OCLC Section 508 Accessibility Template

This template has been filled to assist procurement officials concerned with Web-based applications meeting the accessibility requirements of the Section 508 standards.

Product or Service OCLC FirstSearch (search system)
Version and date 5.0 April 2002
Scope OCLC FirstSearch is a bibliographic and full text search and retrieval system. Over 70 databases from a variety of information providers are provided through a Web-based user interface. General information is available at http://www.oclc.org/firstsearch/.

OCLC FirstSearch consists of the following components:

  • The search system allows users to search for and view bibliographic records and full text.
  • The administrative module allows system administrators to control access to, set default options for the search system.
This document applies to the search system of OCLC FirstSearch service, but it does not make claims about the accessibility of specific databases that may or may not be subscribed to by an institution.

Databases: Within the search system, there are many databases that may be accessed, based on subscription and administrative options. This document does not apply to individual databases in FirstSearch because of the variability of the content provided (e.g., plain text, HTML, Adobe Acrobat files, other proprietary file formats). Individual databases may need to be evaluated for their compliance to Section 508 standards. Periodic review may be necessary if the content of a database is augmented (e.g., the addition of evaluative content in WorldCat).

Specific Publishers and Publications: Within a database, some documents (e.g., full text provided in a variety of formats) from some information providers may need to be evaluated for their compliance to Section 508 standards. In a database like Electronic Collections Online (ECO), which provides full text based on subscriptions to specific serial publications for a specific range of issue numbers, compliance to Section 508 standards may be based on the methods used by that publisher at the time of publication (e.g., scanned images of text, with or without available text identified with Optical Character Recognition (OCR)).

Contact Gary Perlman, perlman@oclc.org
Sections

Section 1194.22: Web-based internet information and applications

Criteria Supporting Features Remarks and Explanations
(a) A text equivalent for every non-text element shall be provided (e.g., via "alt", "longdesc", or in element content).
  • All images (icons and buttons) have descriptive alt text.
Fully compliant.
(b) Equivalent alternatives for any multimedia presentation shall be synchronized with the presentation.   Not applicable. Multimedia is not used in FirstSearch.
(c) Web pages shall be designed so that all information conveyed with color is also available without color, for example from context or markup.
  • Color is always redundant.
  • Colors are checked for contrast by printing the screens on a monochrome printer.
Fully compliant.
(d) Documents shall be organized so they are readable without requiring an associated style sheet.
  • All uses of styles are for minor enhancements and do not conflict with user stylesheets.
Fully compliant.
(e) Redundant text links shall be provided for each active region of a server-side image map.   Not applicable. Server-side imagemaps are not used in FirstSearch.
(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. Client-side image maps are not used in FirstSearch.
(g) Row and column headers shall be identified for data tables.
  • TH tags are used for row and column headers in data tables.
Fully compliant.
(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.   Not applicable. Complex tables are not used for data.
(i) Frames shall be titled with text that facilitates frame identification and navigation
  • Frames are used to display external links and PDF documents, and are given meaningful names.
Fully compliant.
(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. FirstSearch screens and elements do not flicker.
(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.
  • A complete text-only Lynx version of the search service is available.
Not applicable. All graphical web pages are compliant with Section 508 standards.
Fully compliant. The text-only Lynx version of the interface uses the same information in a different format, so it always changes when a graphical version changes.
(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.
  • Features using JavaScript are usable without requiring a mouse.
  • All features are available without JavaScript enabled. JavaScript is only sent to the browser when JavaScript has been detected, so NOSCRIPT tags are not necessary.
Not applicable. JavaScript is not used to display content or create interface elements.
(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 (f). Fully compliant.
(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.
  • LABEL tags associate text with form elements.
  • TITLE attributes are added to many elements to provide additional information.
  • ACCESSKEY attributes are added to search and clear buttons to better support keyboard use.
Fully compliant. Place-holding text is not used in FirstSearch. Although required by tools like Bobby, and recommended by tools like A-Prompt, it reduces the usability of large forms. Because it is claimed to be needed to compensate for some unnamed browsers that have trouble detecting fields with no values, we think this feature is not needed.
(o) A method shall be provided that permits users to skip repetitive navigation links.
  • Links are added at the start of each page in the main screen and in the help screen to skip navigation and begin reading at the screen-specific tips.
Fully compliant.
(p) When a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted and given sufficient time to indicate more time is required.
  • A JavaScript timer displays the time remaining in a session in the status line. When there is one minute left in a session, a JavaScript window pops up and gives the user an option to request more time.
Fully compliant.

Section 1194.31: Functional Performance Criteria

Criteria Supporting Features 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. Fully compliant.
(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.
  • FirstSearch can be used with a screen reader such as IBM Home Page Reader.
  • The text on the screen can be made larger using ordinary browser controls.
Fully compliant.
(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. FirstSearch does not require hearing.
(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. FirstSearch does not require hearing.
(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. FirstSearch does not require speech.
(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.
  • FirstSearch can be used with a keyboard.
Fully compliant.

Information, Documentation, and Support (Subpart D)

Criteria Supporting Features Remarks and Explanations
(a) Product support documentation provided to end-users shall be made available in alternate formats upon request, at no additional charge.
  • FirstSearch documentation is available in print and online forms. The online help is in HTML.
Fully compliant.
(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.
  • This template is meant to address these requests.
Fully compliant.
(c) Support services for products shall accommodate the communication needs of end-users with disabilities.
  • Support is available via phone or e-mail.
Fully compliant.