.
Video files and live audio broadcasts have synchronized captions.
Video files or live audio broadcasts do not have captions or captions are not synchronized.
Content presented through video, but not through audio is provided in an audio description track.
Audio descriptions are not provided for visual-only content in multimedia.
508 STANDARD
PASS
FAIL
(c) Web pages shall be designed so that all information conveyed with color is also available without color, for example from context or markup.
Color is not used solely to convey important information.
Color is the sole means of conveying information.
Sufficient contrast is provided.
Contrast is poor.
508 STANDARD
PASS
FAIL
(d) Documents shall be organized so they are readable without requiring an associated style sheet.
Style sheets may be used for layout, but the document is still readable and understandable (even if less visually appealing) when the style sheet is turned off.
The document is confusing or information is missing when the style sheet is turned off.
508 STANDARD
PASS
FAIL
(e) Redundant text links shall be provided for each active region of a server-side image map.
Client-side image maps are used instead of server-side image maps. Appropriate alternative text is provided for the image as well as each hot spot area.
Server side image maps or inaccessible client-side image maps are present.
(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.
508 STANDARD
PASS
FAIL
(g) Row and column headers shall be identified for data tables.
Data tables have column and/or row headers appropriately identified (using the
Tables used for layout have headers identified when there are no true headers.
508 STANDARD
PASS
FAIL
(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.
Data table cells are associated with the appropriate headers using the scope or id/headers attributes.
Data table cells are not associated with column and/or row headers or they are associated incorrectly.
508 STANDARD
PASS
FAIL
(i) Frames shall be titled with text that facilitates frame identification and navigation.
Each frame is given a titlethat describes the frame's purpose or content.
Frames have no title or a title that is not descriptive of the frame's purpose or content.
508 STANDARD
PASS
FAIL
(j) Pages shall be designed to avoid causing the screen to flicker with a frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz.
No element on the page flashes at a rate of 2 to 55 cycles per second, thus reducing the risk of optically-induced seizures.
One or more elements on the page flicker at a rate of 2 to 55 cycles per second, increasing the risk of optically-induced seizures.
508 STANDARD
PASS
FAIL
(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.
A text-only version is created only when there is no other way to make the content accessible or when it offers significant advantages over the main version for certain disability types.
A text-only version is provided when the main version is not accessible, but could be made fully accessible.
The text-only version provides equivalent content and is up-to-date with the main version.
The text-only version is not equivalent to or up-to-date with the main version.
508 STANDARD
PASS
FAIL
(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.
Content and functionality provided by scripting is directly accessible to assistive technologies and the keyboard.
