Access for People with Disabilities (Section 508)
Requirement:
All federal public websites* must continue to comply with the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d), designed to make online information and services fully available to individuals with disabilities. Organizations should review Section 508 and accompanying guidance to ensure that their public websites meet the requirements:
- Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act – Read the full text from the Access Board website.
- Guidance for Implementing Section 508 – View the Section508 website for complete information on how to meet accessibility requirements.
Examples
- HHS Accessibility Statement – HHS's Accessibility page explains how they meet accessibility requirements and welcomes feedback from visitors who may need assistance.
- DHS Accessibility Statement – The Department of Homeland Security has an Accessibility statement on their website.
- Social Security Administration – SSA has a comprehensive Website Accessibility Policy.
Resources
- Section 508 Standards Related to the Web and Applications – Specific guidance about how to make your website compliant with Section 508.
- "Guidelines for Accessible and Usable Web Sites: Observing Users Who Work With Screen Readers" – Read this new report co-sponsored by the National Cancer Institute.
- Usability Resources on Accessibility – Usability.gov provides numerous resources on accessibility and usability.
- World Wide Web Consortium (WC3) – W3C provides tips and instructions for making websites accessible for those with disabilities.
- List of Federal Agency Section 508 Coordinators – Find out who coordinates Section 508 and accessibility issues for your agency.
* These requirements apply to executive departments and agencies and their public websites. Check the specific law to see if it also applies to the judicial or legislative agencies or to intranets.
