Section 508

What is Section 508?

Section 508 is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, amended in 1998, requiring that all federal agencies make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities. This rule also applies to any vendors, contractors, or partners providing digital services to federal agencies.

The goal is simple: ensure equal access to government information and services for all individuals, regardless of disability.

Who Must Comply with Section 508?

• Federal agencies and departments across the U.S. government.
• Private businesses, vendors, and contractors working on federal projects or providing EIT solutions.
• State and local governments receiving federal funds.

If your organization provides websites, software, applications, or digital content for government use, Section 508 compliance is mandatory.

What Are the Requirements?

Section 508 compliance is aligned with WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards and covers:

• Websites and web applications used by federal employees or the public.
• Software applications, including desktop and mobile apps.
• Electronic documents such as PDFs, Word files, and PowerPoint presentations.
• Multimedia content like videos and audio that must include captions and transcripts.

Accessibility features include:

• Keyboard navigability for users who cannot use a mouse.
• Screen reader compatibility for visually impaired users.
• Color contrast for readability.
• Text alternatives for non-text content.

Why Section 508 Compliance Matters

• Equal access: Ensures that individuals with disabilities have the same ability to use government resources.
• Legal obligation: Non-compliance can result in contract termination, lawsuits, and funding loss for agencies.
• Reputation and trust: Accessibility shows commitment to inclusivity and ethical responsibility.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to meet Section 508 standards can lead to:

• Loss of federal contracts or opportunities.
• Legal actions and formal complaints filed under the Rehabilitation Act.
• Significant remediation costs if accessibility issues are discovered late in the process.

How Zapaxc Helps You Achieve Section 508 Compliance

At Zapaxc, we provide comprehensive solutions for government agencies and contractors:

• Accessibility Testing: Identify gaps in compliance for websites, applications, and documents.
• Full Compliance Audits: Detailed reports mapped against Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 Level AA.
• Remediation Assistance: Implement fixes to make your digital content fully accessible.
• Ongoing Monitoring: Maintain compliance as your systems evolve.

Our expert team ensures you meet all federal accessibility requirements—avoiding risk and supporting inclusive access.