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508 Compliance

508 Compliance: Beyond the Checklist

Today, nearly everyone is aware of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination of Americans with disabilities and requires accessibility to public spaces. Not as many people are aware that government websites, like public buildings, have their own accessibility requirements known as Section 508.

Even those who are aware of Section 508 requirements may not understand their full impact. Section 508 compliance is not just a simple checklist; it’s a commitment to accessibility that has a real impact on the public and all stakeholders. Contractors developing websites for the U.S. government are among those who must demonstrate a thorough understanding of Section 508 requirements.

What Is Section 508?

In 1998, Congress amended the existing Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to require that all federal agencies make their electronic and information technology accessible to both employees and members of the public who have disabilities. This need for accessibility impacts both website design and documents, including PDF and Word. This doesn’t mean separate websites or documents for those with disabilities; instead, the same website or document should be universally accessible.

Why Does Section 508 Matter to Stakeholders?

When thinking about Section 508, it helps to pull back and get the big picture about its true impact. What does compliance mean in human terms? Think about users with vision problems who rely on audio Assistive Technology (AT) to navigate websites and apps, or who might not be able to easily differentiate colors. Consider other users with mobility difficulties, such as veterans with spinal cord injuries who may need to use AT such as adaptive keyboards or head wands; for these users, websites need to be easily accessed through keyboard strokes. Complying with these standards helps government agencies carry out their missions and helps everyday people access the information they need.

Section 508 and Assistive Technology

In practical terms, websites and documents must be readable and easily navigable for those who need to use AT, such as that found in Apple’s iOS, Windows 10, or third-party tools including the popular screen reader JAWS. Making websites and documents accessible to people with disabilities has to do not only with design but also with the entire approach to content. Some examples of 508 standards include:

  • Understandable link text. For example, instead of a link that reads “Click here,” try “Click here for more information about home loans.
  • Smart use of color. Colors used must have a high contrast.

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In addition, information shouldn’t be conveyed by color alone.  For example, in the “Favorite Color Survey” in the graphic below, simply showing the color blue is not enough. The word “blue” must also be used.