A
Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR)
A document completed by a supplier that describes how their product meets accessibility standards. ACRs are typically produced using the VPAT template. Reviewing an ACR helps procurement teams assess whether a product is likely to meet accessibility requirements before purchase.
Alternative Text (Alt Text)
A written description added to images, charts, and other non-text elements that conveys the same information to users who cannot see the image. Screen readers read alt text aloud. Alt text should be meaningful and descriptive — not "image123.jpg" or simply "image."
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
A federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Title II of the ADA applies to state and local governments and requires that programs, services, and activities — including digital services — be accessible to people with disabilities.
ADA Title II
The section of the Americans with Disabilities Act that applies to state and local governments. A 2024 DOJ final rule established that Title II requires web content and mobile applications to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Compliance deadlines vary by entity size.
Assistive Technology (AT)
Hardware or software that helps people with disabilities access digital content. Common examples include screen readers, screen magnifiers, voice recognition software, and refreshable Braille displays. Accessibility testing with assistive technology confirms that content works in real-world use, not just automated scans.
Audio Description
A narration track added to video content that describes key visual information — such as on-screen text, actions, and visual cues — for users who are blind or have low vision. Audio descriptions are required when visual content is essential to understanding the material.
Automated Accessibility Testing
The use of software tools to scan digital content for common accessibility issues. Automated tools such as WAVE, Axe, and Lighthouse can identify many issues quickly but cannot catch everything. Manual and assistive technology testing are always required alongside automated scans.
C
Captions
A synchronized text representation of audio content in video, including dialogue, speaker identification, and relevant sound effects. Captions differ from subtitles in that they are designed for users who cannot hear the audio, not just users who speak a different language. Auto-generated captions must always be reviewed and corrected before publishing.
D
Digital Accessibility
The practice of designing and developing digital content, tools, and technology so they can be used by all people, including those with disabilities. This includes websites, documents, applications, multimedia, and digital learning environments.
I
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
A broad term for technology used to create, store, transmit, and manage information. In the context of accessibility, ICT includes websites, software, hardware, documents, and digital services. Section 508 applies to ICT procured, developed, or used by federal agencies.
J
JAWS (Job Access With Speech)
A widely used commercial screen reader for Windows. JAWS is commonly used in enterprise and government environments and is a standard tool for accessibility testing.
M
Manual Accessibility Testing
Testing performed by a human evaluator — rather than an automated tool — to assess whether digital content is accessible and usable. Manual testing evaluates elements that automated tools cannot reliably check, such as logical reading order, meaningful link text, and usability with a keyboard or screen reader.
N
NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access)
A free, open-source screen reader for Windows. NVDA is widely used for accessibility testing and is commonly paired with browsers such as Firefox and Chrome.
P
PAC (PDF Accessibility Checker)
A free tool used to validate the accessibility and structure of PDF files. PAC checks for conformance with PDF/UA standards and identifies structural issues that may prevent screen readers from correctly interpreting a document.
PDF/UA (Universal Accessibility)
An international standard (ISO 14289) that defines technical requirements for accessible PDF documents. PDF/UA ensures that PDFs can be read and navigated by users of assistive technologies. PAC is the primary tool used to validate PDF/UA conformance.
Plain Language
Writing that is clear, direct, and easy to understand for the intended audience. Plain language is an accessibility practice that benefits all users, including people with cognitive disabilities, non-native speakers, and those reading under time pressure. Federal plain language standards are available at PlainLanguage.gov.
R
Remediation
The process of correcting accessibility barriers in existing digital content. Remediation may involve retagging a PDF, restructuring a document's headings, adding alternative text to images, or correcting reading order in a slide deck. Remediation is distinct from building accessibly from the start, which is always preferable.
S
Screen Reader
Software that converts digital text and interface elements into synthesized speech or Braille output, enabling users who are blind or have low vision to access digital content. Common screen readers include NVDA, JAWS, and VoiceOver. Screen reader testing is an essential part of any accessibility evaluation.
Section 508
A law requiring federal agencies to ensure that ICT they develop, procure, maintain, or use is accessible to people with disabilities. Section 508 references WCAG 2.0 Level AA as the technical standard for web and electronic content. While Section 508 applies directly to federal agencies, it influences state and local government practice — particularly in procurement.
T
Transcript
A text version of audio or video content. Transcripts provide access for users who cannot hear audio or view video, and also benefit users who prefer to read or search content. Unlike captions, transcripts do not need to be synchronized with the media.
V
VoiceOver (Apple)
A built-in screen reader available on Apple devices, including Mac, iPhone, and iPad. VoiceOver is used for accessibility testing on Apple platforms and is a standard tool for evaluating mobile accessibility.
VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template)
A standardized document template used by supplires to disclose how their product addresses accessibility requirements. A completed VPAT produces an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR). Procurement teams use VPATs/ACRs to evaluate supplier accessibility claims before purchasing a product or service.
W
WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool)
A free browser-based tool developed by WebAIM that identifies accessibility issues on web pages. WAVE provides visual feedback directly on the page being evaluated, making it easy to identify and understand accessibility errors and warnings.
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)
An internationally recognized set of technical guidelines for making digital content accessible. WCAG is developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and is organized around four principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR). WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the technical standard referenced by the DOJ Title II rule and Section 508.
WCAG Levels (A, AA, AAA)
WCAG success criteria are organized into three conformance levels. Level A represents the minimum requirements; Level AA is the standard required by most laws and regulations, including the DOJ Title II rule; Level AAA represents the highest level of accessibility and is not required as a blanket standard.
