accessibility

Section 508 has been in effect for over a decade & ensures accessibility of all federally funded software and web-based content. This includes more than just websites, it includes all office documents (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and PDF) as well as applications and multimedia. CQ fluency delivers industry-leading expertise for 508 compliance. We leverage a team of experts who are well versed in Section 508 guidelines, alongside custom technology to seamlessly take your content from non-compliant, to fully compliant.

There are six product categories in the law that have set specific technical standards:

• Software applications and operating systems
• Telecommunications products
• Web-based information and applications
• Video and multimedia products
• Self-contained, closed products
• Desktop and portable computers

“The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.”

–Tim Berners-Lee, W3C Director and inventor of the World Wide Web.

Every organization can have a great impact on the daily lives of people with disabilities by designing a website that is accessible for those with fine motor disabilities, epilepsy, cognitive disabilities, visual impairment and deaf / hard-of-hearing.

The Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative is a partnership between U.S. Attorneys’ offices across the nation and the Department’s Civil Rights Division to verify that healthcare institutions provide equal access to people with disabilities. This includes access to effective communication.  The law prevents healthcare websites from discriminating against people with disabilities and requires compliance with accessibility standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0.

WCAG is the technical standard set by the World Wide Web Consortium for website accessibility, outlining a common definition for what is deemed accessible. This operates under guidelines governed by 4 core principles of accessibility: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.

• WCAG 2.0 was published on 11 December 2008.
• WCAG 2.1 was published on 5 June 2018.
• WCAG 2.2 is the most recent publication in 2021.

CQ fluency is continually monitoring WCAG guidelines, and leverages custom technology to enhance accessibility for your web-based content in conformance with these principles.  If you are a federal agency or one of their contractors (such as a Medicare Advantage/Part D Contractor), you are required to conform with WCAG 2.0.