Section 508 requirements

[paulk7737514]

I am designing a website that has to take into account Section 508 requirements. They usually concern providing a description for images using the alt element and providing a key-entered alternative to access various form fields. All can be found here:

https://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/making-files-accessible/checklist/html/index.html

Several of the questions deal with CSS disabled. My question is since text should be visible even with CSS disabled, does that mean that I should plan on black text on a white background only? I don't know if white text on a black background will even be visible with CSS disabled.

[Nancy OShea · Accepted solution]

If CSS is disabled, browser defaults are applied.

Browser defaults to black text on a white background.

Nancy

[paulk7737514]

Ah, I might have known. So whichever color background you use is irrelevant.

Thanks a lot!

[Nancy OShea]

It's not irrelevant.  Your CSS must conform to WCAG.  There are 3 levels of conformance -- A, AA and AAA.  

WCAG Overview | Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) | W3C

[paulk7737514]

I meant whether you use a white are black background is irrelevant to being able to read the text with CSS turned off.

[B i r n o u]

depending on what you 're asking for concerning wirting black on white... probably writing yellow on black is often really a better point when general CSS are not activated... you can add a second alternative CSS beeing specific  for visual impair people that could use it.

to add to what already said you Nancy, concerning 508, you have also this guideline

Checklist for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0

and

HTML 508 Checklist | HHS.gov

[paulk7737514]

A complete and total pain in the rear...