DoD QOL Information Technology Center

The Business Problem

The DoD Quality of Life Information Technology Center (DoDITC) provides IT applications and website support to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Personnel and Readiness, Military Community & Family Policy. They provide support to the OUSD, P&R, MC&FP, Quality of Life Office, including applications/website development, Technical Assistance Requests (TAR), Collaborative training, and DoD Web Administration Compliance.

DoDITC utilizes a Content Management System (CMS) that powers multiple websites/applications, including use of multi-media, inter-media objects, PDFs, text, etc. Their underlying platform is a dynamic J2EE based N-Tier architecture. Per Federal and Department of Defense policy mandate, Section 508 compliance is the focus of their Web accessibility efforts. However DoDITC manages multiple websites/applications that include thousands of links, PDFs, images, etc., all of which had to be monitored with limited staff. They face the typical challenge and “ongoing" demands to ensure continued compliance with applicable Section 508 policy for several deployments. Site structural testing and link validation pose additional testing challenges because of the robust and dynamic nature of the portals. Their long-term strategy is to automate the process of monitoring for Section 508 and Web quality compliance within an ever increasing dynamic platform.

In order to assist in management of their Web quality assurance program, online privacy directives, and accessibility compliance initiatives, DoDITC implemented HiSoftware’s AccVerify®/AccRepair®, Hi-Caption, Link Validation Utility, AccMonitor Compliance Server software and HiSoftware Web Site Monitor.

The Solution

The DoDITC purchased AccVerify, AccRepair and AccMonitor Compliance Server. AccVerify provides for the verification of accessibility policy and standards required for Web Sites under the Rehabilitation Act Section 508 and W3C® Priority 1 guidelines. As information is added to a Web site, AccVerify reports on whether all elements are in compliance. AccRepair uses the reporting and verification components of AccVerify to launch a repair “wizard” interface, which prompts the user to correct accessibility errors. AccRepair also uses a library that “learns” as repairs are made. Corrections of the same error (for example, associating "alt-text" behind an image) need only be made once. The library then stores the corrected information and auto-corrects the images each time a page is encountered with that image. DoDITC also utilizes Hi-Caption, an included component of AccRepair, to create synchronize captioning for Web based multimedia presentations, and Link Validation Utility, an included component of AccVerify, to test Web properties for broken links, missing images and site structural errors.

DoDITC has also implemented AccMonitor Compliance Server to create scheduled unattended compliancy checks. This allows Web masters to focus on their development efforts and to receive automated reports on accessibility issues as they are identified. They will utilize the included HiSoftware Web Site Monitor for automated link checking, and site quality management efforts. Most recently, the DoDITC staff used HiSoftware solutions to quickly deploy its “Machine Readable Privacy Policy” per DoD requirements.

“Terms such as "Time to Market" and/or "Return on Investment" are over utilized within the IT procurement circles. However, both terms are applicable to HiSoftware product utilization,” according to Major Ramon Lao of the DoDITC. “MilitaryHOMEFRONT utilize HiSoftware software and professional services solutions that assist our staff in the creation and maintenance of accessible Web site content. A staff objective is to be recognized as a good example of a organization that is not only committed to content accessible to all regardless of ability, but an organization that understands the ongoing process necessary to maintain accessible content. ”

 

The

Bottom Line
The combination of HiSoftware’s products offers Web site accessibility verification, repair and monitoring software solutions that assist DoDITC in achieving and maintaining accessible Web sites in compliance with Section 508 standards and W3C  WCAG Priority 1-3 accessibility guidelines.

MilitaryHOMEFRONT is the central, trusted, up-to-date source for Service members and families to obtain information about all Quality of Life programs and services. Whether you live the military lifestyle or support those who do, you'll find what you need! Visit MilitaryHOMEFRONT now!

 

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