What is Section 508?
Section 508 is an amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It requires federal agencies to make their Information and Communication Technology (ICT) accessible to people with disabilities. This applies to federal employees and members of the public seeking information or services from the government.
Who Needs to Comply?
- Federal Agencies: All federal departments and agencies.
- Federal Contractors: Any company selling ICT products or services to the federal government.
- Organizations receiving federal funding: Section 508 itself doesn't apply to them, but Section 504 of the same Act does, and some states have adopted Section 508 for their own agencies.
The Section 508 Standards
In 2017, the US Access Board refreshed the Section 508 standards, officially adopting the WCAG 2.0 Level AA success criteria for web and non-web electronic content.
Section 508 also covers more than web content. It includes specific requirements for:
- Hardware (e.g., computers, kiosks)
- Software (e.g., operating systems, desktop applications)
- Support documentation and services
Creating a VPAT
If you sell ICT to federal agencies, they will typically ask for an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR), usually created using the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT), so they can check your product against Section 508. A VPAT details exactly how your product meets (or fails to meet) the relevant Section 508 criteria.