504 Authoring Tools

See also: Final Rule published to the Federal Register 1/18/17 that jointly updates requirements for ICT covered by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and Section 255 of the Communication Act.

504 Authoring Tools

504.1 General.

Where an application is an authoring tool, the application shall conform to 504 to the extent that information required for accessibility is supported by the destination format.

Advisory 504.1 General. One example of an authoring tool is a web application that allows users to create new web pages. Another example is an application for editing video. Authoring tools can also be used to create and publish content for use with telecommunications products or services. One example of a telecommunications authoring tool is an interactive voice response system (IVR) that includes software for the creation of content used to populate menu choices. These requirements for authoring tools enable this content to be accessible.

504.2 Content Creation or Editing.

Authoring tools shall provide a mode of operation to create or edit content that conforms to all Level A and Level AA Success Criteria and all Conformance Requirements in WCAG 2.0 (incorporated by reference in Chapter 1) for all features and formats supported by the authoring tool. Authoring tools shall permit authors the option of overriding information required for accessibility.

Advisory 504.2 Content Creation or Editing. Content is the information and sensory experience to be communicated to the user through software, including code or markup that defines the content’s structure, presentation, and interactions.

EXCEPTION: Authoring tools shall not be required to conform to 504.2 when used to directly edit plain text source code.

Advisory 504.2 Content Creation or Editing - Exception.Examples of authoring tools that are only plain text editors include Emacs and Windows Notepad. This exception also applies to more sophisticated tools when they are used in plain text mode.

504.2.1 Preservation of Information Provided for Accessibility in Format Conversion.

Authoring tools shall, when converting content from one format to another or saving content in multiple formats, preserve the information required for accessibility to the extent that the information is supported by the destination format.

Advisory 504.2.1 Preservation of Information Provided for Accessibility in Format Conversion. One example of how accessibility information is preserved occurs when HTML is exported from a word processor. In this case, alternative text associated with embedded images follows the native word processing format to the HTML source code. By controlling the accessibility information in the destination format, the author can ensure consistent use of that information in both formats.

504.3 Prompts.

Authoring tools shall provide a mode of operation that prompts authors to create content that conforms to all Level A and Level AA Success Criteria and all Conformance Requirements in WCAG 2.0 (incorporated by reference in Chapter 1). Authoring tools shall provide the option for prompts during initial content creation or when the content is saved.

Advisory 504.3 Prompts. Prompts do not need to be provided for every component in the content. Intrusive or overused prompts can decrease usability. Examples of prompts that are activated when the content is near completion are automated checks and wizards.

504.4 Templates.

Where templates are provided, templates allowing content creation that conforms to all Level A and Level AA Success Criteria and all Conformance Requirements in WCAG 2.0 (incorporated by reference in Chapter 1) shall be provided for a range of template uses.

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36 CFR Part 1194 - Proposed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Standards and Guidelines NPRM