Understanding Section 508 Requirements for Federal Agencies and Contractors
Section 508 compliance directly impacts federal organizations, programs, and contractors. This amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the first federal law to forbid disability discrimination, requires federal agencies to provide Information and Communications Technology (ICT) accessible to people with disabilities. Let's start by learning how Section 508 pertains to ICT.
Section 508 standards specifically address digital accessibility and all electronic communication. The following digital assets must comply with Section 508 requirements:
Public-Facing Website Pages
Website Forms
Internal & External Emails
Software & Mobile Apps
Online Training Materials
Employment Application Pages
All Digital Files (PDFs)
Section 508 is a federal legislation, but it may also impact various organizations beyond federal agencies:
Financially Assisted Entities: U.S. government-funded state, county, and civil authorities
Federally Assisted Organizations: Universities, museums, galleries, medical centers, and other organizations receiving federal assistance
Government Contractors: Contractors spanning all sizes and services that work with the U.S. government
Important Exceptions: Section 508 guidelines do not apply to agency-operated technology concerning national security systems. The law also excludes conformance that causes extreme burdens or requires a foundational change in the nature of ICT. Nonetheless, in these instances, organizations still must provide alternatives for people with disabilities to access information and services.
The U.S. Access Board has accessibility guidelines included in Section 508 requirements. Additionally, the board integrated WCAG 2.0 into Section 508 standards in 2017. The latest updates mandate that agencies comply with Level A and Level AA of WCAG.
Understanding the legal obligations related to accessibility relevant to your business requirements is essential. Additionally, being aware of the potential consequences of not adhering to Section 508 standards is vital. The main Section 508 requirements include:
Federal agencies must ensure that their electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities, including hardware, software, and documentation.
Websites and digital content need to be accessible, often entailing adherence to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Federal agencies must ensure that electronic and information technology is accessible when developing, procuring, maintaining, or utilizing it.
Individuals with disabilities must have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access and use by Federal employees or members of the public.
Federal agencies are required to report on their compliance with Section 508 and the steps taken to ensure accessibility.
If a Federal agency fails to comply with Section 508, there are processes in place for remediation and enforcement, which can include complaints and legal action.
The U.S. Access Board develops and maintains accessibility standards which are used as a framework for Section 508 compliance.
Agencies are required to provide training and raise awareness about accessibility requirements among their staff.
These requirements are particularly important for IT professionals, web developers, and content creators working with or for Federal agencies, as they must ensure their products and services are compliant with these accessibility standards.
Section 508 guidelines concern federally funded agencies and organizations, such as contractors and suppliers.
They mandate that such organizations provide digital communications that conform to 508 compliance requirements and comply with Level AA of WCAG.
The ADA applies to businesses open to the public, nonprofits, and regional and state governments.
Title III of the ADA forbids discrimination against people with disabilities in public places. U.S. courts increasingly rule that the ADA applies to websites and mobile apps.
Creating a 508-compliant document means making a digital document accessible to individuals with disabilities, particularly those using assistive technologies such as screen readers.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the gold standard for crafting accessible content, mainly focusing on content structure and accessibility features. These features include:
Structuring content through headings and lists to establish a coherent hierarchy
Defining reading order meticulously to achieve a seamless reading experience
Providing descriptive alternative text for non-text components like images to provide context for users relying on assistive technologies
Ensuring text labels for links and form fields balance brevity and meaningfulness
One effective way to build accessibility into your digital documents is to use specialized tools like EdgeAble's automated document accessibility solution. This solution streamlines the process and ensures that your files adhere to the required laws and standards, enhancing inclusivity and facilitating ease of access for all users.
A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) shows how ICT products comply with revised Section 508 standards. It conveys that digital information and communications must be accessible to all people. Moreover, federal agencies and organizations must provide ICT that conforms to Section 508 accessibility standards.
A VPAT thoroughly scrutinizes these agencies' services to verify their conformance to Section 508. This assessment helps organizations report their products' compliance, and it's their responsibility to finalize a VPAT to ensure these products comply.
Failure to comply with Section 508 or any other digital accessibility law has considerable legal risks. Related lawsuits are increasing rapidly, and the costs can be severe and even crippling for smaller organizations.
Case in point: More than 3,000 organizations faced accessibility-related lawsuits in 2022 alone. If the legal penalties aren't enough to worry about, these lawsuits can be a PR disaster for any organization. Nonetheless, integrating assistive technology tools and following web best practices for conformance can help you avoid these legal impacts and harmful press exposure.
1. Keyboard Navigation: Provide assistive technology that enables people with fine motor skill impairments to function with just a keyboard.
2. Visual Indicators: Highlight all interactive, on-screen variables.
3. Alt Text: Provide alt text for every non-text variable.
4. Color Contrast: Integrate the recommended color contrast ratios and ensure that color isn't the only variable conveying information's meaning.
5. Document Structure: Organize documents without the need for associated style sheets. No web page should need a cascading style sheet to view or navigate.
6. Testing: Conduct Section 508 testing that checks websites for WCAG compliance and helps improve digital accessibility.
Like all laws that support and enforce digital inclusivity, Section 508 compliance is about creating a barrier-free web for everyone. Unfortunately, people with disabilities have faced exclusion for far too long. Section 508 compliance for websites and digital devices helps organizations reverse this problem. Making a concerted effort to satisfy Section 508 compliance is an excellent way to do your part.
EdgeAble.ai's AI-powered technologies enable you to comply with Section 508 and all other related laws. Our comprehensive accessibility solutions help your organization remain accessible and legally protected while ensuring all your new content conforms with legal regulations.
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