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Understanding and Applying
Section 508 Standards

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Using Applets and Plug-Ins:

(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).

While most web browsers can easily read HTML and display it to the user, several private companies have developed proprietary file formats for transmitting and displaying special content, such as multimedia or very precisely defined documents. Because these file formats are proprietary, web browsers cannot ordinarily display them. To make it possible for these files to be viewed by web browsers, add-on programs or "plug-ins" can be downloaded and installed on the user's computer that will make it possible for their web browsers to display or play the content of the files. This provision requires that web pages that provide content such as Real Audio or PDF (Adobe Acrobat's Portable Document Format) files also provide a link to a plug-in that will meet the software provisions. It is very common for a web page to provide links to needed plug-ins. For example, web pages containing Real Audio almost always have a link to a source for the necessary player. This provision places a responsibility on the web page author to know that a compliant application exists, before requiring a plug-in.

Here is an example from the WAC's links page:

Training Video on PDF Accessibility from AccessIT (requires Windows Media Player): “PDF Accessibility” a presentation by Terry Thompson, Technology Specialist with AccessIT, offers detailed help with evaluating PDF files for accessibility and creating accessible PDF using MS Word and Adobe Acrobat plug-ins.

WAC provides a link to the streaming video file, and a link to the Windows Media Player download page, to allow users who don't have the WMP plug-in installed to access video. WAC also provides a link to the home page of AccessIT, in case the video file moves or is offered in other formats on the host site.

Next  Link and graphic of hand pointing to the next page.

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(a) Alternate Descriptions for Non-Text Elements | (b) Synchronization with Multimedia | (c) Use Color for Design, not Context | (d) Using Style Sheets | (e) Server-Side Image Maps | (f) Client-side Image Maps | (g & h) Data Table Headers | (i) Using Frames | (j) Flashing or Flickering Elements | (k) Updating Text-Only Versions | (l) Using Scripts to Create Dynamic Pages | (m) Using Applets and Plug-Ins | (n) Using Online Forms | (o) Skip Navigation Link | (p) Using Time Out Scripts | 508 Checklist | Testing for 508 Compliance |

Return to Start of Section 508 Tutorial

Information in this tutorial adapted from the Section 508 web site: http://www.section508.gov and the Access Board's Guide to the Section 508 Standards for Electronic and Information Technology.