Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

Overview

Section 508 is an amendment to the US Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The current requirements stem from 1998 amendments, with enforceable standards effective in 2001 and a major refresh effective in 2018. Section 508 requires that information and communication technology (ICT) developed, procured, maintained, or used by US federal agencies be accessible to people with disabilities, including federal employees and members of the public.

The 2018 refresh, often called the 508 Refresh, harmonized the standards with WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA, aligning US federal requirements with the international accessibility consensus and with the European EN 301 549 standard.

Who It Applies To

Section 508 binds federal agencies directly. It reaches vendors and contractors indirectly but powerfully: companies selling websites, software, hardware, documents, or other ICT to the federal government must meet the standards, and procurement officers must evaluate accessibility. Many state governments have adopted Section 508 or equivalent requirements, extending its reach.

Key Requirements

Covered ICT must conform to the Revised 508 Standards, which incorporate WCAG 2.0 Level AA success criteria for web content and electronic documents, plus requirements for software, hardware, and support documentation. Agencies must ensure accessibility in development and procurement, and provide accessible alternatives where conformance is not achievable. Vendors commonly document conformance using a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) or Accessibility Conformance Report.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Section 508 does not impose direct fines. Enforcement occurs through the federal procurement process, agency compliance reporting, and administrative complaints. Individuals can file complaints with the relevant agency and may pursue civil action. Non-compliant products can be excluded from federal contracts, which is a strong commercial incentive.

How to Comply

Vendors should design and test products against WCAG 2.0 or later Level AA and the Revised 508 Standards, and prepare accurate VPAT/ACR documentation. Build accessibility testing into development, remediate documents and media, and ensure support content is accessible. Agencies should embed accessibility criteria in procurement, track conformance, and provide accessible alternatives when needed.