What is Section 508?

Section 508 is a federal law mandating that all electronic and information technology developed, maintained, procured, or used by U.S. federal agencies must be accessible to people with disabilities. It is part of a broader effort to ensure equal access to government information and services.

Section 508 originated from the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a groundbreaking U.S. law that prohibited discrimination against individuals with disabilities in federally funded programs. In 1998, it was amended to include explicit requirements for electronic and information technology (EIT), compelling federal agencies to make their digital content accessible to people living with disabilities.

Over the years, Section 508 has evolved. A major amendment was finalized in 2017 and became enforceable in January 2018. This update aligned Section 508 standards with the internationally recognized WCAG 2.0 Level AA, helping create a more consistent global benchmark for digital accessibility.

Who Must Comply with Section 508?

Section 508 applies to:

• All federal agencies and departments
• Government contractors and vendors providing digital products or services
• State and local governments receiving federal funding.

Digital Assets Affected By Section 508.

Section 508 impacts a wide range of digital assets. They include:

• Public-facing and internal websites and web applications
• Software interfaces and mobile applications
• Electronic documents (PDFs, Word docs, Excel sheets)
• Multimedia presentations and videos
• Telecommunication systems.

Section 508 Compliance Requirements

To comply with Section 508, organizations must follow the accessibility standards published by the U.S. Access Board. These standards incorporate WCAG 2.0 Level AA and require:

• Text alternatives for all non-text elements
• Keyboard operability for all digital functionality
• Adequate color contrast for text and UI components
• Captions and transcripts for multimedia
• Clear navigation structures and consistent UI behavior
• Compatibility with assistive technologies (like screen readers)

Section 508 vs. ADA

While both Section 508 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) aim to eliminate accessibility barriers, they differ in scope:

Section 508 specifically applies to federal agencies and organizations contracting with the federal government. It is enforceable by law through agency audits and procurement requirements. ADA, on the other hand, applies broadly to public and private entities, including businesses and state/local governments. While the ADA doesn’t prescribe technical standards, courts and settlements often reference WCAG for web-related cases.

What is a VPAT?

A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a standardized document used by vendors to describe how their digital products or services meet Section 508 accessibility requirements. It enables government buyers to assess and compare the accessibility of competing offerings.

VPATs are structured to align with WCAG and Section 508 criteria. Vendors should update VPATs regularly and provide them during contract bids, especially when dealing with federal clients.

Tips for Achieving Section 508 Compliance

• Incorporate accessibility from the design phase rather than treating it as an afterthought.
• Use semantic HTML to build clear, structured content.
• Ensure all interactive components are operable by keyboard.
• Maintain strong color contrast and allow text resizing.
• Caption videos and provide audio descriptions when needed.
• Test regularly using screen readers and other assistive tools.
• Conduct manual audits in addition to automated scans.
• Train teams on accessibility principles and standards.

FAQs

Q1: Is Section 508 the same as WCAG? No. Section 508 is a U.S. legal requirement, while WCAG is a global set of technical guidelines. However, Section 508 incorporates WCAG 2.0 Level AA into its standards.

Q2: Does Section 508 apply to private companies? Only if they are contractors for federal agencies or developing federally procured technology.

Q3: What happens if an agency or vendor fails to comply? Non-compliance can result in lost contracts, reputational damage, and even legal complaints. Federal agencies are required to report on accessibility performance.

Q4: How often should accessibility be tested? Continuously—especially before major updates or launches. Regular testing ensures long-term compliance and usability.

Q5: Where can I find tools to check Section 508 compliance? Tools like Axe, WAVE, ANDI, and Siteimprove help assess compliance. However, they should be used alongside manual checks and user testing.

By understanding both WCAG and Section 508, organizations can meet legal obligations, reduce litigation risk, and—most importantly—create inclusive digital experiences that welcome everyone.