In this section we're going to discuss Section 508 Checkpoint M, which has to do with applets, 
plug-ins and external content. The context of the wording of this particular section is a 
little complex so we're going to try to break it down into 2 sections. To address this 
checkpoint the first thing that you will need to do is to make sure that if your web page 
contains a link to a Word document, PDF file, an Excel spreadsheet, PowerPoint 
presentation, Flash, etcetera, that those documents natively must be made accessible. We're 
not going to discuss in this presentation what it takes to make each of those types of 
documents accessible. In fact, we hope to have subsequent web-based, self-paced workshops that 
discuss each of those activities. Web Services does currently offer regular 
workshops for learning how to make PDF files, Word documents and other Microsoft Office files 
accessible. So if we look at our document in Dreamweaver how do we know if, in fact, we do have 
any Word documents or PDF files that we are linking to from our web page? We can simply put our 
cursor on any item that is underlined, which represents a link, and if a link is present 
in the Properties Inspector you will see the file that it is linking to listed in the Link 
box. Notice that the name of the file extension for each of these files is .htm, which suggests 
that these documents are all HTML pages, regular web pages that can be viewed within a 
browser without any external software requirements. This link further down the page which 
reads Click Here notice that this link is pointing to a PDF file, and I know that by the  
.pdf file extension. So I would need to make sure that schedule.pdf is an accessible 
PDF file and that that PDF file itself meets all of the CSU accessibility requirements. In 
addition, any time we encounter one of these types of links within our document we need to 
make sure that we are providing a link to the software that is used to view or read that 
document in our web page. So if we are providing a link to a PDF file we also need to include the 
ability to download the viewer for this particular type of document. So to view a PDF file 
you would need to use Adobe Acrobat Reader or another PDF file viewer. So what we're going 
to do is we're going to create, in this case, a link to download Adobe Acrobat. So to create a 
link I first type out the text as I just did. I highlight my text with my mouse. I put my 
cursor in the Link box and here I'm going to type in the address to where I could go to download 
Adobe Acrobat Reader. So I'm going to use this URL http://get.adobe.com/reader and 
type that into my Link box. Press the Enter key to finish. So now I have my link to my PDF 
file here and right next to it I have a link to download Adobe Acrobat so I can get the reader 
to view that particular type of file. Please note that we don't have to purchase software to 
provide to the viewers of the PDF file we just have to direct people to where they can go to 
download the software they need to read that document type. Incidentally we also need to 
correct the text of our link because having links that are named Click Here or Click This 
really is poor design and accessibility practice. All link names should be descriptive as 
to where they're pointing to. So instead of using text that's Click Here I'm going to just 
type in Download the Latest Packrats Schedule. And using my keyboard I'm just going to 
delete the extra text within my link and before my link. So my complete set of links now reads 
Download the Latest Packrat Schedule and you may even want to add in PDF Format to your 
link. So we're providing a link to the PDF file and also a link to Adobe Acrobat. So this is how 
we address the requirements for Section 508 Checkpoint M. We have provided here a list of 
links to common readers for Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office files and QuickTime video. Web 
Services at CSUCI would be happy to provide you with information on links to other readers as 
necessary. Please contact the IT Help Desk and a Web Services representative would be happy to 
provide that information for you. So to recap, if you have a link to a PDF file in your web 
page you also need to provide a link to Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you have a link to a Word 
document, Excel spreadsheet or PowerPoint presentation in your web page you'll need to provide 
a link to either Microsoft Office, Open Office or a free Microsoft reader. If you have 
links to other kinds of documents you will need to provide a link to the software 
that's used to view that type of document.