The Revised Section 508 Standards were released in January of 2018. All OAST training resources are being updated to support implementation of the Revised Section 508 Standards.
Where we were: Online training required DHS Accessibility Helpdesk manual registration and account initiation. Multiple browser support was unavailable.
Where we are going: In the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, OAST’s online training system will be delivering new features including:
- An online self-enrollment portal
- Automated wait-list management
- Role-based course tracks
- Multi-browser and operating system access
To use the new system you will need to Self-Register for a new training account. The new training system is located at https://training.section508testing.net.
Trusted Tester
The Trusted Tester process for web and software has been a great success and provides a scalable, repeatable, accurate process for evaluating Section 508 conformance of Web and software products.
Where we were: We are proud to announce the sunset of DHS Trusted Tester V3 and 4 training and certification. Since 2013, we have had the pleasure of certifying over 1,300 trusted testers and we have seen remarkable results from use of trusted tester results by Web and software producers. Trusted Tester V5 is in the final phase of review and approval in the Federal Chief Information Officers Council Accessibility Community of Practice. The training and certification are now in development.
Where we are going: The following courses are expected to be released throughout the first quarter of FY19:
Trusted Tester Course Track
- FACA-ALL-049-B: What Is Section 508 and Why Is It Important?
- DHSA-TT-100-A: Section 508 Standards for Web and Software
- DHSA-TT-150-A: Trusted Tester Tools for Web on Windows
- DHSA-TT-200-A: Trusted Tester - Training for Web on Windows
- DHSA-TT-201-A: Trusted Tester - Practice Exam for Web on Windows
- DHSA-TT-202-A: Trusted Tester - Certification Exam for Web on Windows
Additional training and certification exam for non-Web software will be added later in FY19 as they become available.
Accessible Electronic documents
Authoring and evaluating Section 508 conformance of electronic documents is essential to ensure that official agency communications are accessible for employees and members of the public with disabilities.
Where we were: The Office of Accessible Systems & Technology provides instructor-led training for authoring and evaluation of electronic documents to ensure accessibility.
Where we are going: In the first quarter of FY19, instructor-led training in general will be discontinued in favor of online training with webinar-based instructor support moving forward.
To increase the availability of electronic document accessibility authoring training, the following courses will be released during FY19:
- DHSA-AUTH-050-A: Introduction to Authoring Accessible Documents
- DHSA-AUTH-051-A: Authoring Accessible Microsoft Office 365 Word Documents
- DHSA-AUTH-052-A: Authoring Accessible Microsoft Office 365 Excel Documents
- DHSA-AUTH-053-A: Authoring Accessible Microsoft Office 365 PowerPoint Documents
- DHSA-AUTH-054-A: Authoring Accessible Microsoft Office 365 Outlook Documents
- DHSA-AUTH-055-A: Authoring Accessible PDF Documents
Additional electronic document related trainings will be released as they become available.
Accessibility Management
Managing delivery of accessible information and communications technology is essential within the procurement, development, maintenance and use life cycles. Contracting officer’s representatives, and IT program and project managers must understand their role in ensuring equal access to information and data.
Where we were: FAC49:What is Section 508 and Why Is It Important to You?, and FAC56: Section 508 for Contracting Officer’s Representatives, IT Program and Project Managers online courses have been discontinued as of September 30, 2018.
Where we are going: All accessibility management related courses are being replaced to support the Revised Section 508 Standards. Courses supporting accessibility management are all replaced.
The following courses are expected to be released throughout the first quarter of FY19:
- FACA-ALL-049-B What Is Section 508 and Why Is It Important
- FACA-ITPM-056-B Section 508 for Procurement
- ACPA-508PM-011-A The Play Book for Section 508 Program Maturity
Additional accessibility management related trainings will be released as they become available.
Questions
For any questions, please email the DHS Accessibility Helpdesk at accessibility@hq.dhs.gov.