What types of technologies are covered under Section 508?

Section 508 applies to electronic and information technology (EIT) used, maintained, developed, or procured by federal agencies. This includes websites, software applications, digital documents (like PDFs), multimedia content, kiosks, intranets, and hardware such as ATMs or public-use terminals. Learn more at <a href="https://www.section508.gov/">Section508.gov</a>

Are PDF files required to meet Section 508 compliance?

Yes. All PDFs and other digital documents that are shared by or with federal agencies must be accessible. This includes proper tagging, reading order, headings, alt text for images, and navigational structure. Accessibility applies whether the document is public-facing or internal. For more information, see <a href="https://www.section508.gov/create/documents/pdf/">PDF Accessibility Guidance</a>

How does VPAT relate to Section 508 compliance?

A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a formal document that outlines how a product or service meets accessibility standards, including Section 508. It’s often required during federal procurement processes and serves as a transparency tool for buyers evaluating digital accessibility. Explore VPAT templates at <a href="https://www.itic.org/policy/accessibility/vpat">ITIC.org</a>

Can I use overlays or widgets to meet 508 compliance?

Overlays and accessibility plugins are not considered reliable or sufficient for 508 compliance. Most government agencies and accessibility experts recommend manual audits and remediation instead. Overlays often miss deeper WCAG violations and may introduce usability issues for assistive tech users. Read why overlays fall short at <a href="https://overlayfactsheet.com/">Overlay Factsheet</a>

What happens if my organization fails to meet Section 508 requirements?

Non-compliance can result in loss of federal contracts, procurement disqualification, and even legal action. It may also negatively impact your reputation and credibility with government agencies and accessibility-conscious clients.

Does Section 508 require accessibility statements?

While not strictly required, many organizations provide accessibility statements to demonstrate their commitment to compliance. These statements outline the level of accessibility conformance, ongoing efforts, and contact methods for reporting issues.

Section 508 & Web Accessibility

What is 508 compliance?

Section 508 is a federal mandate that ensures individuals with disabilities have equal access to electronic and information technology (EIT) used by government agencies. As an amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 508 requires that all federal departments and contractors provide accessible digital experiences—ranging from websites and software to internal platforms and digital documents.

This law guarantees that both federal employees and members of the public can access online services, training, and job-related resources, regardless of ability.

Who Is Required to Comply with Section 508?

Compliance with Section 508 is mandatory for a range of organizations that work with or are part of the federal government. These include:

Federal agencies
Private companies that contract with the government
Businesses submitting bids for federal contracts

If your organization builds or maintains digital tools, software, or websites for the government, meeting 508 accessibility standards is a legal obligation.

Defining Section 508 Accessibility Standards

Section 508 outlines a specific set of standards to make digital content and technology accessible to people with a range of disabilities. These standards address the usability of websites, web applications, software, PDFs, and other digital assets by individuals who use assistive technologies like screen readers or alternative input devices.

The core goal is to ensure that digital tools are equally usable, regardless of visual, auditory, cognitive, or motor impairments. Section 508 is aligned with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), specifically WCAG 2.0 AA, which sets a consistent framework for digital accessibility.

How Section 508 Differs from the ADA

While both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 aim to remove accessibility barriers, they differ in scope and enforcement.

The ADA is a broader civil rights law that applies to public accommodations, employment, and services provided by private businesses and public entities. In contrast, Section 508 specifically governs digital content and technology used or developed by federal agencies and contractors.

Section 508 includes defined standards, measurable criteria, and formal testing methods. The ADA, on the other hand, is more open to legal interpretation and does not prescribe exact technical guidelines. However, both laws recognize WCAG as the guiding standard for evaluating web accessibility.

Key Benefits of Section 508 Compliance

Achieving Section 508 compliance provides more than legal protection—it supports inclusive business practices and contributes to a better digital experience for everyone.

Greater Access and Expanded Audience

By ensuring digital platforms are accessible, you make your content usable for millions of individuals who rely on assistive tools. This widens your reach and improves engagement across a more diverse user base.

Commitment to Inclusivity and Ethics

Section 508 compliance demonstrates a company’s commitment to equity, corporate social responsibility, and fair access to information—values that are increasingly important to customers and stakeholders.

Enhanced User Experience

Accessibility improvements often result in better usability for all users. Features like keyboard navigation, high-contrast design, and clear layout structures benefit everyone, not just people with disabilities.

Legal Protection and Risk Management

Complying with Section 508 helps reduce the risk of legal complaints or the loss of federal contracts due to accessibility violations. It positions your organization as a reliable and compliant government partner.

Stronger Brand Perception

Prioritizing accessibility enhances your reputation. Customers and agencies are more likely to work with businesses that are inclusive, ethical, and legally responsible.

Competitive Edge and Market Growth

508 compliance opens the door to federal contracts and projects that are only available to accessibility-compliant vendors. It gives your business an advantage in government procurement and partnership opportunities.

Better SEO Performance

Many accessibility features—such as semantic HTML, alt text, and structured navigation—align with search engine optimization (SEO) best practices. This can help your website rank higher in search engine results.

Long-Term Digital Sustainability

Accessible digital content is more adaptable to future technologies, devices, and regulations. By building accessibility into your workflow now, you prepare your digital assets to scale and evolve more effectively.

The Risks of Ignoring Section 508 Requirements

Failing to meet Section 508 standards can result in more than compliance issues. Non-compliant organizations risk legal action, lost contracts, public criticism, and a diminished online reputation. The cost of remediating these issues after the fact is often much higher than implementing accessibility from the start.

How A11Y Pros Helps You Achieve Section 508 Compliance

Our team at A11Y Pros specializes in helping organizations meet and maintain Section 508 compliance across all digital platforms. Whether you’re a federal agency, contractor, or vendor, we offer end-to-end accessibility services tailored to your goals and responsibilities.

Accessibility Audits: We conduct thorough manual and automated testing across your website, software, mobile apps, and documents to identify accessibility gaps and recommend solutions aligned with WCAG and Section 508 requirements.
Expert Accessibility Consulting: Our certified consultants bring over a decade of hands-on experience helping organizations build accessible technology. We can assist at any stage of your project—from early design reviews to post-launch evaluations.
Remediation Services: Our developers and accessibility specialists work together to fix the issues identified during your audit. We implement sustainable, standards-compliant code and content updates that create lasting accessibility improvements.

Start Your Section 508 Compliance Journey Today

If you’re ready to ensure your website, software, or digital documents meet federal accessibility standards, A11Y Pros is here to guide you through the process. Contact us to learn how we can help you achieve Section 508 compliance and create a more inclusive, compliant digital experience for all users.