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SAMHSA's Section 508 Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are questions contractors have asked the Webmaster to clarify. We will continue to update this page as new questions are received.

Top Rated Section 508 FAQ's

What is the process for requesting a 508 Assessment?

How do I update my website if SAMHSA is hosting it?

How do I perform an automated test in Acrobat 8 Professional?

How Do I perform a manual test in Acrobat 8 Professional?

What is SAMHSA's Section 508 Team looking for when they use Assistive Technology (primarily JAWS) to test documents or site?

What fonts can I use in my documents?

How do I tag Tables in HTML using the 'Scopes' attribute?

How do I tag large complex data tables in HTML?
Here is a good tutorial by the University of Wisconsin http://www.doit.wisc.edu/accessibility/online-course/standards/tables.htm#explanationh

Do I have to caption video or audio files if I already have a text equivalent?
Yes. Video files must be captioned, but audio files do not have to be captioned as long as the link to the audio files are accompanied by a link to a full, unabridged text transcript of the audio.

My site is private and requires users to login. Do i still have to make this area of the site 508 compliant?
Yes! Any SAMHSA funded site, whether public or private, must be 508 compliant.

Who is ultimately responsible for making web content and PDF files 508 compliant?

  • Web Sites: The website developers are responsible for making sure all code and documents on a website are 508 compliant before posting to the web.
  • Documents (PDF, Word, PPT etc): Whoever authored the document is responsible for making sure the file is 508 compliant before distibuting it, or placing it on a web site.

Does SAMHSA recommend any 508 testing tools for web sites and PDF testing?

  • Website Testing: SAMHSA previously purchased Watchfire Bobby to test SAMHSA funded websites. Now that Watchfire Bobby is no longer available for purchase, SAMHSA is evaluating other testing tools. Contractors should evaluate all the available 508 compliancy tools and choose one that is right for them.
  • PDF Testing: SAMHSA uses Adobe Acrobat 8.112 for both creating and testing of PDF files. Acrobat 8 is currently the only version of Acrobat software that has a Section 508 testing tool. There are other testing tools on the market that contractors may want to evaluate for testing PDF files, however SAMHSA staff has no experience with them.
  • Assisted Technology Testing: SAMHSA currently uses JAWS v. 9 to test all of its documents and web sites.

Can I use Adobe Acrobat 7 to test my PDF files?
No. Acrobat 7 does not have the built in "Section 508 accessibility checker". Only Acrobat 8 or higher has this feature.

Do I still have to add the Language property to my PDF file if Adobe Acrobat 8 does not test my Document Properties?
Yes! You must ensure that the language property has been set to "English" or the appropriate langauge before sending or posting the PDF file.

EMAIL CORRESPONDENCES - Contractors

Can I contact the SAMHSA Webmaster directly?

Yes. You may contact the SAMHSA Webmaster via email at webmaster@samhsa.hhs.gov unless it is an emergency. Only in emergency situations should you call the SAMHSA Webmaster. The reason email correspondence is so important is because you must keep your Project Officer in the loop at all times. Since you must CC your Project Officer on all emails to SAMHSA's Webmaster, we prefer this mode of communication.

Can I contact the Office of Communications directly?
No. You should ask your Project Officer to contact the OC if you have a question.

Do I have to CC my Project Officer in other emails I send to SAMHSA staff?
YES! In all correspondences with SAMHSA staff (including Webmaster) you must provide a copy (usually via CC) to your Project Officer.

Last Update: 03/27/2008