Section 508 Website

Section 508 also means that a person with a disability applying for a job with the federal government or a person who is using an agency s website to get information about a program or completing an online form has access to the same accessible information and resources available to anyone.

Section 508 website. Information about the section508 gov website gsa s government wide it accessibility team and guidance to federal agencies on accessible information and communication technology ict. 794d requires that when federal agencies develop procure maintain or use information and communication technology ict federal employees with disabilities have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access and use by federal employees who are not individuals with. Section 508 of the rehabilitation act 29 u s c.

In this chapter we ll discuss the origins of section 508 and wcag and how they affect website development specifically. If you re an author or developer of electronic documents software applications web content operating systems accessibility platforms assistive technology mobile environments and modern development frameworks you need to understand how the revised 508 standards 36 c f r. Section 508 is only one segment of the accessibility field.

Section 508 may not apply to your website but other laws likely do so your website should be accessible. Section 508 surveys and reports overview. Most accessibility standards are moving toward wcag 2 0 standards to best meet the needs of people with disabilities.

Section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 as amended 29 u s c. 794d requires that federal agencies electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities including employees and members of the public. Accessibility testing for websites and software web designers developers and content managers play a key role in ensuring websites and digital tools are accessible and conform to the revised 508 standards and the w3c web content accessibility guidelines wcag 2 0 level aa.

Section 508 prohibits barriers in information technology while wcag set web accessibility standards. History of section 508. As use of information technology has greatly increased within the workplace and out in recent years and additional legislation has required ever more access to government information there is a great need for strong effective action to ensure compliance across the department.

Part 1194 apply to your work.