One of the most sought-after questions in the digital landscape today is, ‘What is 508 compliance?’ The answer is that 508 compliance is primarily a legal requirement that mandates all digital government resources be completely safe and accessible for people with disabilities.

The law covers several different issues related to helping people with different kinds of disabilities. As we move ahead, the importance of digital inclusivity has shifted from a “nice-to-have” feature to a fundamental necessity. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 1 billion people worldwide live with some form of disability, highlighting the massive need for readily available digital solutions.

This comprehensive guide covers various aspects of 508 compliance, why it matters, and different ways to make a 508-compliant website. It defines a set of requirements and guidelines to make information conveniently accessible to individuals with disabilities, ensuring your digital presence is inclusive for everyone.

Table of Contents:

Section 508: An Overview

Section 508 is a section within the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a federal law in the USA, which prohibits discrimination based on disability in federal programs, federal employment, and employment by federal contractors.

There are multiple laws related to Section 508. Among these, the most relevant to information and communication are:

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010
  • Section 255 of the Communications Act

Section 508 was added in 1998 to ensure that all forms of communication, from websites to mobile software, must be accessible to people with disabilities. The new Section 508 update (updated in 2017) measures compliance against WCAG 2.0 AA, the same standard used worldwide. Similar to the original Section 508, WCAG 2.0 AA clearly outlines what accessible websites need to do, with a more focused approach to functionality.

The 508 compliance checklist for websites is important for organizations that want to make their content more accessible to people with disabilities and, as a result, gain more traffic and conversions.

How to be 508 compliant? To make your website accessible, there are certain Website Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0). To give you a clear idea, we will explore specific examples and strategies below.

Why Section 508 Matters

In recent years, there has been an important shift from focusing on the limitations of disability to solutions for the lack of accessibility. Accessibility under Section 508 compliance ensures that persons with disabilities have access to various services, including transportation, healthcare, information, and communications.

Section 508 compliance matters for both consumers and businesses. Today, many users have learning, physical, or cognitive disabilities. When websites and products are not Section 508 compliant, users with disabilities lose the opportunity to engage with and benefit from valuable content and services.

Furthermore, Section 508 is necessary to create a more inclusive environment and help businesses reach a wider audience. When businesses fulfill Section 508 requirements, they can drive more traffic and, in turn, conversions for their content.

Legal Implications and Penalties

Failure to comply with Section 508 can result in penalties and legal action. The consequences will depend on the circumstances of the non-compliance and the agency or organization involved.

For federal agencies, non-compliance with Section 508 can result in suspension or termination of funding, legal action, and fines. In addition, the U.S. Access Board, the agency responsible for enforcing Section 508, can take enforcement actions such as issuing formal complaints and seeking injunctive relief.

Noncompliance can result in the loss of funding or contracts and legal action for private organizations and entities that receive federal funding. Organizations can also face a lawsuit from individuals affected by the non-compliance. In addition to these penalties, non-compliance with Section 508 can also result in negative publicity and damage to an organization’s reputation.

The ROI of Implementing 508 Compliance

You might think, “Great, another pile of red tape,” right? We understand the reaction, but trust us, there’s more here than box-checking.

Picture it this way: isn’t it just plain fair that everyone, no matter their ability, gets to use the web? Set ethics aside for a second and consider the real dollars and cents; the return on investment, though tricky to measure, is definitely there.

First, look at your audience. If your site or app isn’t accessible, you are closing the door in the face of a big group. We are talking people with disabilities—folks who rely on screen readers and other tools. The global spending power of people with disabilities is immense, and inaccessible sites are estimated to lose billions each year as these customers simply take their business elsewhere.

However, it is not only sales that have been lost. It is a loss of brand value. Accessible companies are viewed more positively. They are thought to be open, prospective, and socially responsible. Such goodwill indicates brand loyalty and positive recommendations.

Benefits of Adopting Section 508 Compliance:

  • Expand Accessibility: Organizations may broaden their reach to include persons with disabilities by ensuring Section 508 compliance, which may enhance user engagement, customer loyalty, and revenue.
  • Avoids Litigation: Section 508 accessibility compliance testing can help organizations identify and address accessibility issues before they become legal problems.
  • Improves User Experience: Accessibility features, such as text-to-speech and captioning, can improve the user experience for all users, not just those with disabilities.
  • Enhances Reputation: Organizations prioritizing accessibility and Section 508 compliance can strengthen their reputation as inclusive and socially responsible.
  • Promotes Innovation: Accessibility requirements can drive innovation and creativity in technology design and development.

Differences Between WCAG and 508 Compliance

It is important to elaborate on the distinction between WCAG and Section 508. Many people confuse them, but it is important to know where the border between the two lies. Consider it in this way: Section 508 is the law, and WCAG are the technical standards that one needs to adhere to to comply with that law.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 has specified that federal agencies must offer electronic and information technologies (ICTs) that are accessible to individuals with disabilities. See the term ICT; this is an essential detail. Section 508 is not only restricted to websites but encompasses every form of technology, such as software, mobile apps, and electronic documents.

Where then does WCAG come in? The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is an international norm regarding accessibility developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). They are not a law but provide a universal guideline on how to make web content accessible.

Two lines on the digital-accessibility map finally crossed in 2017. Up until that point, the 1970s-era Section 508 rulebook kept its own specs. That changed when the “Section 508 Refresh” rolled out. The U.S. Access Board basically rewrote the rulebook to align with contemporary global standards. It formally referred to WCAG 2.0 as the technical reference. In particular, Section 508 states that a product must comply with WCAG 2.0 Level A and Level AA success criteria.

This brings us to the different levels within WCAG:

  • Level A: This is the minimum level of conformance, ensuring basic levels of inclusivity are met.
  • Level AA: This is the level that Section 508 legally mandates. It covers more significant and common barriers to accessibility and is the accepted standard for many organizations worldwide.
  • Level AAA: This is the highest level of accessibility, often applied to more specialized content.

8 Key Features That Make Your Website Compliant With Section 508

To know more about how to make a website 508 compliant, it should include the following key features:

Users with various motor disabilities or those who use screen readers heavily depend on keyboard-only visual indicators. This makes it essential for websites to enable interactions with assistive technology.

For instance, buttons, links, or input fields should be easily controlled with the arrow, tab, or other keys to increase accessibility rather than needing a mouse click. Users should also be able to use navigation simply by jumping through page sections, headers, paragraphs, and other page elements.

Therefore, websites need to allow users to navigate the platform using a keyboard and make each site element accessible through the keyboard.

2. Alternative Text for Images

Alternative (Alt) text is a crucial part of 508 website compliance that describes what is depicted in the image. Since screen readers can easily read this text, people with visual disabilities know what the picture is about. Alternative image text gives a certain context to the images on the page that users cannot see.

508 compliance requires the Alt description to be accurate, descriptive, and helpful if links are added to the image, such that the user clicks on the image and opens a new webpage. The link destination must also be mentioned in the Alt text.

3. Transcript or Captions for Videos/Audio

Transcripts and captions are primarily used to represent the spoken content from audio and videos in text format. Also known as closed captioning, it is simply the text included for the hearing impaired.

While a transcript is a text version of the content presented in a separate document, captions typically appear simultaneously with the spoken words in the video.

Manually creating captions is generally very time-intensive, and auto-generated captioning is usually error-prone. However, many companies today offer closed captioning transcript services for videos or podcasts.

4. Screen Reader Capability

Ensure that the site is fully accessible with screen readers, the accessibility technology most visually impaired users employ. Screen readers rely heavily on HTML elements and attributes to interpret content and convey information accurately.

  • Logical Structure with HTML: Use HTML headings, lists, and paragraphs to create a logical structure, which is easy to navigate for screen readers.
  • Meaningful Link Text: Use descriptive link text that clearly explains what one can expect to find at that link. Avoid generic phrases such as “click here” or “learn more.”

5. Alternative Text for Videos

Likewise, for Alt text for images, a video embedded in a webpage should include alternative descriptions to allow a screen reader to describe the video to those who are not sighted easily. Alternatives can be in the form of:

  • Captions: Text overlays on the video that contain a transcription of dialogue and sound effects.
  • Audio Descriptions: This involves descriptions, narration, and audio of visual elements that a person sees in the video, including events, expressions, and on-screen text.
  • Transcripts: A written transcript of the video’s audio content, including dialogue, sound effects, and music.

With these formats, your video content can be accessed by larger audiences with visual, hearing, or even cognitive disabilities.

6. No Time Limits

To comply with 508, you must not set time limits on the website. This is simply because some users might require more time to perform a particular action, and completing tasks within a time limit can be challenging for them. This timeout feature is often found in forms where personal information is required.

Either give the user ample time or add a warning to delay a timeout. If a timed response is still necessary, it is important to allow users to return to the action after the session has timed out.

7. Color and Contrast

Color and contrast can present unique challenges for users with visual impairments. Adding color-coded fields, labels, or icons is an easy and convenient way to resolve color-based accessibility issues.

Test Your Website’s Color Contrast Free!

Therefore, websites need to be color-savvy to comply with Section 508 guidelines. For instance, in an online form, use the color green to show that everything was entered correctly and the color red to highlight an error.

8. Avoid Flickering Objects on the Screen

Certain color schemes and screen flickers can cause seizures in some people. For this reason, websites must avoid causing the screen to flicker with a frequency higher than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz.

With a considerable chunk of users with learning or cognitive disabilities, it can be challenging if an organization’s website is not accessible. Whether your organization is legally required to be 508-compliant or not, having a fully accessible and 508-compliant website is certainly a best practice to follow.

Section 508 Compliance Testing: A Vital Step

It is crucial to ensure that technology goods and services are accessible to everyone in the modern digital era. Testing for Section 508 compliance assures that all users can utilize technology employed by the government.

Achieving Section 508 Compliance

The first step in guaranteeing compliance is to understand what Section 508 accessibility standards are. However, businesses might not know what accessible ICT is or how to make it accessible when it comes to assuring compliance.

The tips below will put you in the right direction if you fall into this category:

  1. Consult the WCAG: Following the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines is the best approach to guarantee that your ICT is accessible. Although it isn’t a legal document, WCAG is the industry standard for web accessibility.
  2. Plan an Accessibility Audit: A comprehensive accessibility audit can assist in locating possible problems with your application or website. The audit may consist of testing for device and browser coherence, content testing, user experience testing, keyboard accessibility, color contrast testing, and fundamental code evaluation.
  3. Check for Accessibility Barriers: Automated and manual testing are two accessibility testing tools that organizations can use to evaluate WCAG compliance and find accessibility issues. Even though automated testing can be completed quickly and affordably, many issues that automation is unable to detect can only be discovered through manual testing.
  4. Opt for Remediation: Remediating or fixing the accessibility issues discovered is the next step after assessing the accessibility of your current digital assets. The addition of alt text to vital images, making sure a screen reader is compatible, ensuring there is enough contrast between the text and its background, and enabling keyboard navigation are typical remediation actions.
  5. Put Training Into Action: It’s critical to formalize your accessibility program and procedures and to train staff members in accessibility guidelines to avoid future accessibility obstacles.

Section 508 Compliance Checker Tools

A tool that can assess the accessibility of technological goods or services is a Section 508 compliance checker. The instrument determines if the item or service complies with Section 508’s accessibility requirements.

The Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE), the Section 508 Compliance Checklist, and the Section 508 Compliance Test are just a few online tools available to verify Section 508 compliance.

508 Compliance Checklist: Your Top Questions Answered

Managing a compliance checklist often raises several questions about scope and execution. Here are answers to common queries regarding 508 checklists.

Does the 508 Compliance Checklist Cover Third-Party Vendor Software?

Are you wondering if Section 508 requires you to ensure that even your vendors’ software is accessible? That’s a good question, and the answer is not simple. In most cases, yes—if you purchase or use any third-party software as part of your organization’s technology, you absolutely are responsible for ensuring it meets 508 standards.

Just because you don’t write the software doesn’t mean you can shirk your duty. If your agency or company requires you to operate an inaccessible tool, you may still be accountable under Section 508.

Can a VPAT Alone Guarantee Accessibility Compliance?

Teaming up with outside software often turns into a maze when you start checking for accessibility. You might think, “Hey, the vendor says it’s compliant, so I’m all good?” Well, not quite. This is where the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) comes in.

Can a VPAT alone guarantee compliance? No, it cannot. A VPAT is what the vendor says, and statements have to be checked. Thus, you must incorporate independent accessibility testing into your assessment process.

How Often Should You Update the 508 Compliance Checklist?

Maintaining your 508 compliance checklist is necessary. An ignored checklist can quickly trigger grave compliance problems.

So, how often is the main question? Well, there is no magic number to it. Think of it like this: your website or app is a living thing. It’s constantly evolving. New features, design tweaks, and content updates—they all impact accessibility. A full accessibility sweep once a year gives you solid insurance.

And that is the bare minimum. Mother of all redesigns? Massive editing? New feature released? It is what is called trigger points. Those are the times when you have to recheck your checklist.

Why is 508 Compliance Necessary for EdTech?

Educational Technology (EdTech) has progressed considerably, and accessibility is now mandatory to make education available for everyone. A significant 15% of the world’s population lives with disabilities, and making education readable and perceivable for this demographic is essential.

Did you know that 21 percent of undergraduate students reported having a disability? This large portion of students emphasizes the critical importance for all higher education eLearning platforms to fully comply with WCAG 508.

Top Ways an Accessible 508 Compliant Website Impacts EdTech Content

  1. Media Accessibility: Using visuals is a great way to enhance the learning process because around 65% of the population are visual learners. Use alt texts for every visual, as well as captions and headings, so readers can see them.
  2. Text-to-Speech Assistance: 28% of students have an absolute visual impairment, while 72% are partially sighted. Thus, inclusive EdTech content becomes essential, and text-to-speech assistance is the right solution.
  3. Accessible Web Design: Creating inclusive online EdTech content begins with creating an accessible web design. Consider breaking text into several paragraphs and using headings and bullet points.
  4. Alternative Input Options: Approximately 39 million adults in the U.S. have motor impairments. Make your EdTech content accessible by making it navigable with the help of keyboards and trackpads.

A Final Word

508 compliance requirements are essential for ensuring your inclusivity for all users of your website. By integrating the eight key features essential for 508 compliance into your website design, you not only fulfill legal obligations but also demonstrate a commitment to accessibility and user satisfaction.

Embracing 508 compliance enhances usability, expands audience reach, and reflects a dedication to inclusivity, ultimately fostering a more equitable online environment for everyone.

Hurix Digital can help you ensure that your website’s accessibility allows users worldwide to navigate seamlessly for an enhanced user experience. Whether you need a comprehensive audit, remediation services, or custom training, we support you in creating a digital world that truly welcomes everyone.

Our experts can provide excellent guidance on revamping or modifying your website to maximize readership regardless of disabilities. Schedule a call now!