We believe that our software should be accessible to everyone, regardless of disability or impairment. This belief is especially important to Namecoach because the very purpose of our software is to promote inclusion in different respects and contexts. We also believe that accessible applications, and the relevant standards and best practices, are the foundation of amazing software for both customers and users.
We always warmly welcome suggestions for improving the accessibility of Namecoach systems. If any part of the Namecoach platform is found to be inaccessible, we will work diligently to determine the severity of the issue and resolve it within a reasonable period of time.
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 has had accessibility rules in place covering Information and Computer Technology (ICT) since 2000. These rules provides a set of technical and performance-based guidelines that software should meet when serving various institutions, including the federal government and public higher education institutions.
On January 18th, 2017, the U.S. Access Board ‘refreshed’ Section 508 guidelines to conform to the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA. The effective date of the refreshed Section 508 is January 18th, 2018.
Namecoach strives to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 A & AA as a basis for providing rich, accessible applications. WCAG 2.0 guidelines tend to be more specific and well-suited to modern web technology than the original Section 508 guidelines.
If any part of the Namecoach platform is found to not be in conformance with WCAG 2.0 A & AA guidelines, we will work diligently to determine the severity of the issue and resolve it within a reasonable period of time.
Our development team makes testing a priority when it comes to screen-reader compatibility and WCAG 2.0 adherence. Prior to major releases, Namecoach developers and designers use many testing resources and tools to ensure we are doing our best to deploy usable, accessible software. We also conduct regular external audits of our software to ensure these outcomes. Tools used include:
Occasionally an institution will choose to conduct a manual accessibility audit on components of the Namecoach platform. Any findings are documented and concerns are addressed immediately. Namecoach consults with 3rd party accessibility experts and relevant school officials to ensure that best practices are followed and emerging trends are understood.