Section 508 Compliance

What is 508 compliance?

Section 508 is an amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, aimed at ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities to electronic and information technology (ICT). It mandates federal agencies and entities receiving government funding to make ICT accessible. This requirement enables federal employees with disabilities to effectively use accessible technology within their offices and access online resources, including training and internal websites. It also ensures equitable access to information and resources for individuals with disabilities, whether they’re applying for federal jobs or seeking information from agency websites.

Who Must Comply with Section 508?

Entities required to adhere to Section 508 include:

• Government agencies
• Private federal contractors
• Organizations bidding for government contracts

What is 508 compliance standards?

508 compliance standards refer to the set of accessibility requirements outlined in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. These standards ensure that electronic and information technology (ICT) used or developed by federal agencies is accessible to individuals with disabilities. They encompass guidelines that enable equal access to technology, websites, software, and digital content for people with diverse abilities. Adhering to 508 compliance standards facilitates an inclusive environment, ensuring that everyone, regardless of disability, can access and interact with technology effectively and independently.

Section 508 vs ADA

Section 508 is a specific accessibility standard under the Rehabilitation Act, focusing on ensuring accessibility in electronic and information technology (ICT) used or developed by federal agencies. It mandates that federal agencies make their technology and digital content accessible to individuals with disabilities.

The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) is a broader civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in various areas, including employment, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. While ADA Title III covers accessibility for private entities, Section 508 specifically addresses federal agencies’ responsibilities regarding ICT accessibility.

Section 508 has defined standards and testing methods to determine if products and/or services are accessible. ADA on the other hand has not defined specific standards or testing methods.

While Section 508 is meant specifically for EICT where software and web are covered, ADA in its Title 3 covers public accommodations where internet and web are accepted now through various legal ruling.

Section 508 standards provides clear and well-defined pathways to accessibility like scoping, Functional Performance Criteria, Support assistance etc of any given products and services. In ADA, these are open to interpretation and call for clear strategy at the business  and enterprise level.

While both ADA and Section 508 has accepted Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as universal guideline, Section 508 accepts only WCAG 2.0 compliance in its revision in 2018. However, meeting the latest WCAG version like WCAG 2.2 always makes the accessible experience more compelling and encompasses all legal requirements.

Benefits

Making your digital content accessible goes beyond legal compliance; it’s about fostering inclusivity and reaping numerous advantages that resonate across various aspects of your business.

• Enhanced Accessibility, Broader Reach: Ensuring SECTION 508 compliance means opening doors to a more extensive audience. By making your website accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities, you tap into a vast demographic, potentially reaching millions of users who rely on assistive technologies to navigate the web.
• Ethical and Inclusive Practices: Adhering to accessibility guidelines aligns with ethical business practices. It signifies a commitment to providing equal opportunities for all individuals, fostering a sense of inclusivity and demonstrating corporate social responsibility.
• Improved User Experience and Engagement: Remediating a PDF means it is being processed using both automated tools and manual methods to ensure its accessibility and compliance with international accessibility standards. During PDF remediation, a PDF document remediation specialist ensures that the PDF is tagged properly with headings, lists, tables, a table of contents, alternative text for images, etc.
• Legal Protection and Risk Mitigation: SECTION 508 compliance shields your business from legal risks and potential litigation. Non-compliance may result in costly lawsuits and settlements, negatively impacting your finances and reputation. Ensuring accessibility mitigates these risks, safeguarding your brand’s integrity.
• Boosted Reputation and Brand Loyalty: Commitment to accessibility resonates positively with your audience. By prioritizing inclusivity, you foster trust and goodwill among users, leading to enhanced brand loyalty and a positive reputation within your industry.
• Competitive Advantage and Market Expansion: Incorporating accessibility into your digital strategy sets you apart from competitors. It positions your brand as forward-thinking and customer-centric, potentially attracting a broader customer base and creating new business opportunities.
• Enhanced SEO and Improved Search Visibility: Accessible websites often perform better in search engine results. Compliance with accessibility standards typically involves practices that align with SEO best practices, leading to improved search engine rankings and visibility.
• Future-Proofing Your Business: Embracing accessibility is an investment in the future. As digital landscapes evolve and regulations SECTION 508, ensuring your digital content is accessible from the outset sets a strong foundation for SECTION 508pting to future changes seamlessly.

Neglecting SECTION 508 compliance for your digital content can have significant repercussions for your business. Failure to meet accessibility standards may result in various adverse outcomes, ranging from legal challenges to diminished brand reputation and missed opportunities. Prioritizing accessibility not only mitigates these risks but also advances inclusivity, enhances user experience, and fortifies your brand’s integrity.

How we can assist you?

At DigitalA11Y, we specialize in aiding businesses achieve 508 compliance through our extensive range of solutions. From automated website monitoring to conducting manual accessibility audits or reviews of your designs, we offer a comprehensive suite of services tailored to your needs. Our team of IAAP certified accessibility professionals is dedicated to guiding you through each phase of the process, ensuring a seamless journey towards accessibility compliance.

• Website Accessibility Audits: Our dedicated team of accessibility professionals meticulously examines every aspect of your website, web app, mobile app, or any digital asset, rigorously testing against WCAG standards.
• Accessibility Consulting: Our certified accessibility professionals are industry veterans with over a decade of experience consulting and devising accessibility strategies for large organizations. Whether you have simple questions related to WCAG or require assistance with complex development, we have you covered. Our experts possess hands-on experience in addressing all types of accessibility challenges.
• Accessibility Remediation: Following a thorough manual audit, if your team requires additional assistance in addressing accessibility issues or prefers us to handle the resolution of accessibility violations, we’re here to help. We have expert developers who possess a deep understanding of accessibility principles and can tailor customized solutions to meet your needs.

Empower your team with the knowledge and tools necessary to create and maintain SECTION 508-compliant digital content, ensuring an inclusive and accessible online presence.

Ready to Ensure SECTION 508 Compliance for Your Website?

Contact us to discover how our expertise can assist you in achieving SECTION 508 compliance and creating an inclusive digital environment.