Section 508, 1998 Amendment to the Rehabilitation Act (1973)

Section 508 requires Federal departments and agencies that develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology to ensure that Federal employees and members of the public with disabilities have access to and use of information and data. This includes all categories of electronic and information technology, such as hardware, software, Internet applications, and Web design. Accessibility is defined by standards developed and maintained by the Access Board, an independent federal agency.

Basic Requirements

Under Section 508, federal agencies must give employees and members of the public who are disabled access to information that is comparable to that of employees and members of the public without disabilities—unless it is an undue burden to do so. Government Web sites, for example, must conform to the Section 508 standards. Because many organizations, companies, and state agencies maintain federal contracts, Section 508 has wide-ranging implications.  

Section 508 mandates specific conditions for Internet and Web accessibility. Web-based resources can be independently tested for 508-compliance based on verifiable features and technology uses. An organization's policies and procedures for 508-compliance are important to ensuring full accessibility of its electronic resources. For example:

1. It may provide guidance in addressing requests for accommodation.
2. It may be independently applied as a model for assessing whether Web sites and resources are accessible.
   

The How-To section of this Web site describes how to address many of the basic Section 508 accessibility requirements.

Visit these Web sites to learn more about Section 508: Access Board Section 508   §1194.21 relates to the use of scripts, animations, Java, plug-ins, etc   §1194.22 relates to HTML (Web pages) WEBAIM Simplified Checklist of 508 Standards

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