Overview of the final rule united states access board. The section 508 standards were developed by the us access board. The section 508 and wcag plays an important role in making technology accessible to people with disabilities like deaf or hearing impaired, vision impaired, etc. As federal government contractors, every website we design, develop, deploy, or manage for the government must meet federal accessibility standards in accordance with section 508. The purpose of this part is to implement section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended 29 u. Embed accessibility best practices into your entire software development. How updated section 508 accessibility standards map to wcag 2. The revised 508 standards, and the accompanying updates to section 255 of the communications act, have transformed turnofthecentury accessibility. Oct 25, 2001 section 508 covers all electronic and information technology used in the creation, conversion, or duplication of data or information. Applies section 508 accessibility standards compliant software development methodologies. Web accessibility evaluation tools are software programs or online services that help you. Section 508 provides accessibility standards for all information technology. In europe the eu, that would be the web content accessibility guidelines, or wcag 2.
Provide technical guidance, tools and resources to assist with section 508 compliance throughout the agency. We are internationallyrecognized experts and provide accessibility services for ada compliance, section 508 compliance with vpat certification, and wcag 2. The dod 508 coordinator represents the department of defense on federalwide boards and committees. It has been conceptualized by w3c world wide web consortium which is an international group supported by its own members and public, in developing and altering web standards. Section 508 requires that when federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology, federal employees with disabilities have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to. Compare criterions premium section 508 compliance solutions to our competitors section 508 manual accessibility testing. Jan 25, 2018 in the united states, the revised section 508 standards went into effect on january 18, 2018, a year after the u. It applies to, but is not solely focused on, federal pages on the internet or the world wide web. Access board published the final rule of the updated information and communication technology ict standards and guidelines. Table that relates these standards to other massachusetts standards, federal section 508 standards, and the world wide web consortium content accessibility guidelines wcag version 1. Section 508 was originally added as an amendment to the rehabilitation act of 1973 in 1986.
The refreshed section 508 standards are effective as of january 18, 2018 for federal agencies and those that do business with them. But 508 covers all information technology and it is the only standard that does so. Tools and resources for developers and content authors to create accessible digital. Web content accessibility guidelines are the guidelines with technical standards, to make web content handy in reaching out to disabled people. Accessibility standards accessible tech for accessible. Accessibility web standards web site information ca. Revised section 508 standards now in effect age and ability. Section 508 compliance approach for webbased applications. This exception exists due to the safe harbor clause in federal section 508, which allows content that was compliant with the older version. Section 508 applies to everything from desktop software being used by a few. The refresh also harmonized these requirements with other guidelines and standards both in the u. In the united states, the revised section 508 standards went into effect on january 18, 2018, a year after the u.
Section 508 speaks to various means for disseminating information, including computers, software, and electronic office equipment. We encourage you to explore the wai website, or look through the wai resources list. Webbased application development methodology for section 508 compliance introduction this is a living document that examines the application of the electronic and information technology eit accessibility standards of section 508 of the rehabilitation act amendments of 1998 as they apply to webbased application development. Developing accessible software tutorial united states access board. The original law was put into effect in 1998 and was refreshed in 2018. These guidelines suggest the ways that can help to improve the accessibility of a website. Section 508 mandates that federal agencies that develop, procure, use and. The purpose of the web accessibility standards is to ensure access to state web pages for everyone. Section 508 amendment to the rehabilitation act of 1973. During the interim period before the updated 508 standards take effect, the original 508 standards continue to serve as the accessibility standard for all 508 covered ict. What you need to know about section 508 and digital accessibility. A federal web page that passes accessibility checks and fails in usability. How can that definition of accessible help a web developer or a hardware. Welcome to the w3cs section 508 and uaag requirements.
Content that was compliant with cdes prior web standards and has not been updated after january 18, 2018. Computer software, hardware, and documentation are all covered by section 508. Interactive accessibility is a consulting firm specializing in digital accessibility for websites, web and mobile applications, and documents. With respect to the updated section 255 guidelines, compliance is not required until the guidelines are adopted by the federal communications commission fcc, which is the. What does section 508 and wcag standards for your elearning. Introduction to web accessibility web accessibility. Revised 508 standards revised january 2017, effective january 2018 revised 508 standards functional performance criteria. The office of the chief information officer ocio is responsible for hhs section 508 compliance. These standards apply to electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by federal agencies. If youre an author or developer of electronic documents, software applications, web content, operating systems, accessibility platforms, assistive technology, mobile environments, and modern development frameworks, you need to understand how the revised 508 standards 36 c. The revised 508 standards, and the accompanying updates to section 255 of the communications act, have transformed turnofthe. The eu standards were developed to avoid any conflicts with section 508 and wcag 2. In addition, this web site strives to comply with the massachusetts web accessibility standards developed by the massachusetts information technology division itd to ensure that all massachusetts agency web pages are accessible for all users.
First, the software must not interfere with the accessibility features of the operating system it runs on, nor may it disable any of the operating systems activated accessibility features developed and documented in compliance with industry standards. Section 508 has relevant upfront requirements for all software applications. Section 508 covers all electronic and information technology used in the creation, conversion, or duplication of data or information. Apr 16, 2020 rehabilitation act, section 504 and section 508. These refreshed section 508 standards have a few notable differences from the old standards. Procurement officersif you purchase software or equipment for your office. Access board published a final rule updating accessibility requirements for information and communication technology ict covered by section 508 of the rehabilitation act and section 255 of the communications act. Accessibility 508 agile web development in washington dc. The section 508 main site has a wealth of information, including courses on it accessibility and section 508 law.
By partnering with our team of experts, we can ensure your business or organization is performing to. Accessibility supports social inclusion for people. Any time you are preparing an electronic document that will be posted online or distributed via email, whether its an internal document or an external document, you need to follow the section 508 guidelines. To cater to the needs of people with disabilities, section 508 and the web content accessibility guidelines wcag will lend a helping hand in accessing the elearning content. Incorporate the web content accessibility guidelines 2. Section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 29 u. To assist agencies in making this determination, esri publishes voluntary product accessibility templates, or vpats, for our various products. Interacts with the business analysis team to understand project estimated. If youre a business owner, know that most web designdevelopment agencies are also just learning about these standards and how to meet them. The below checklists are the official hhs accessibility checklists. The web accessibility initiative guidelines wcag was formed by w3c in order to bring accessibility considerations into the technology development of the web consortium and to determine guidelines for accessible technology including web authoring and user agents browsers. These standards are based primarily on federal section 508 standards with some elements from the.
If youre a digital agency and would like to add digital accessibility to your service offering. State websites must meet both the web accessibility standards in california government code 115, which adopted the section 508 technical standards subpart b issued by the united states access board, and the priority 1 and 2 level checkpoints of the web content accessibility guidelines 1. Section 508 compliance testing 508 compliance website. If youre an author or developer of electronic documents, software applications, web content, operating systems, accessibility platforms, assistive technology, mobile environments, and modern development frameworks, you need to understand how the revised 508 standards 36. Accessibility testing for websites and software section508. Section 508 requires that all website content be accessible to people with disabilities. The doc accessibility and section 508 website focuses on section 508 laws, accessibility standards and guidelines and contains resources for understanding and implementing the requirements of section 508 of the rehabilitation act this site also introduces the new web accessibility content guidelines wcag 2. Accessibility guidelines for application software development. Four wcag testers, including expert endusers with disabilities and senior application developers, manually test all unique web pages not just a small sample and upload their accessibility test results to our customized online portal. Accessibility and section 508 compliance national highway.
Jan 21, 2020 the section 508 main site has a wealth of information, including courses on it accessibility and section 508 law. The it accessibility 508 program office will be most effective as part of the agency chief information officer cio team. It does not apply to web pages of private industry. Wcag standards were developed with the goal of providing equal access to websites and. In the united states, that law is the rehabilitation act, particularly section 508. As technology makes inroads into newer domains and applications, making products accessible for one and all has become the need of the day. The passfail criteria in this document represent an interpretation of section 508 web standards.
For the full text of section 508, please see the official government 508 web site. If appropriate, accessibility can be provided using the wcag 2. The revised section 508 standards and section 255 guidelines have significantly changed the way software is addressed in the existing section 508 standards and section 255 guidelines 19982000. Web designers, developers, and content managers play a key role in. Jan 18, 2018 this section of the california department of education cde web standards provides the accessibility requirements for all web content that is developed, procured, maintained, or used under its responsibility. Epa is committed to the principle that people with disabilities should have comparable access to electronic and information technology. Web accessibility evaluation tools list world wide web consortium. This document provides an overview of the rule and highlights substantive changes to the ict requirements. The rule updated and reorganized the section 508 standards and section 255 guidelines in response to market trends and innovations in technology. These are considered international standards for web accessibility. The w3c web accessibility initiative wai develops technical specifications, guidelines, techniques, and supporting resources that describe accessibility solutions. These standards are from the ada section 508 compliance legislation.
These checklists will help you ensure compliance with the guidelines. Sep 12, 2019 the section 508 and wcag plays an important role in making technology accessible to people with disabilities like deaf or hearing impaired, vision impaired, etc. Accessibility testing for websites and software web designers, developers, and content managers play a key role in ensuring websites and digital tools are accessible, and conform to the revised 508 standards and the w3c web content accessibility guidelines wcag 2. This checklist is not official section 508 documentation. At tobeadacompliant web solutions, we are leaders in web accessibility compliance to provide websites according to section 508 standards and w3c guidelines.
This means that a lot of software and information items that are sold by contractors to federal agencies must also meet the section 508 standards. The refresh of this legislation filled in gaps in the standards and aligned with international standards. Here is the comparison of the web content accessibility guidelines and the section 508 standards. This tutorial illustrates the application of the section 508, 36 cfr 1194. Accessibility is more likely to be achieved when the requirements are the same or at least consistent.
Standards and guidelines used includes section 508, web content. The following standards are excerpted from section 508 of the rehabilitation act, 1194. Revised section 508 chapter 5 software including mobile. Provide training to employees on the section 508 standards, and how to develop and buy accessible technology. All the products dealing with the information and technology will be considered under the section 508 accessibility. Information and communication technology accessibility. Federal agencies, private entities that receive public funding and independent software vendors are required by. Oct 08, 2019 section 508 requires that all website content be accessible to people with disabilities. These tests are for measuring compliance with section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended 29 u. Section 508 standards should be used through the development life cycle rather than applied at the end.
This applies to web applications, web pages and all attached files on the intranet, as well as, the internet. Information and communication technology accessibility standards. Wai provides a wide range of resources on different aspects of web accessibility standards, education, testingevaluation, project management, and policy. Federal laws, including section 508 of the rehabilitation act, mandate that people with disabilities have access to the same information that someone without a disability would have. May 06, 2019 hhs section 508 accessibility checklists the below checklists are the official hhs accessibility checklists. Section 508 compliance is the standard for government agencies, nonprofits, and federal contractors.