Definition
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities, including employees and members of the public. The 2017 Section 508 Refresh aligned federal requirements with WCAG 2.0 Level AA web accessibility guidelines. Section 508 applies to websites, software, hardware, multimedia, and telecommunications products developed, procured, maintained, or used by federal agencies. Contractors selling IT products and services to federal agencies must ensure their products are Section 508 compliant and provide Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs) documenting conformance. Accessibility requirements are incorporated into federal solicitations, and non-compliance can be grounds for contract award challenges.
Also Known As
- 508 Compliance
- Federal Accessibility
- Rehabilitation Act Section 508
Examples
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕Treating accessibility as an afterthought rather than designing for it from the start
- ✕Providing incomplete or inaccurate VPATs
- ✕Assuming compliance with one standard (like ADA) means Section 508 compliance
Who Should Know This Term
IT contractors, web developers, product managers, UX designers selling to federal agencies
Official Source
29 U.S.C. 794d