In this session you will learn about the policies that dictate 508 compliance for games and simulations as well as strategies for implementing these policies. Examples of 508 solutions will be shown, and a process for ensuring that 508 compliance is achieved early in development will be detailed. Attendees will come away from this session with a deeper understanding of both policy and practice.

1. 508 Compliance in
Video Games
Dr. Alicia Sanchez
DAU Games Czar
Serious Play 2017
George Mason University

2. Games
M O M E N T S S I T U A T I O N S E X P E R I E N C E S M E M O R Y L E A R N I N G

3. Civilian Workforce
Self Declared Non Disabled

4. Disabilities
SF 256, created for use by the Federal
workforce, defines an individual with a
disability as “a person who: (1) has a physical
impairment or mental impairment (psychiatric
disability) that substantially limits one or more
of such person’s major life activities; (2) has a
record of such impairment; or (3) is regarded
as having such an impairment.” This definition
is provided by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
as amended (29 U.S.C 701 et. seq.).
Targeted disabilities are set forth in SF 256 to
include developmental disabilities, deafness,
blindness, missing extremities, partial
paralysis, complete paralysis, epilepsy,
intellectual disabilities, psychiatric disabilities,
and dwarfism.

5. Games that stand the test of time
Realistic MaintainableRelevant

6. + =
508
Apply to electronics and IT
procured by the federal
gov’t
225 Telcom
Telcom products and
equipment
WCAG 2.0
Explicit Success Criteria
that are objectively
testable
New Guidance

7. Hearing Impairments
Assistive Listening Devices
TTY
Closed Captioning
Real Time Captioning
Expressive Communication
Impairments
Object Based Communication Displays
Picture Communication Boards & Books
Talking Switches
Voice Output Communication Devices
Computer Communication Devices
Physical Impairments
Adaptive Pointing Devices
Keyboard Adaptations
Visual Impairments
Talking Dictionaries
Braille Writers
CCTV
Screen Reading (like JAWS)
Text Enlargement
Assistive Technologies

9. Navigation Appearance Content Interactions
General Guidelines

10. Navigation
Keyboard Navigation
Audio Controls
Keyboard Traps
Bypass Blocks
Pause Stop Hide
Focus Order
Focus Visible
On Focus
On Input
Multiple Ways
Consistent Navigation & Identification
Name Role Value

11. Appearance
Sensory Characteristics
Use of Color
Contrast
Resize Text
Images of Text
Three or Less Flashes
Headings and Labels

12. Content
Non-Text Content
Audio & Video
Audo & Media Descriptions
Captions
Information & Relationships
Page Title
Link Purpose
Language of Pages & Parts

13. Interactions
Error Suggestion
Error Prevention
Parsing
Meaningful Sequence
Timing Adjustable
Real Time Events

14. Interactions
Error Suggestion & Prevention
3.3.3 Error Suggestion: If an input error is
automatically detected and suggestions for
correction are known, then the suggestions are
provided to the user, unless it would jeopardize
the security or purpose of the content. (Level
AA)
L E A R N M O R E

15. Interactions
Error Suggestion & Prevention
3.3.6 Error Prevention (All): For Web pages
that require the user to submit information, at
least one of the following is true: (Level AAA)
Reversible: Submissions are reversible.
Checked: Data entered by the user is checked
for input errors and the user is provided an
opportunity to correct them.
Confirmed: A mechanism is available for
reviewing, confirming, and correcting
information before finalizing the submission.
L E A R N M O R E

16. Interactions
Time Limits
Specific Benefits of Success Criterion 2.2.3:
People with physical disabilities often need more time to react, to
type and to complete activities. People with low vision need more
time to locate things on screen and to read. People who are blind
and using screen readers may need more time to understand
screen layouts, to find information and to operate controls. People
who have cognitive or language limitations need more time to read
and to understand. People who are deaf and communicate in sign
language may need more time to read information printed in text
(which may be a second language for some).
In circumstances where a sign-language interpreter may be relating
audio content to a user who is deaf, control over time limits is also
important.
L E A R N M O R E

17. Interactions
Time Limits
•A test is designed so that time to complete the test does not
affect the scoring
Rather than calibrating an on-line test using a time limit, the test is
calibrated based on scores when users have no time limits.
•A game is designed so that users take turns rather than
competing in real-time
One party can pause the game without invalidating the competitive
aspect of it
L E A R N M O R E

18. Interactions
Time Limits
2.2.1 Timing Adjustable: For each time limit that is set by the
content, at least one of the following is true: (Level A)
Turn off: The user is allowed to turn off the time limit before
encountering it; or
Adjust: The user is allowed to adjust the time limit before
encountering it over a wide range that is at least ten times the
length of the default setting; or
Extend: The user is warned before time expires and given at least
20 seconds to extend the time limit with a simple action (for
example, "press the space bar"), and the user is allowed to extend
the time limit at least ten times; or
Real-time Exception: The time limit is a required part of a real-
time event (for example, an auction), and no alternative to the time
limit is possible; or
Essential Exception: The time limit is essential and extending it
would invalidate the activity; or
20 Hour Exception: The time limit is longer than 20 hours.

19. Interactions
Meaningful Sequence
For clarity:
Providing a particular linear order is only
required where it affects meaning.
There may be more than one order that is
"correct" (according to the WCAG 2.0
definition).
Only one correct order needs to be provided.

20. Interactions
Meaningful Sequence
Specific Benefits of Success Criterion 1.3.2:
This Success Criterion may help people who
rely on assistive technologies that read content
aloud. The meaning evident in the sequencing
of the information in the default presentation will
be the same when the content is presented in
spoken form.

21. Exemptions
•National Security System?
Section 508 does not apply to ICT being acquired by a Federal agency where the function, operation, or use involves intelligence
activities, cryptologic activities related to national security, command and control of military forces, equipment that is an integral
part of a weapon or weapons system, or systems which are critical to the direct fulfillment of military or intelligence missions. This
exception does not apply to a system that is to be used for routine administrative and business applications (including payroll,
finance, logistics, and personnel management applications).
•Undue burden?
When acquiring a product, if an agency determines that compliance with any provision of this part imposes an undue burden, the
documentation by the agency supporting the acquisition shall explain why, and to what extent, compliance with each such
provision creates an undue burden. If compliance is deemed to impose an undue burden, agencies shall provide information and
data to individuals with disabilities by an alternative means of access that allows those individuals comparable use of
these information and data.
•Commercial non-availability?
When acquiring a product, each agency shall acquire products that comply with applicable section 508 provisions when such
products are available in the commercial marketplace or when such products are developed in response to a Government
solicitation. Agencies cannot claim a product is not commercially available by stating no product in the marketplace meets all the
standards. If products that meet some, but not all, relevant provisions are commercially available, the agency must procure the
product that best meets the standards.
•Fundamental alteration of the nature of product or service?
Section 508 shall not be construed to require a fundamental alteration in the nature of a product or its components.

22. THANK YOU
Dr. Alicia Sanchez
Games Czar, DAU
Alicia.Sanchez@dau.mil
(240) 377-1675