Section 508 requires that the federal government procure, create, use and maintain ICT that is accessible to people with disabilities, regardless of whether or not they work for the federal government.
What does it mean to be Section 508 compliant?
508 Compliance is shorthand for a law that requires federal government websites to be safe and accessible for people with disabilities. This law covers a range of issues related to assisting people with different kinds of disabilities.
Who does 508 of the Rehabilitation Act apply to?
Federal agencies
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 The law (29 U.S.C § 794 (d)) applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology.
What does a 508 mean?
Section 508 is an amendment which refers to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It is a federal law requiring that all electronic and information technology developed, maintained or used by federal government be accessible to people with disabilities.
How do you make something 508 compliant?
How to make PDFs 508 Compliant
- Structure the original source code properly. For example, suppose you are using Microsoft Word to create the document.
- Use a PDF writer or PDF converter that supports ISO standards and web accessibility.
- Run an Accessibility Check.
- Document the properties.
- Provide an alternative version.
What is Section 508 and why is it important?
Section 508 is an important amendment to The Rehabilitation Act that protects the right of people with disabilities to have equal access to electronic and information technology.
What is the purpose of 508?
Section 508 was made part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in 1998. Its purpose is to “… require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities.”
Do PDFs need to be 508 compliant?
PDFs do not need to be 508 compliant as long as they are accompanied by compliant, text-based versions of the document. The best text-based alternative is a regular (HTML) web page. Some Word and Excel documents can be used as text-based alternatives, provided they are accessible.
What is the difference between 504 and 508 compliance?
Responsibilities under Section 504 and Section 508 can overlap. Section 508 requires Federal agencies to ensure that persons with disabilities (both employees and members of the public) have comparable access to and use of electronic information technology. …
How do I know if my document is 508 compliant?
Select a page range if you prefer to do a full check on individual sections of a document. Select an accessibility standard (Adobe PDF, Section 508 (U.S.), or W3C ) from the Name menu, and then select the accessibility options to check for. Click Start Checking.
What do you need to know about Section 508?
Any and all digital communications that a company under Section 508 jurisdiction creates must be 508 compliant. This includes website content, emails, computer software, gaming systems, apps, and PDF versions of traditionally printed assets. PDFs require 508 remediation as they are not accessible by screen readers.
What kind of documents need to be 508 compliant?
What documents fall under Section 508? Any and all digital communications that a company under Section 508 jurisdiction creates must be 508 compliant. This includes website content, emails, computer software, gaming systems, apps, and PDF versions of traditionally printed assets.
What can I do with 508 test automation?
Integration of 508 test tools, reporting, and monitoring capabilities into test automation environments. Online self-paced training for web content managers, developers, programmers, quality assurance testers, project and program managers, and tool administrators.
What are the success factors for 508 conformance?
Key Success Factor: To provide value for the agency and support the highest level of accessibility improvement, the tool or tools you select must foster adoption and buy-in across multiple applicable roles (UX designers, developers, etc.) within the agency. When reviewing automated tools for potential purchase, consider their ability to:
