If your organization works with the U.S. federal government, and you’re not already prioritizing Section 508 compliance, now is the time to start.
A key piece of U.S. digital accessibility legislation, Section 508 primarily regulates websites and other tech products used or produced by the federal government. However, the influence of Section 508 requirements extends beyond government agencies.
Any business that sells digital products to federal government agencies must ensure these products conform with Section 508 standards, or risk losing business. And to meet the law’s requirements, you first need to understand the Section 508 guidelines.
What is Section 508 compliance?
Section 508 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act mandates that federal agencies ensure their technology products and services, like software, websites, intranet sites, and mobile applications, are accessible to people with disabilities. The law not only covers products and services created by federal agencies, but also those procured from third-party vendors.
Section 508 compliance refers to meeting the accessibility requirements laid out in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. To satisfy Section 508 standards, organizations must bring their digital systems and content into conformance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.0 Level AA. WCAG outlines technical specifications for key aspects of digital accessibility, including screen reader support, color contrast, alt text, and keyboard-only navigation.
Why should Section 508 matter to private businesses?
While the initial intent of Section 508 was to make digital information accessible to individuals participating in federal government programs and services, the law has a sizable impact on the private sector. Here’s why Section 508 should matter to private businesses, especially those that plan to bid for federal contracts:
1. Increase business opportunities
If your organization intends to sell digital products to U.S. federal government organizations, your buyers will require documented proof that these products align with Section 508 guidelines. That’s because federal agencies that purchase inaccessible software jeopardize their own compliance with Section 508. This proof, which comes in the form of a completed Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT®), isn’t just an asset when selling to the government: private-sector organizations are also increasingly requesting VPAT reports in digital product procurement and prioritizing vendors that uphold their own accessibility goals.
2. Improved user experience for all
By following Section 508 requirements, businesses can ultimately improve the usability of their digital products. Accessibility guidelines emphasize intuitive navigation, clear content structure, and consistent design elements—all qualities that benefit every user, regardless of ability. An accessible user experience (UX) can be a key competitive differentiator in today’s market.
3. Legal compliance
While private businesses are not required by law to comply with Section 508, they may be held accountable for digital accessibility issues under other laws, such as Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). And while ADA lawsuits have historically targeted consumer brands, business-to-business (B2B) companies aren’t immune: according to Level Access’s Sixth Annual State of Digital Accessibility Report, 38% of professionals at B2B companies say their organization faced legal action in the past year. Because conforming with WCAG, the standard for Section 508 compliance, is also a best practice for ADA compliance, meeting Section 508 accessibility requirements can help businesses mitigate their risk of legal action under the ADA.
Section 508 compliance checklist: Common violations
Now that we’ve discussed the advantages of Section 508 compliance, you may be wondering how to get started meeting the law’s requirements. While achieving full conformance with WCAG 2.0 Level AA may take time, you can take the first step by understanding and addressing common Section 508 violations. Below is a partial Section 508 checklist highlighting some of the most frequent accessibility issues in digital content, and how to resolve them.
1. Lack of alt text for images
Violation: Images, icons, and graphics are missing alternative (alt) text.
Impact: Screen readers cannot interpret images without alt text, making visual content inaccessible to users of this technology, including many people who are blind or have low vision.
Solution: Add descriptive alt text to non-decorative images. Alt text should convey the image’s essential content or purpose, following WCAG 2.0 Success Criterion 1.1.1 (Text Alternatives).
2. Poor color contrast
Violation: There is insufficient contrast between the color of text and its background.
Impact: Users with low vision or color blindness may struggle to read content when contrast is too low.
Solution: Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors. WCAG 2.0 Success Criterion 1.4.3 recommends a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for larger text. For reference, black text on a white background has a contrast ratio of 21:1.
3. Inaccessible PDFs or documents
Violation: PDFs and documents are not tagged, or poorly tagged, for screen reader users.
Impact: Screen reader users may find it challenging—or impossible—to navigate or understand untagged documents.
Solution: Ensure all PDFs and documents are properly tagged and structured using <h1>, <h2>, and <h3> headers and so forth. If these documents come from scanned copies, ensure that these are scanned as text, not images. Additionally, be sure to add accurate, descriptive alt text to images and follow WCAG 2.0 Success Criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships).
4. Lack of keyboard accessibility
Violation: Digital content can only be navigated and interacted with through the use of a mouse or pointer.
Impact: Many users, including some people with visual and mobility disabilities, interact with digital content using the keyboard only. When content does not support keyboard navigation, these users may be unable to fully engage with it.
Solution: Make sure all interactive elements are keyboard-accessible and test content using only a keyboard. Support for keyboard navigation is necessary to meet WCAG 2.0 Success Criterion 2.1.1 (Keyboard).
5. Videos without captions or audio descriptions
Violation: Video content is missing captions or audio descriptions.
Impact: Users who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may not be able to access auditory information in videos without captions, and blind users may miss visual information without audio descriptions.
Solution: Add captions to all videos and provide audio descriptions when visual content is essential. Follow WCAG 2.0 Success Criteria 1.2.2 (Captions) and 1.2.5 (Audio Descriptions).
6. Non-descriptive link text
Violation: Hyperlinks are accompanied by generic text like “click here” or “read more” instead of descriptive link text.
Impact: Non-descriptive links may create confusion for screen reader users, who need context to understand where a link will lead.
Solution: Use descriptive, specific link text that clearly explains the link’s purpose, as specified in WCAG 2.0 Success Criterion 2.4.4 (Link Purpose). For example, when linking out to a brochure, use the text “Download the brochure here” instead of “click here.”
Steps for achieving Section 508 compliance
While achieving Section 508 compliance can feel like a complicated process, breaking it down into more manageable steps can help you make steady progress. The following action items provide a high-level roadmap to meeting the law’s requirements.
1. Assess your current state of accessibility: Start by evaluating the accessibility of your digital products and content using WCAG as a benchmark. Engaging experts to conduct a manual audit of your product that includes functional testing can help you to identify compliance gaps.
2. Make the necessary adjustments: Based on the findings from your audit, prioritize changes that will bring your content in line with Section 508 guidelines. This may involve updates to your product’s functionality as well as its design.
3. Train your team: Educate your staff about the importance of Section 508 requirements and how to incorporate accessibility into their everyday tasks. This can foster a culture of inclusivity within your organization and equip teams with the skills needed to efficiently remediate issues and prevent future ones from emerging.
4. Regularly monitor and update: Accessibility is an ongoing process. Regularly review and test your product to ensure continued compliance as technology and standards evolve. Consider using automated testing tools to monitor your product’s accessibility as you add new content and capabilities.
The business case for embracing Section 508 compliance
Section 508 compliance is about more than meeting legal obligations. For private businesses, aligning with Section 508 standards builds a more inclusive user experience, broadens market reach, and strengthens customer loyalty. Embracing accessibility now will pave the way for a future-proof digital presence that benefits everyone.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if my business fails to comply with Section 508?
For organizations that sell digital products to U.S. federal government agencies, failure to comply with Section 508 can limit new business opportunities.
Do I need to comply with Section 508 if I’m not a federal contractor?
While Section 508 is a business requirement for federal contractors, prioritizing accessibility benefits all organizations. Ensuring that your digital content is accessible can mitigate legal risk and expand your potential customer base.
How does a VPAT demonstrate Section 508 compliance?
A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT®) is used to evaluate and document how accessible your product is based on established standards, including Section 508. A completed VPAT, or Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR), provides potential buyers, such as federal agencies, with insight into your product’s accessibility.
Are there tools available to help my business achieve Section 508 compliance?
Manual reviews and functional testing by individuals with disabilities are recommended for accurate results. However, several tools can assist with accessibility assessments, such as automated scanning software.
