This section describes 508 compliance for surveys that are created using UNICOM Intelligence Interviewer Server and made available to participants over a browser. This section does not address UNICOM Intelligence applications that are used to create, launch, manage, or analyze surveys. The scope of the section is limited only to the online surveys produced by Interviewer Server.

Interviewer Server 3.0 was found to be substantially compliant with Section 508 accessibility requirements. Any enhancements that are made on 508 compliance in a particular release are available in future releases. Interviewer Server 3.1 was in 508 compliance, at a Priority 1 level. Interviewer Server 4.5 was in 508 compliance at a Priority 2.

Interviewer Server 7.0 introduced the IncludeGridControlAltLabels attribute that controls whether alternative text will be added to the rendered HTML for controls within a table. The attribute must be included in the template XML, and set to True, in order for rendered grid questions to be 508 compliant (and for 508 compliant screen readers to properly read the questions).

The definition of the Priority levels and how they relate to 508 compliance can be found in Background to 508 compliance.

In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. Inaccessible technology interferes with an individual's ability to obtain and use information quickly and easily. Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities, and to encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals. The law applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. Under Section 508 (29 U.S.C. '794d), agencies must give disabled employees and members of the public access to information that is comparable to the access available to others.

Most of the specifications for software pertain to usability for people with vision impairments. For example, one provision requires alternative keyboard navigation, which is essential for people with vision impairments who cannot rely on pointing devices, such as a mouse. Other provisions address animated displays, color and contrast settings, flash rate, and electronic forms, among others.

The World Wide Web Consortium was created in October 1994 to lead the World Wide Web to its full potential by developing common protocols that promote its evolution and ensure its interoperability. The “Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0" is a W3C specification providing guidance on accessibility of Web sites for people with disabilities with checkpoints. Most countries, including the European Union, have adopted standards based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) of the World Wide Web Consortium.

Section 508 is based on W3C priority 1 checkpoints.

A Web content developer must satisfy this checkpoint. Otherwise, one or more groups will find it impossible to access information in the document. Satisfying this checkpoint is a basic requirement for some groups to be able to use Web documents.

A Web content developer should satisfy this checkpoint. Otherwise, one or more groups will find it difficult to access information in the document. Satisfying this checkpoint will remove significant barriers to accessing Web documents.

A Web content developer may address this checkpoint. Otherwise, one or more groups will find it somewhat difficult to access information in the document. Satisfying this checkpoint will improve access to Web documents.

Conformance Level “A”: all Priority 1 checkpoints are satisfied;

Conformance Level “AA”: all Priority 1 and 2 checkpoints are satisfied;

Conformance Level “AAA”: all Priority 1, 2, and 3 checkpoints are satisfied.

Representative surveys were created and then tested with lynx 2.8.3, JAWS 5.0, and manual review by internal staff.

During testing process for 508 compliance some issues have been found, however none of these are a significant barrier to 508 compliance and most have easily accessible workarounds. UNICOM Systems, Inc. takes these issues seriously and is planning improvements for future releases of UNICOM Intelligence Interviewer Server that will ensure that the product and it’s output continues to be usable with the leading assistive technologies.

Issue found fall into two categories: