Technology Lifecycle Activities - Government-wide Section 508 Assessment Criteria

Indicate how your agency identifies and prioritizes risk of Section 508 non-conformant ICT throughout the technology development lifecycle. (*Required)

Select one:

1. Risk related to Section 508 non-conformance is not assessed during any part of the technology development lifecycle
2. Any Section 508-related risk assessment is ad hoc or sometimes used
3. A risk model for ICT development and defect remediation that incorporates Section 508 considerations exists and is regularly used
4. A risk model is frequently used to determine risk related to Section 508 non-conformance during the technology development lifecycle, including prioritization for remediating ICT products
5. A risk model is almost always used to determine risk related to Section 508 non-conformance during the technology development lifecycle, including prioritization for remediating almost all ICT products, and resulting risk assessments are incorporated into milestone reviews and deployment decisions
6. N/A - the agency does not engage in any technology lifecycle activities

To what extent do your quality assurance activities include actions to address vendors/contractors who produce or deliver inaccessible ICT despite contractual requirements to conform to Section 508 standards? (*Required)

Select one:

1. No action is taken to address vendor non-compliance
2. Escalation occurs sometimes, but generally on an ad hoc basis, resulting in limited actions taken (e.g., contract actions and/or consequences rarely occur)
3. Processes are developed for complaint escalation for vendor non-compliance and actions are regularly taken to enforce accessibility
4. Processes are developed for complaint escalation for vendor non-compliance and actions are frequently taken to enforce accessibility
5. Processes are almost always used for complaint escalation, when necessary, and actions are almost always taken to enforce accessibility and/or penalties (e.g., financial penalties are applied, vendors/contractors removed from future consideration when ICT accessibility standards are not met or regular complaints are lodged and not addressed)
6. N/A - agency does not rely on contract/vendor support for ICT development or does not develop ICT

Indicate the extent to which agency staff who are involved in technology development lifecycle activities have sufficient knowledge and skill to ensure ICT is accessible. (*Required)

Select one:

1. We do not have knowledgeable agency staff
2. Knowledgeable staff is not integrated into lifecycle activities
3. Knowledgeable agency staff is sometimes integrated in lifecycle development activities
4. Knowledgeable agency staff is regularly integrated in lifecycle development activities
5. Knowledgeable agency staff is frequently integrated in lifecycle development activities
6. Knowledgeable agency staff is almost always integrated into lifecycle development activities and active feedback loops create innovative ways to meet accessibility needs
7. N/A - agency does not have a formal technology development lifecycle

Indicate the extent to which ICT accessibility is integrated throughout technology development lifecycle activities. (*Required)

Select one:

1. ICT accessibility considerations are never included in the technology development lifecycle
2. ICT accessibility considerations are sometimes included in the technology development lifecycle
3. ICT accessibility requirements are regularly included in the technology development lifecycle
4. ICT accessibility requirements are frequently included in the technology development lifecycle, usability, accessibility and AT testing are performed, and post-implementation IT reviews are conducted
5. ICT accessibility requirements are almost always included in the technology development lifecycle, universal design best practices are followed and accessible component re-use & sharing of accessible concepts and solutions
6. N/A - agency does not have a formal technology development lifecycle