Section 508 Explained

Key Points

- Good for people with Vision, Mobility, Hearing & Cognitive disabilities.

- Content must adhere to WCAG 2.0 AA standard.

- Section 508 applies to any digital content that is in any way funded by the US Government.

- Also applies to companies seeking contracts to supply digital services or products to the US Government.

Introduction

Following on from our previous blog article about the American Disability Act (ADA), we explain here about Section 508.

Section 508 is a US federal law that was created to ensure any digital content funded by the US government, must be accessible to everyone to use equally & independently.

In other words, anyone should be able to interact with federal digital content & technology without difficulty, regardless if they have a disability or not.

Examples of digital content are websites, apps, PDF documents & software.

Origin of Section 508

Section 508 was initially part of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act (that was amended in 1986).

It was further updated in 1998 with the aim of mandating federal agencies to make their digital content accessible to people with disabilities.

This update of Section 508 was necessary to reflect the advances in digital technology.

How Section 508 Works?

Section 508 applies to both internal digital content & systems for federal employees, as well as government funded digital content made available to the public.

It requires all federal agencies to ensure equal access to everyone when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic & information technology.

If private companies sign contracts with the US government to provide technology, digital content or services, then those companies also must abide by Section 508 to ensure their products / services are fully accessible.

Put simply, any digital content that receives US federal funding, is required by law (Section 508) to be accessible to & inclusive of all users.

The standards were updated in 2017 to include new technologies and align with global guidelines, like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0

How Section 508 is Making Technology Work for Everyone?

Digital accessibility means making websites, apps, software, and online content usable for everyone, including people with disabilities like visual, hearing, thinking, or movement challenges.

Section 508 focuses on digital accessibility for public organizations and aims to ensure that digital resources work with tools like screen readers, voice commands, special keyboards, and captions.

To illustrate the importance of this, a 2014 case was filed by Michael Leiterman; a blind lawyer working for the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

He sued the agency for breaking Section 508 rules, arguing that the technology DHS provided didn’t work with his assistive technology. This made it difficult for him to do his job with the same ease as other employees.

The lawsuit pointed out problems in Michael Leiterman's case like inaccessible documents, inaccessible intranets, and being unable to fully participate in online training.

The court ruled in Michael Leiterman’s favour, stressing that federal agencies must ensure their technology and digital content should be accessible to employees with disabilities.

Michael’s case shows the legal risks federal agencies face if they don’t follow Section 508 rules, while also highlighting how Section 508 can help promote better inclusion.

What are the Main Accessibility Requirements of Section 508?

1. Websites & Online Content: Federal websites must work with tools like screen readers and be easy to navigate, read, and use for people with disabilities.

2. Software & Operating Systems: Apps and systems must be designed to be accessible from the start, allowing use without a computer mouse (for example).

3. Telecommunications: Phone and video conferencing systems must support users with hearing or speech challenges, while providing live captions if needed.

4. Videos and Multimedia: Videos must have captions, transcripts, or audio descriptions to help those with hearing or visual impairments.

5. Hardware and Devices: Equipment like computers, printers, and kiosks must be usable by people with disabilities.

How to Follow Section 508?

To achieve Section 508 compliance, organisations need a clear and focused plan.

Start by educating employees and technical teams about accessibility standards through regular training. Create a dedicated team of experts to handle compliance, audits, and improvements. Regularly test and review your digital tools to find and fix accessibility issues quickly.

When buying new technology, make sure it meets Section 508 standards from the start.

Always remember, digital accessibility is an ongoing process that requires constant attention and updates to ensure everyone can use your digital resources easily.

Why is Section 508 Needed?

The main goal of Section 508 is digital inclusivity.

Without accessible digital platforms, millions of people could miss out on essential services like healthcare, banking, jobs, education, and government resources.

While achieving digital accessibility can come with challenges like costs, complexity, and time, these can also be seen as opportunities for growth. Investing in accessibility might require resources and expertise, but it helps your organisation reach more people, including those with disabilities, and improves user experience and reputation.

By embracing these challenges, organisations will meet legal requirements and create a more inclusive, fair, and user-friendly digital world, benefiting everyone in the long run.

As digital tools become a bigger part of daily life, organisations should focus on digital accessibility that show they care about fairness, inclusion, and doing what’s best for everyone.

Implement Section 508 with Nexus Inclusion

Applying digital accessibility guidelines like Section 508 can be tough, but Nexus Inclusion is here to make it easier.

We offer expert help by providing detailed accessibility audits to find and fix gaps, guiding you through compliance with expert advice, and training your team on accessibility best practices.

We also help you create a solid plan to meet both short-term and long-term accessibility goals, and we offer ongoing support to keep your digital platforms compliant as standards and technology change.

With Nexus Inclusion, achieving and maintaining digital accessibility becomes simple and stress-free.