Section 508 Compliance

Section 508 is part of the United States Rehabilitation Act of 1973, dealing specifically with accessibility. Congress amended the law in 1998 to require that all federal agencies ensure their electronic and information technology (EIT) — also referred to as information and communication technology (ICT) — is accessible to all people with disabilities, including both disabled employees and members of the public.

Section 508 specifies technical accessibility standards based on WCAG 2.0, Level AA. While Section 508 was created for government departments, its regulations also apply to any organization that uses federal funding.

What happens if your website isn’t Section 508 compliant?

Section 508 was updated in 2017 to include the concept of Functional Performance Criteria (FPC) — a broader approach to achieving accessibility. Rather than specifying individual technical requirements, FPC focuses on the desired functional outcome of an ICT, making it easier to achieve compliance as technology evolves.

Non-compliance with Section 508 is a legal violation. US federal agencies and associated organizations that fail to comply are subject to penalties, fines, and lawsuits.

The difference between ADA compliance and Section 508 compliance

Two laws cover accessibility in the United States. While there is overlap, the key difference is who they apply to:

• ADA — Covers private businesses and certain government entities. Web accessibility lawsuits are frequently filed under the ADA.
• Section 508 — Applies to all federal government departments and organizations funded by federal agencies.

Together, the two laws cover nearly every US public-use website. Understanding which applies to your organization is the first step toward compliance.

How QualiBooth helps

Continuous scanning against WCAG 2.0 AA criteria keeps your site aligned with Section 508 requirements, and detailed reports give you the documentation to demonstrate compliance to auditors and legal teams.