Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT)

This Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) assists Federal officials in assessing the accessibility of our product(s). The first part of this document lists the features of LetsGoVote that comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and those that do not comply. For the compliant features, the second part of the document provides more detail about how the requirements of Section 508 are met and lists exceptions.

Date: 25 November 2008
Name of product: LetsGoVote
Contact for more information: info@letsgovote.com

Compliant Features

LetsGoVote is Section 508 compliant subject to the exceptions detailed in this document.

Compliance Details

The first table below summarizes the Section 508 requirements as defined by the subsections in the Act, and states in general terms the level of support provided by the compliant features of the product. Subsequent tables break down the requirements into criteria as defined by the lettered paragraphs of the Act, and state in greater detail the level of support provided by the product.

Additional remarks and explanations regarding accessibility are given where appropriate in the last column of the table along with descriptions of any exceptions.

Note that for this release the following Assistive Technology was used to verify accessibility: JAWS version 5.0.

Summary Table

Section	Level of support	Remarks and explanations
1194.21 Software applications and operating systems	Not applicable	LetsGoVote is not a "Software applications and operating systems"
1194.22 Web-based Internet information and applications	The product is created to meet this requirement subject to the comments in the table below.	Please refer to the VPAT details
1194.23 Telecommunications products	Not applicable	LetsGoVote is not a "telecommunications product".
1194.24 Video and multi-media products	Not applicable	LetsGoVote is not a "Video and multi-media product"
1194.25 Self-contained, closed products	Not applicable	LetsGoVote is not a "Self-contained, closed product"
1194.26 Desktop and portable computers	Not applicable	LetsGoVote is not a "Desktop and portable computer"
1194.31 Functional performance criteria	The product is created to meet this requirement subject to the comments in the table below.	Please refer to the VPAT details
1194.41 Information, documentation, and support	The product is created to meet this requirement subject to the comments in the table below.	Please refer to the VPAT details

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Section 1194.21 Software applications and operating systems - Detail

Criterion	Level of support	Remarks and explanations
(a) When software is designed to run on a system that has a keyboard, product functions shall be executable from a keyboard where the function itself or the result of performing a function can be discerned textually.	Not applicable
(b) Applications shall not disrupt or disable activated features of other products that are identified as accessibility features, where those features are developed and documented according to industry standards. Applications also shall not disrupt or disable activated features of any operating system that are identified as accessibility features where the application programming interface for those accessibility features has been documented by the manufacturer of the operating system and is available to the product developer.	Not applicable
(c) A well-defined on-screen indication of the current focus shall be provided that moves among interactive interface elements as the input focus changes. The focus shall be programmatically exposed so that Assistive Technology can track focus and focus changes.	Not applicable
(d) Sufficient information about a user interface element including the identity, operation and state of the element shall be available to Assistive Technology. When an image represents a program element, the information conveyed by the image must also be available in text.	Not applicable
(e) When bitmap images are used to identify controls, status indicators, or other programmatic elements, the meaning assigned to those images shall be consistent throughout an application's performance.	Not applicable
(f) Textual information shall be provided through operating system functions for displaying text. The minimum information that shall be made available is text content, text input caret location, and text attributes.	Not applicable
(g) Applications shall not override user selected contrast and color selections and other individual display attributes.	Not applicable
(h) When animation is displayed, the information shall be displayable in at least one non-animated presentation mode at the option of the user.	Not Applicable
(i) Color coding shall not be used as the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element.	Not applicable
(j) When a product permits a user to adjust color and contrast settings, a variety of color selections capable of producing a range of contrast levels shall be provided.	Not applicable
(k) Software shall not use flashing or blinking text, objects, or other elements having a flash or blink frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz.	Not applicable
(l) When electronic forms are used, the form shall allow people using Assistive Technology to access the information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues.	Not applicable

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Section 1194.22 Web-based Internet information and applications - Detail

Criterion	Level of support	Remarks and explanations
(a) A text equivalent for every non-text element shall be provided (e.g., via "alt", "longdesc", or in element content).	Supported	The product provides a text equivalent (using "alt") for non-text elements.
(b) Equivalent alternatives for any multimedia presentation shall be synchronized with the presentation.	Not Applicable	The product does not use multimedia.
(c) Web pages shall be designed so that all information conveyed with color is also available without color, for example from context or markup.	Supported	The product is designed so that all information conveyed with color is also available without color using context or mark-up.
(d) Documents shall be organized so they are readable without requiring an associated style sheet.	Supported	The product can be used without the associated style sheet.
(e) Redundant text links shall be provided for each active region of a server-side image map.	Not Applicable	The product does not use image maps.
(f) Client-side image maps shall be provided instead of server-side image maps except where the regions cannot be defined with an available geometric shape.	Not Applicable	The product does not use image maps.
(g) Row and column headers shall be identified for data tables.	Supported	The product identifies column headers and rows
(h) Markup shall be used to associate data cells and header cells for data tables that have two or more logical levels of row or column headers.	Supported	Markup is used to properly present data tables when used.
(i) Frames shall be titled with text that facilitates frame identification and navigation	Not Applicable	Frames are not used on the site
(j) Pages shall be designed to avoid causing the screen to flicker with a frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz.	Not Applicable	The product does not use multimedia or animation.
(k) A text-only page, with equivalent information or functionality, shall be provided to make a web site comply with the provisions of this part, when compliance cannot be accomplished in any other way. The content of the text-only page shall be updated whenever the primary page changes.	Not Applicable	Text-only pages are not required because the product is compliant with Section 1194.22.
(l) When pages utilize scripting languages to display content, or to create interface elements, the information provided by the script shall be identified with functional text that can be read by Assistive Technology.	Supported	The product uses JavaScript and has been tested using Assistive Technology (JAWS) to ensure the output from scripts is accessible.
(m) When a web page requires that an applet, plug-in or other application be present on the client system to interpret page content, the page must provide a link to a plug-in or applet that complies with §1194.21(a) through (l).	Not Applicable	The product does not require the use of plug-in applications.
(n) When electronic forms are designed to be completed on-line, the form shall allow people using Assistive Technology to access the information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues.	Supported	The product uses appropriate mark-up and has been tested using Assistive Technology (JAWS) to ensure the forms are accessible.
(o) A method shall be provided that permits users to skip repetitive navigation links.	Supported	A "skip to content" function is available to skip repetitive navigation links.
(p) When a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted and given sufficient time to indicate more time is required.	Not Applicable	The product does not require timed responses.

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Section 1194.31 Functional performance criteria - Detail

Criterion	Level of support	Remarks and explanations
(a) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user vision shall be provided, or support for Assistive Technology used by people who are blind or visually impaired shall be provided.	Supported with exceptions The product was tested with screen-reader technology and can be used by blind or visually impaired users of such technology subject to the exceptions in the next column.	The system accepts text messages entered by users who are using their personal cell phones. Thus it is assumed that individuals who respond with their personal cell phones have been accommodated appropriately. The "Question" and "View Results" pages are used to show an audience a question, and show the audience the results of voting. As this is a presentation tool, the presenter is responsible for communicating the questions and results to the audience; the system does not communicate back to the individuals who have responded via sms/text messaging.
(b) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require visual acuity greater than 20/70 shall be provided in audio and enlarged print output working together or independently, or support for Assistive Technology used by people who are visually impaired shall be provided.	Supported	1. The product was tested with screen-readers, magnification software (ZoomText) and broswer viewing/magnification tools included in most browserstechnology, and can be used by blind or visually impaired users of such technology. 2. The product also has a user customization function (Accessiblity Settings link) allowing the user to customize font, size, color, and background to create optimal visual performance.
(c) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user hearing shall be provided, or support for Assistive Technology used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing shall be provided	Not Applicable	The product does not use audio to convey information.
(d) Where audio information is important for the use of a product, at least one mode of operation and information retrieval shall be provided in an enhanced auditory fashion, or support for assistive hearing devices shall be provided.	Not Applicable	The product does not use audio to convey information.
(e) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require user speech shall be provided, or support for Assistive Technology used by people with disabilities shall be provided.	Not Applicable	The product does not require speech input.
(f) At least one mode of operation and information retrieval that does not require fine motor control or simultaneous actions and that is operable with limited reach and strength shall be provided.	Supported	Features that require fine motor control are also accessible using the keyboard.

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Section 1194.41 Information, documentation, and support - Detail

Criterion	Level of support	Remarks and explanations
(a) Product support documentation provided to end-users shall be made available in alternate formats upon request, at no additional charge.	Supported	Support documentation is provided in an accessible electronic format on the site (www.letsgovote.com)
(b) End-users shall have access to a description of the accessibility and compatibility features of products in alternate formats or alternate methods upon request, at no additional charge.	Supported	Information about accessibility features of LetsGoVote is available in HTML format on the Accessiblity link on the LetsGoVote site
(c) Support services for products shall accommodate the communication needs of end-users with disabilities.	Supported with exceptions	LetsGoVote provides various support options for the use of the LetsGoVote website. Customers can obtain support using the LetsGoVote Web site (Support/Help links) and by email. Telephone support for deaf individuals is provided via TTY. LetsGoVote does not provide support for the use of cell phones and their respective text messaging processes. Users are referred to their respective manufacturer of their phone.

Criterion

Level of support

Remarks and explanations

(a) Product support documentation provided to end-users shall be made available in alternate formats upon request, at no additional charge.

Supported

Support documentation is provided in an accessible electronic format on the site (www.letsgovote.com)

(b) End-users shall have access to a description of the accessibility and compatibility features of products in alternate formats or alternate methods upon request, at no additional charge.

Supported

Information about accessibility features of LetsGoVote is available in HTML format on the Accessiblity link on the LetsGoVote site

Supported with exceptions

LetsGoVote provides various support options for the use of the LetsGoVote website. Customers can obtain support using the LetsGoVote Web site (Support/Help links) and by email. Telephone support for deaf individuals is provided via TTY.

LetsGoVote does not provide support for the use of cell phones and their respective text messaging processes. Users are referred to their respective manufacturer of their phone.

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Note that in addition to the exceptions described above, the following components included in this release of LetsGoVote are not yet fully compliant with Section 508. The Remarks column lists compliant alternatives where they exist.

Component	Remarks
Cell phones used to respond to questions displayed by the LetsGoVote system.	The LetsGoVote web site utilized by presenters to show questions and the results to a target audience is compliant for the user: the individual creating the questions. Individuals responding to presented by the LetsGoVote system use their own cell phones. Therefore, accessibility of the cell phones utilized to respond to the questions is unknown and not under any control or responsiblity of LetsGoVote to provide accessibility.

Component

Remarks

Cell phones used to respond to questions displayed by the LetsGoVote system.

The LetsGoVote web site utilized by presenters to show questions and the results to a target audience is compliant for the user: the individual creating the questions. Individuals responding to presented by the LetsGoVote system use their own cell phones. Therefore, accessibility of the cell phones utilized to respond to the questions is unknown and not under any control or responsiblity of LetsGoVote to provide accessibility.