Implementing Rule M
§ 1194.22 Web-based intranet and internet information and applications.
(m) When a web page requires that an applet, plug-in or other application be present on the client system to interpret page content, the page must provide a link to a plug-in or applet that complies with §1194.21(a) through (l).
Note that the above text states that a link to the plug-in needs to be on each page that requires the plug-in. To avoid having to put the plug-in link on multiple pages, consolidate the items referencing the plug-in into as few pages as possible. An example would be the consolidation of downloadable PDF files onto one page, with one link to the same shared plug-in on that page.
The above text also requires that the plug-in or applet comply with §1194.21(a) through (l), which are the Section 508 accessibility standards for computer applications. That means, if your file requires a plug-in that outputs unaccessible material, then it cannot be used, and an alternate method of presenting that material needs to be created.
Plug-Ins
Plug-ins are applications that read certain types of files. One example is Adobe Acrobat® Reader, which is a free downloadable plug-in for reading PDF files. Other examples include Apple's QuickTime multimedia player, and Macromedia's Flash Player.
Some plug-ins come standard with new Windows systems, such as those for reading Microsoft Office files. Others, you will have to download on your own.
Rather than go into the different plug-ins here, I'm going to direct you to a good source of further information: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, WGBH National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM). The document Guideline 2, Provide access to multimedia presentations for users with sensory disabilities, provides a fairly comprehensive coverage of the subject of multimedia accessibility. The document Access Issues for Selected Development Environments provides more information on the accessibility of different operating systems and multimedia development tools.
The Accessibility Resources section of this site links to the different software manufacturers for further information on the accessibility of their products.
Applets
Applets are little programs, usually written in Java, that run on your desktop when referenced.
Instructions for Executing Plug-ins or Applets
The guideline does not require that the page provide instructions on how to download, install, and use plug-ins or applets. The guideline merely states the page must provide a link to the plug-in or applet. However, merely including a link such as:
does not help the user understand what happens next. An experienced computer user using a visual browser will usually be able to figure out what to do.
It would be useful to warn the user about what happens next, and what she is expected to do.
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