Section 508 Compliance

What you need to know

Section 508 is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which was amended in 1998 to require federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities.

This law applies to all federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. It also applies to contractors and vendors who sell to or work with federal agencies.

Organizations that receive federal funding, work with federal agencies, or plan to sell products or services to the federal government must ensure Section 508 compliance.

Key Requirements

Section 508 requirements are aligned with WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards since the refresh in 2018. The key areas that must be addressed include:

1. Software applications and operating systems
2. Web-based intranet and internet information and applications
3. Telecommunications products
4. Video and multimedia products
5. Desktop and portable computers
6. Self-contained, closed products

The standards ensure that these technologies are accessible to employees and members of the public with disabilities, providing them comparable access to and use of information and data.

Ensuring compliance

To achieve Section 508 compliance, organizations should focus on:

1. Following WCAG 2.0 Level AA success criteria
2. Providing equivalent alternatives for multimedia content
3. Ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies
4. Making all functionality available via keyboard
5. Providing clear navigation and orientation information
6. Using sufficient color contrast and text alternatives
7. Creating accessible electronic forms and documents

Non-compliance can result in legal consequences, loss of federal contracts, and damage to reputation. More importantly, it can prevent people with disabilities from accessing critical information and services.

Next steps with DevAlly

Meeting Section 508 requirements requires ongoing attention and expertise, especially when managing multiple digital properties and content types.

DevAlly can help you achieve and maintain Section 508 compliance through:

1. Comprehensive accessibility audits against Section 508 standards
2. Detailed remediation plans and technical recommendations
3. Automated monitoring and compliance tracking
4. Support for creating Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs)

Note: The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.