HHS Standards, Guidelines & Guidance by Category

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 Accessibility/508 (see also Required Pages and Elements)

• Accessible (508) HTML Forms
• Accessible (508) PDF Forms
• Accessible (508) Excel Presentations
• Acceptable Uses of Flash
• Accessibility (Section 508) and Email
• Accessibility (Section 508) and Video/Multimedia Content
• Designate Visited and Unvisited Links
• Distinguish Required Data Entry Fields
• Font Size and Typeface
• HTML Table Standard (Section 508)
• Present RSS and Podcast Links in a Consistent Format
• Presenting Links to Materials in Multiple Languages
• Provide File Type and Size with Downloadable Files
• Provide Plug-Ins for non-HTML Files
• Skip Navigation (Accessibility/508)

• Use Appropriate List Style
• Use Dark Text on Plain, High-Contrast Backgrounds
• Use Radio Buttons for Exclusive Selections
• Use Text for Links

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 Applications

• 404 Error Pages
• Acceptable Uses of Flash
• Accessibility (Section 508) and Email
• Acknowledge User Submissions

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 Foreign Language Content

• Presenting Links to Materials in Multiple Languages

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 Forms

• Accessible (508) PDF Forms
• 404 Error Pages
• Acknowledge User Submissions
• Designing and Employing Check Boxes
• Distinguish Required Data Entry Fields
• Use Radio Buttons for Exclusive Selections

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 Graphics & Images

• Acceptable Uses of Flash
• Accessibility (Section 508) and Email
• Appropriate Use of Images on Web Pages
• External Link Icon & Disclaimer
• Requiring “New” Icon with Automated Kill Feature
• Standard Icons
• Use of Head Shots & Portraits

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 Links (see also Navigation)

• Designate Visited and Unvisited Links
• Do Not Link to Political Sites
• External Link Icon & Disclaimer
• Home Page Link
• Present RSS and Podcast Links in a Consistent Format
• Presenting Links to Materials in Multiple Languages
• Provide File Type and Size with Downloadable Files
• Provide Plug-Ins for non-HTML Files
• Requiring “New” Icon with Automated Kill Feature
• Use Text for Links

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 Lists

• Lists: Open vs. Drop-Down (Draft)
• Use Appropriate List Style

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 Management

• Applicability to All HHS Web Content
• Archive Outdated Content
• Avoid Empty Pages ("Under Construction")
• Branding Bar
• Develop Sites on Secure Test Servers
• Design for Dominant Screen Resolutions
• External Link Icon & Disclaimer
• Home Page Link
• Keep Content Relevant
• Page Ownership
• Requiring “New” Icon with Automated Kill Feature
• Use of Head Shots & Portraits

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 Multimedia & New Media

• Acceptable Uses of Flash
• Accessibility (Section 508) and Email
• Accessibility (Section 508) and Video/Multimedia Content
• Present RSS and Podcast Links in a Consistent Format
• Provide Plug-Ins for non-HTML Files

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 Navigation (see also Links)

• Breadcrumbs
• Skip Navigation (Accessibility/508)

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 Required Pages & Elements (See also Accessibility/508)

• 404 Error Pages
• Acknowledge User Submissions
• Branding Bar
• External Link Icon & Disclaimer
• Home Page Link
• Page Ownership
• Provide Plug-Ins for non-HTML Files
• Standard Icons

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 Scripts & Codes

• 404 Error Pages
• Acceptable Uses of Flash
• Design for Dominant Screen Resolutions
• Designing and Employing Check Boxes
• Distinguish Required Data Entry Fields
• Requiring “New” Icon with Automated Kill Feature
• Use Appropriate List Style
• Use Radio Buttons for Exclusive Selections

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 Templates

• 404 Error Pages
• Acknowledge User Submissions
• Standard Icons

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 Text & Styles

• Font Size and Typeface
• Signatures on HHS Web Sites
• Use Dark Text on Plain, High-Contrast Backgrounds
• Use Mixed Case with Prose Content
• Web Style Guide

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 Things to Avoid

• 404 Error Pages
• Avoid Empty Pages ("Under Construction") (Draft)
• Do Not Link to Political Sites
• Frames
• Use of Head Shots & Portraits

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