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CommonLook Checkpoints

In addition to the specific Section 508 requirements, CommonLook Office assesses the following Checkpoints to ensure the highest quality reading experience:

Styles Checkpoint

Check for the correct use of styles in the Word document. More information.

Style Mapping Checkpoint

Verify that Word Styles are mapped correctly to PDF tags. More information.

Heading Nesting Level Checkpoint

Programmatically verify that headings are properly nested. More information.

Overlapping Objects Checkpoint

Check for overlapping objects that may hide text in the Word document. More information.

Lists Checkpoint

Verify that lists have been structured correctly in the Word document. More information.

Font Substitution Checkpoint

Identify any document fonts which are missing from the system and ensure they are substituted with appropriate fonts prior to the creation of the PDF document. More information.

CommonLook Office PDF Accessibility Wizard helps make Word documents - and PDF documents generated by CommonLook Office - compliant with the following accessibility and usability checkpoints.

1194.22 Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications (Section 508)

The current 2001 Section 508 checkpoints are consistent with W3C 2.0 Guidelines and provide achievable, well documented guidelines for implementation. The description of the checkpoints is provided in Access Board - Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications (1194.22).

(a) Text Tags

A text equivalent for every non-text element shall be provided (e.g., via "alt", "longdesc", or in element content). More information.

(b) Multimedia Presentations

Equivalent alternatives for any multimedia presentation shall be synchronized with the presentation. CommonLook Office checks for the presence of multimedia presentations and, if any are found, alerts the user to verify that they are synchronized with the presentation. It should be noted that CommonLook Office does not copy any multimedia objects to the generated PDF.

(c) Color

Web pages shall be designed so that all information conveyed with color is also available without color, for example from context or markup. More information.

(d) Readability

Documents shall be organized so they are readable without requiring an associated style sheet. CommonLook Office automatically creates PDF documents that are properly tagged and ordered.

(e) Server-Side Image Map

Redundant text links shall be provided for each active region of a server-side image map. This checkpoint is not applicable to MS Word documents

(f) Client-Side Image Map

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. This checkpoint is not applicable to MS Word documents.

(g) and (h) Data Tables

Row and column headers shall be identified for data tables. More information.

(i) Frames

Frames shall be titled with text that facilitates frame identification and navigation. This checkpoint is not applicable to MS Word documents.

(j) Flicker Rate

Pages shall be designed to avoid causing the screen to flicker with a frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz. CommonLook Office alerts the user to the presence of any elements that could cause flickering such as animated GIFs or scripts.

(k) A text-only page

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. This checkpoint is not applicable to MS Word documents.

(l) Scripts

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. CommonLook Office alerts the user to the presence of scripts and, if any are found, it informs the user that such scripts will not be converted to PDF.

(m) Applets and Plug-ins

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). This checkpoint is not applicable to MS Word documents.

(n) Electronic Forms

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. More information.

(o) Navigation Links

A method shall be provided that permits users to skip repetitive navigation links. CommonLook Office checks for repetitive navigation links. If two or more links in the document point to the same location, the user is warned.

(p) Timed Response

When a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted and given sufficient time to indicate more time is required. This checkpoint is not applicable to MS Word documents.