Accessibility
This Web site has been developed to conform to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (as amended). Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers to information technology, to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities and to encourage the development of new technologies to help achieve these goals. This law requires that Federal agencies give all individuals with disabilities access to information and data comparable to that which is available to individuals without disabilities.
Browser Settings
FederalReporting.gov was developed and tested to work with Internet Explorer (version 6.0 and above) and Firefox (version 2.0 and above). In order for the features and functionality of FederalReporting.gov to work properly, users must have JavaScript enabled in their browser.
Cascading Style Sheets are used to control the visual formatting and presentation. FederalReporting.gov is not designed to interfere with user-defined style sheets. Moreover, if a user's browser or browsing device does not support style sheets at all, the content of each page is still readable and understandable.
Text Size
FederalReporting.gov uses scalable font measurements designed to work with a browser's text resizing options.
In addition, on the top right of any page on FederalReporting.gov there is a text resizing feature consisting of the word "Text" followed by 3 "A" image links that allow the user to select the text size they prefer on the page:
- the first link (
) increases the text size - the next link (
) decreases the text size - the final link (
)can be used to reset the text to the default size available on the site.
Text Equivalents
Text equivalents are provided for all images on the site to aid users who listen to the content of the site by using a screen reader or Braille display, rather than reading the site. Text equivalents also benefit users who, due to slow download speeds or security concerns, choose to disable the display of images in their browser.
Navigation
Every FederalReporting.gov page should be fully accessible with a keyboard; a mouse is not required.
Skip to Links
Located at the top left of each page of the Web site, the "Skip to Main Content" link allows users to bypass the global navigation links in the page header and quickly skip to the main content of the page. This feature may be helpful if you are using a screen magnifier or screen reader, are a keyboard user, or are viewing the site on a small screen.
Headings
Text used as a section heading is semantically defined as such to help blind and low-vision users understand the structure and layout of the page. Screen reader users may also choose to use headings to navigate the page.
Links That Open a New Browser Window
On some pages, text links or image links will trigger a new browser window to open.
Text links that open a new browser window are denoted as follows:
- A small icon (
) appears after the link text to indicate that the link will open in a new browser window. - The icon's text equivalent is defined as the phrase "Opens a new window."
Image links that open a new browser window are denoted as follows:
- The image's text equivalent and the link's title attribute will conclude with the phrase "Opens a new window."
CAPTCHA Alternatives
The FederalReporting.gov registration form uses information in a distorted image to prevent misuse of the site; this technique is known as CAPTCHA which stands for "Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart". If users have trouble seeing the image they can use an alternate audio-based registration form or they may contact the Service Desk for assistance in registering over the phone.
The audio-based registration page requires that you have an audio player installed on your computer. Common media players include: Real Player, Quicktime, and Windows Media Player. In order to hear the audio clip, screen reader users may need to pause their screen reader as soon as the new audio player window opens.
Reporting Format Alternatives
Three file formats are available for registered FederalReporting.gov users to submit ARRA reporting data:
- Online HTML Form
- Downloadable Excel (.xls) workbook
- Downloadable XML Schema
The Web-based HTML format provides the greatest degree of accessibility and is designed to conform to Section 508 accessibility standards.
Support
Although the new FederalReporting.gov is still in its initial stages, we are constantly updating FederalReporting.gov in an attempt to make it as accessible as possible. FederalReporting.gov welcomes comments on how to improve the site's accessibility for users with disabilities.
In addition, if you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader, screen magnifier, voice recognition software, alternative input device, etc.) and have difficulty accessing information on FederalReporting.gov, please contact the Service Desk and provide:
- the URL (Web address) of the material you tried to access
- the problem you experienced
- your contact information
A FederalReporting.gov Service Desk representative will attempt to help you find the information you were seeking.
