The Department of Homeland Security Office of Accessible Systems & Technology (OAST) is committed to the development of the common testing approach for accessibility compliance and conformity, named Trusted Tester Version 5 (TTV5). TTV5 provides a code-inspection based test approach for determining web content conformance to the Section 508 standards.
- Promotes a common understanding of the 508 standards.
- Unifies the test process.
- Unifies the set of test tools.
- Unifies test results reporting.
- Test results can be shared for common applications (i.e. Shared Services, COTS, etc.)
- Supports IT governance by integrating Section 508 into the development and acquisition lifecycle.
- Promotes the successful adoption of the changes required to integrate the TTP within an agency.
- Improves ability for developers to reproduce test results which expedites remediation of nonconformance.
This test process incorporates all tests in the ICT Testing Baseline. The baseline tests established the minimum steps required to determine compliance with Revised 508 standards and WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA. Test instructions that are specific to Trusted Tester only are identified with *TT-specific* or "[no baseline]." The outcomes of these tests will be reflected only in Revised 508 test results.
Trusted Tester Conformance Test Process – Version 5 (GitHub)
Trusted Tester Automated Conformance Testing Tools
Accessibility Compliance Reporting Tool (ACRT)
- This tool provides the ability to report test results for web-based electronic content for conformance to the Revised Section 508 Standards and generates an easy to read test report.
The Trusted Tester Training Track provides a path to earn the Trusted Tester certification for web on the windows platform. Students will learn about the Section 508 Standards applicable to the web, how to install and use web accessibility test tools, and how to apply the Trusted Tester process for testing web sites and web applications for conformance to the Revised Section 508 standards, released in January 2017.
Upon completion of Trusted Tester Track, students will be able to identify the Section 508 standards for web, utilize the tools and test process to evaluate websites and web applications for conformance to the Revised Section 508 standards. Students that score a 90 or better on the Trusted Tester - Certification Exam will obtain their Trusted Tester Certification for Web.
To register for trusted tester training, use the new self-enrollment portal. You will need to establish an account to register for training. Training is provided at no cost.
- FACA-ALL-049-B -What Is Section 508 and Why Is It Important
- DHSA-TT-100-A Section 508 Standards for Web
- DHSA-TT-150-A Trusted Tester Tools for Web on Windows
- DHSA-TT-200-A Trusted Tester - Training for Web on Windows
- DHSA-TT-201-A Trusted Tester - Practice Exam for Web on Windows
- DHSA-TT-202-A Trusted Tester - Certification Exam for Web on Windows
FACA-ALL-049-B -What Is Section 508 and Why Is It Important:
Course Purpose: This course is designed to describe what Section 508 is and why it is important to make Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products accessible to people with disabilities. In this course, students learn about the job-related responsibilities, and available resources needed to meet Section 508 requirements. This course serves as a prerequisite to all other Section 508 compliance training courses.
Prerequisite: None
Target Audience: All Section 508 Coordinators, DHS Section 508 Trusted Testers, Trusted Tester candidates, IT Personnel responsible for awareness of Section 508 accessibility, including project managers, programmers, instructional designers, or personnel responsible for procuring, buying, or maintaining electronic information and technology products and services.
Course Duration: 10+ hours
Delivery Method: Web-based
DHSA-TT-100-A Section 508 Standards for Web:
Course Purpose This course is designed for personnel who need a basic understanding of the Section 508 standards for web and web applications. It is also the prerequisite for becoming a Trusted Tester. Students will learn about a subsection of those technical standards; those that deal with the compliance of web sites and web applications. This course is a prerequisite for Trusted Tester Training, for any students who plan to certify as DHS Section 508 Trusted Testers.
Prerequisites: Completion of Section 508: What is it and Why is it Important to You? (FACA-ALL-049-B)
Target Audience: All Section 508 Coordinators, DHS Section 508 Trusted Testers who are recertifying, and new Trusted Tester course participants, IT Personnel responsible for awareness of Section 508 accessibility, including project managers, programmers, instructional designers, or personnel responsible for procuring, buying, or maintaining electronic information and technology Improving Access to Secure Our Homeland products and services.
Course Duration: 20+ hours
Delivery Method: Web-based
DHSA-TT-150-A Trusted Tester Tools for Web on Windows:
Course Purpose: This course is designed to enable students to install or coordinate the installation of the required software used for testing web sites and web applications for Section 508 conformance, and to validate that the newly installed tools are working correctly. As part of this course, students are required to review the downloadable Installation Guide that provides minimum systems requirements as well as recommended workstation configurations for 508 testing.
Prerequisites: DHSA-TT-100-A Section 508 Standards for Web
Target Audience: Those planning to become DHS Section 508 Trusted Testers.
Course Duration: 5+ hours (Note: This course requires the loading of various software tools that may require IT support and/or administrative access which may impact the course completion time. Duration could take several weeks to complete, depending on the IT policies required for Government owned equipment and/or networks.)
Delivery Method: Web-based
DHSA-TT-200-A Trusted Tester - Training for Web on Windows:
Course Purpose: This course teaches the Trusted Tester process for testing websites and web applications for compliance with Section 508 standards. Students learn and apply the processes for testing both web and web applications for Section 508 compliance. They also learn which tools are needed to perform this testing and how to use those tools. Upon completion of this course, they will be able to identify the tools and procedures, for the process for testing web and software applications for Section 508 compliance, and apply test processes to evaluate elements of web site sites and web applications for Section 508 compliance. Following successful completion of this course, students will qualify to proceed to the Section 508 Trusted Tester Certificate Exam.
Prerequisites: DHSA-TT-150-A and Trusted Tester Tools for Web on Windows
Target Audience: Candidate DHS Section 508 Trusted Testers
Course Duration: 20+ hours
Delivery Method: Web-based
DHSA-TT-201-A Trusted Tester - Practice Exam for Web on Windows:
Course Purpose: This practice exam provides hands-on testing of a multi-page application for Section 508 compliance using the DHS Section 508 Compliance Test Process for Applications. Students will perform 508 compliance testing using the test process, determining appropriate methods for web content and entering results of their evaluation for scoring. NOTE! Students must score a 90 or better on the Practice Exam to be eligible to proceed to the Trusted Tester - Certification Exam.
Prerequisites: DHSA-TT-200-A Trusted Tester - Training for Web on Windows
Target Audience: Candidate DHS Section 508 Trusted Testers
Course Duration: 20+ hours
Delivery Method: Web-based
DHSA-TT-202-A Trusted Tester - Certification Exam for Web on Windows:
Purpose: This exam provides hands-on testing of a multi-page application for Section 508 compliance using the DHS Section 508 Compliance Test Process for Applications. Students will perform 508 compliance testing using the test process, determining appropriate methods for web content and entering results of their evaluation for scoring. NOTE!!! Trusted Tester Certification will be based upon an assessment of accurate reporting of 508 compliance issues using the DHS Section 508 Compliance Test Process for web sites and web applications.
Prerequisites: DHSA-TT-201-A Trusted Tester - Practice Exam for Web on Windows
Target Audience: Candidate DHS Section 508 Trusted Testers
Course Duration: 10+ hours
Delivery Method: Web-based