Accessibility Presentations and Workshop Materials
Section 508 Awareness
Accessibility of ICT: An Overview for Government Executives
Section 508: What It Is and Why It's Important?
Micro-Purchases and Section 508 Requirements
Technology Accessibility Playbook: How to Build an Effective Section 508 Program
Procuring Section 508 Conformant ICT Products and Services
Training via FAI
Module 0: Introduction & Background
Module 1: Save as a Word Document (.docx) with a Descriptive Filename
Module 2: Use Styles to Create Headings
Module 3: Use Built-in Features to Create Lists
Module 4: Use Built-in Features to Organize Content
Module 5: Use Built-in Features to Create Layout and Data Tables
Module 6: Identify Distinct Languages
Module 7: Create Unambiguous Names for Links
Module 8: Duplicate Vital Information in Headers, Footers and Watermarks
Module 9: Create Accessible Images and Other Objects
Module 10: Create Accessible Textboxes
Module 11: Use Color and Other Sensory Characteristics Plus Text to Convey Meaning
Module 12: Create the Required Color Contrast
Module 13: Create Accessible Embedded Files
Creating PowerPoint Templates
Module 1: Creating the Presentation's Layout Design and Establishing the Logical Reading Order
Module 2: Ensuring the Contrast Ratio Between Text and Background is Sufficient
Module 3: Ensuring Color and Other Visual Characteristics that Convey Information are Also Described in Text
Module 4: Formatting Columns Correctly
Module 5: Formatting Lists Properly
Module 6: Using Built-In Features to Create Data Tables
Module 7: Adding Alternative Text to Images and Other Objects
Module 8: Creating Links with Unique and Descriptive Names
Module 9: Making Vital Background Information Accessible
Module 10: Formatting Text for the Intended Language
Module 11: Ensuring Descriptions of Embedded Audio, Video and Multimedia Files are Accurate
Module 12: Excluding Flashing Objects
Module 13: Saving in the .pptx Format with a Descriptive Filename
Module 1: Using Built-in Features to Organize Content and Ensure Logical Reading Order
Module 3: Ensuring Color and Other Visual Characteristics are Also Described in Text
Module 8: Ensuring Descriptions of Embedded Audio, Video and Multimedia Files are Accurate
Module 9: Excluding Flashing Objects
Module 10: Saving in the .xlsx Format with a Descriptive Filename
Module 1: What is a PDF?
Module 2: Testing a PDF for Accessibility
Module 3: Remediating PDFs for Accessibility
Module 4: Converting Scanned Documents into Section 508 Conformant PDFs
Module 1: Overview of ANDI
Module 2: Focus Element
Module 3: Links & Buttons
Module 4: Images
Module 5: Structure Headings
Module 6: Heading Levels
Module 7: Structure Lists
Module 8: Page Language
Module 9: Language of Parts
Module 10: Page Title
Module 11: Frames
Module 12: iFrames
Module 13: Color Contrast
Module 14: Color Contrast Analyzer
Module 15: Data Tables
Module 16: Layout Tables
Module 17: CSS Content and Positioning
Module 18: Live Regions
Color Contrast Analyzer
Universal Design and Accessibility
An Introduction to Universal Design for Content Creators
An Introduction to Universal Design for Developers
An Introduction to Universal Design for Managers
An Introduction to Universal Design for Procurement Professionals
Creating Accessible Media
IAAF Archives
Presentations and Workshop Materials
Section 508 Tools
Testing Tools for Web
Accessibility Requirements Tool (ART)
Find Your 508 Program Manager
View a Playbook
IT Accessibility Community Meetings
December 7, 2022 - Continuing our theme, "Be The Change In Accessibility" focuses on "Be The Change In Accessibility: Acquisition" where our speakers shared what CDC is doing currently and planning around the need for accessible communication that is plain, clear, and inclusive, and will share some examples of recent work. Additionally, the speakers discussed how the world around us is shaped by our perspective, and so is our understanding of what we call disabilities.
Captioned Text - DEC 2022 (DOCX)
June 14, 2022 - Continuing our theme, "Be The Change In Accessibility" focuses on "Be The Change In Accessibility: Acquisition" where our speakers discussed the federal acquisition processes for procuring Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and how these processes provide key opportunities to ensure accessible technology is being purchased.
Accessibility through the Acquisition Lifecycle - ITACM JUN 2022 (PPT)
Demystifying Section 508 IT Accessibility - ITACM JUN 2022 (PPT)
Captioned Text - JUN 2022 (DOCX)
April 19, 2022 - Continuing our theme, "Be The Change In Accessibility" focuses on "being the change" while reconnecting with our broader accessibility community members and charting the path forward. The topic for this session is "Be The Change In Accessibility: Acquisition" where our participants heard from four speakers.
SRT Data Process - ITACM APR 2022 (PPT)
Market Research - ITACM APR 2022 (PPT)
Captioned Text - APR 2022 (DOCX)
February 8, 2022 - Our overall theme, "Be The Change In Accessibility," focuses on "being the change" while reconnecting with our broader accessibility community members and charting the path forward. The topic for this session is "Be The Change In Accessibility: Design & Development" where you'll hear from two speakers.
MS Word Accessibility Checklist (Alternate Description) (PDF)
PDF Accessibility Checklist (Alternate Description) (PDF)
Enhancing Accessibility with AI and Machine Learning - ITACM FEB 2022 (PPTX)
Captioned Text - FEB 2022 (DOCX)
December 7, 2021 - Our theme, "Winter Break: Accessibility Lights, DEIA Camera…ACTION" continued to focus on reconnecting our broader accessibility community members and charting the path forward. The topics discussed at the meeting included: DEIA and the Accessibility Community; What is The Big Picture; and Using the Tools We Have To Accomplish the Goal.
Transcript (DOCX)
August 4, 2021 - Our theme, "Moving Forward: Leaving No One Behind," continued to focus on reconnecting our broader accessibility community and looking at the path ahead. This session was part-two of how a leader with no accessibility experience became a '508 Evangelist' and began fundamentally changing how an organization thought about, and approached, accessibility. Topics included: Linking & Leverage; Building a Foundation; Changing the Narrative; and Enforcement Is NOT the Answer.
Building on the Fundamentals (PPTX)
June 8, 2021 - In this session, Brandon Jular (Department of Labor) shared his journey from a new leader with no accessibility experience to becoming a '508 Evangelist,' and began fundamentally changing how an organization thought about and approached accessibility.
Getting the Support You Need: Strategically leveraging high-level support (PPTX)
April 6, 2021 - Focusing on the acquisition of information and communications technology, four presenters from Federal and State accessibility programs shared a quick review of approaches on how to evaluate Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs) developed from Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs™). This was followed by four concurrent breakout sessions where each presenter led a breakout group to compare multiple products against the agency's RFP requirements as the evaluation committee.
February 9, 2021 - Featuring the slogan, "Moving Forward: Change is Necessary", this meeting featured presentations by DHS, GSA, NASA, and the Information Technology Industry Association (ITI) on Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) creation, evaluation and validation processes. Additionally, the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) shared information on improving the accessibility profession through education and certification.
Refining and Evaluating ACRs and VPATs (PPTX)
Get Certified (PPTX)
CSUN Assistive Technology Conference
March 8-13, 2020 - The California State University, Northridge (CSUN) hosted the 35th annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference which is designed as an inclusive event for researchers, practitioners, exhibitors, end users and other participants to share knowledge and best practices in the field of assistive technology. Among the many workshops and presentations scheduled for the conference were those created by accessibility professionals from the U.S. Access Board, the GSA IT Accessibility Team, and the Department of Homeland Security including:
How to Be Successful in the Trusted Tester Certification Process (PPT) - Tips on how to be successful for individuals seeking Trusted Tester certification and the benefits for those doing business with the U.S. federal government.
Section 508 ICT Testing Baseline (PPT) - Explains how the ICT Testing Baseline will be used by federal agencies to align their accessibility testing processes to produce consistent test results for Section 508 conformance.
U.S. Access Board and GSA Answer Questions About §508 (PPT) - Reviews questions about the Revised Section 508 Standards, focusing on the most popular topics requested by users.
December 01, 2020 - "Moving Forward: Winter Break" - Access Israel shared information about their organization and how they promote accessibility to improve the quality of life for people with various disabilities in Israel. The primary goal is that all those with disabilities are integrated into society with dignity, respect, equal rights and high level of independence. Attendees also enjoyed a year-in-review presentation by Tim Creagan, U.S. Access Board.
Captioned-Text-(ITACM-DEC2020)
Access Israel at U.S. - GSA (PPT, DEC 2020)
Section 508 in 2020 - The Year in Review (PPT, DEC 2020)
August 11, 2020 - Under the theme of "Back to School," the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Cancer Institute led a review and discussion of seven sections of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the relationship between disability programs and reasonable accommodations. Participants also received an update on the changes to the Accessibility Requirements Tool (ART) and Solicitations Review Tool (SRT) from the GSA Office of Government-wide Policy IT Accessibility Program.
Captioned Text (ITACM - AUG2020)
Sections of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (PPT, Aug 2020)
June 30, 2020 - The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) participated in an informative event with a focus on creating effective performance management frameworks and position descriptions; including how a position description can be used to establish a Section 508 Program led by a dedicated Program Manager.
Captioned-Text-(APMM-JUN2020)
Best Practices for Creating a Position Description and the Importance of Updated PDs (PPT, June 2020)
Writing Position Descriptions (PPT, June 2020)
April 7, 2020 - The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) shared an overview of their Section 508 Program, the program's structure, education and awareness campaigns, and future planning. The GSA government-wide IT Accessibility Team shared information on effective testing approaches, and gave a brief demo of the ANDI testing tool.
Transcript (MS-DOC, April 2020)
April Accessibility Program Managers Meeting Presentation (MS-PPT, April 2020)
A 508 Program on the Move: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) (MS-PPT, April, 2020)
February 4, 2020 - Featuring the slogan, "Moving Forward," this meeting featured presentations by Program Maturity Census Bureau Section 508 Program Managers sharing best practices, lessons learned and plans for 2020.
Transcript (MS-DOC, February 2020)
February Accessibility Program Managers Meeting Presentations (MS-PPT, December 2019)
December 10, 2019 - Featuring the slogan, "What Have We Learned? Our Journey Forward," this meeting featured three presentations by Section 508 Program Managers sharing lessons learned and plans for 2020.
Transcript (MS-DOC, December 2019)
FY 2019 Lessons Learned from a 508 PM (MS-PPT, December 2019)
August 1, 2019 - Our summer program manager's meeting featured presentations on the Digital Dashboard Accessibility Module, website reports to agency CIOs, and expanding scans for additional WCAG 2.0 standards.
August Accessibility Program Managers Meeting Presentations (MS-PPT, December 2019)
June 5, 2019 - The Solicitation Review Tool (SRT) was introduced during this bimonthly accessibility community meeting, which also included a product demo, discussions on machine learning, and a review of analytics results. In addition, we discussed the inclusion of Section 508 in the acquisition lifecycle, and using the Acquisition Requirements Tool (ART) to generate ICT requirements.
April 8, 2019 - Bimonthly meeting topics included discussions on performance metrics and training needs, and an update on training offered by the Access Board.
Performance Measures for Federal Accessibility Programs (MS-PPT, December 2019)
Understanding Accessibility Training Needs for Federal 508 Programs (MS-PPT, December 2019)
Access Board Training Update (MS-PPT, December 2019)
IT Accessibility Community Meeting
February 6, 2018 - Bi-monthly meeting of the Accessibility Community, featuring an interactive session on the new Accessibility Requirements Tool (ART).
Transcript – February 2018 Accessibility Community Meeting (MS-Word, February 2018)
Resources for Section 508 Program Managers (MS-PPT, February 2018)
Section 508 Federal Day
December 5, 2017 - The meeting featured speakers from Microsoft, who shared the latest on creating accessible content.
Welcome and Modernization of IT (MS-PPT, December 2017)
Inclusive Documents - Authoring Accessible Content (MS-PPT, December 2017)
Accessible and Inclusive Sharepoint (MS-PPT, December 2017)
Where to Get Answers and Resources for Microsoft Products (MS-PPT, December 2017)
What's New in Windows and Narrator (MS-PPT, December 2017)
New Features in Office 365 and Conclusion (MS-PPT, December 2017)
Read the transcript for the Section 508 Federal Day event (MS-Word, December 2017)
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Reviewed/Updated: March 2022