Is Sharepoint 508 Compliant?
As a professional writer, it is important to understand the importance of the web accessibility guidelines set by the U.S. government. These guidelines, known as the Section 508 Compliance, are designed to make sure websites are accessible to individuals with disabilities. One of the more popular tools used for creating and managing websites is SharePoint. This article will explain whether or not SharePoint is compliant with the Section 508 guidelines.
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Is SharePoint 508 Compliant?
SharePoint is a web-based collaboration platform developed by Microsoft that businesses use to share documents, track projects, and manage workflows. It is a powerful tool for businesses to increase their productivity. One of the main questions that businesses have when considering SharePoint is whether it is 508 compliant.
What is 508 Compliance?
508 compliance is a US federal law that requires all electronic and information technology (EIT) developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government to be accessible to people with disabilities. This includes creating content that is accessible to people with disabilities. 508 compliance is important for businesses to ensure their workflows, documents, and other technology are accessible to everyone, regardless of disability.
Does SharePoint Meet 508 Compliance Requirements?
SharePoint is 508 compliant, which means it meets the standards set forth by the US federal law. It is compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which requires that all EIT developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government be accessible to people with disabilities. SharePoint is also compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, a set of international standards for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities.
How Can I Make My SharePoint Content 508 Compliant?
To make your SharePoint content 508 compliant, there are a few steps you can take. First, ensure that your content is written in plain language and is easy to understand. This will make it easier for people with disabilities to access and understand your content.
Second, make sure that your content is optimized for accessibility. This includes adding alternative text to images, providing transcripts for audio and video content, and adding captions for videos.
Third, use SharePoint’s built-in accessibility features to make your content more accessible. These features include adding accessibility checkers to documents, providing keyboard shortcuts, and adding accessibility labels to images and other elements.
What Other Technologies Are 508 Compliant?
In addition to SharePoint, there are several other technologies that are 508 compliant. These include Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and Adobe Flash Player. Additionally, several popular web browsers, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome, are 508 compliant.
Conclusion
In conclusion, SharePoint is 508 compliant and can be used by businesses to make their content more accessible to people with disabilities. Additionally, there are several other technologies that are 508 compliant, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and Adobe Flash Player. By using these technologies, businesses can ensure their content is compliant with the US federal law.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SharePoint?
SharePoint is a web-based collaboration platform developed by Microsoft. It enables organizations to store, organize, share and access information from a central hub. It provides users with secure access to documents, data, and other resources, as well as tools for search, communication, and collaboration.
SharePoint also provides an environment for web development, allowing users to create custom applications and sites. It is available in a variety of versions, including on-premises, online, and cloud-hosted versions.
Is SharePoint 508 Compliant?
Yes, SharePoint is 508 compliant, meaning it meets the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. This act requires that all electronic and information technology used by the federal government be accessible to those with disabilities.
SharePoint provides features such as alternative text descriptions for images, support for keyboard navigation, and the ability to read aloud content. It also supports the use of assistive technologies such as screen readers. Microsoft provides detailed guidance on how to configure SharePoint to be 508 compliant.
What is Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act?
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act is a federal law that requires electronic and information technology used by the federal government to be accessible to those with disabilities. This includes providing access to web content, software, and hardware.
The law requires that any technology used by the government must be accessible to people with disabilities, including those who are blind, deaf, or have other physical or mental impairments. This includes providing alternative text descriptions for images, support for keyboard navigation, and the ability to read aloud content.
What does it mean for a website to be 508 compliant?
Being 508 compliant means that a website meets the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. This includes providing access to web content, software, and hardware that is accessible to people with disabilities, including those who are blind, deaf, or have other physical or mental impairments.
In order to be 508 compliant, websites must provide features such as alternative text descriptions for images, support for keyboard navigation, and the ability to read aloud content. They must also support the use of assistive technologies such as screen readers.
What are the benefits of using SharePoint?
SharePoint provides a number of benefits to organizations. It enables users to securely store, organize, and share documents and data from a central hub. It also provides tools for search, communication, and collaboration.
SharePoint also provides an environment for web development, allowing users to create custom applications and sites. It is available in a variety of versions, including on-premises, online, and cloud-hosted versions. This makes it a versatile and powerful platform for businesses of all sizes.
Sharepoint 508 compliance is essential for businesses that need to provide a safe and accessible online environment for their employees. The platform is designed to meet the legal requirements set by the US Government, and it offers a range of features that make it a great choice for businesses looking to provide a secure and compliant online experience. With its intuitive interface, powerful features, and reliable compliance, Sharepoint is an excellent choice for businesses needing to ensure a safe and accessible online environment for their users.