accessible for people with disabilities.
508 Compliance is shorthand for a law that requires federal government websites to be safe and accessible for people with disabilities. This law covers a range of issues related to assisting people with different kinds of disabilities.
Contents
What does it mean for a document to be 508 compliant?
accessible
Likewise, Section 508 established the standard that all electronic documents are accessible to everyone no matter how someone reads. In other words, electronic documents are only considered 508 Compliant when assistive technologies can provide users with the same information that’s displayed visually.
Is 508 compliance mandatory?
December 12, 2017 – You may wonder if non-federal websites are required to comply with the Revised 508 Standards. Since Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 only applies to federal agencies, the short answer is no.
Who must be 508 compliant?
Any and all digital communications that a company under Section 508 jurisdiction creates must be 508 compliant. This includes website content, emails, computer software, gaming systems, apps, and PDF versions of traditionally printed assets. PDFs require 508 remediation as they are not accessible by screen readers.
What is Section 508 and why is it important?
Section 508 is an important amendment to The Rehabilitation Act that protects the right of people with disabilities to have equal access to electronic and information technology.
How do I know if my document is 508 compliant?
Select a page range if you prefer to do a full check on individual sections of a document. Select an accessibility standard (Adobe PDF, Section 508 (U.S.), or W3C ) from the Name menu, and then select the accessibility options to check for. Click Start Checking.
How do I make a document 508 compliant?
How to make PDFs 508 Compliant
- Structure the original source code properly. For example, suppose you are using Microsoft Word to create the document.
- Use a PDF writer or PDF converter that supports ISO standards and web accessibility.
- Run an Accessibility Check.
- Document the properties.
- Provide an alternative version.
Does section 508 apply to all websites?
In the U.S., Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act is at the forefront. While it does not apply to privately owned websites, such as individuals’ or private businesses’, it does require accessibility for all federal websites and electronic materials.
Do all websites have to be 508 compliant?
All federal, state and local government websites are required to meet accessibility standards under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which was updated in 2001 to include internet and intranet information and applications.
Does section 508 apply to businesses?
Contrary to widespread misconception, 508 compliance doesn’t apply only to federal agencies. It applies to any entity that does or hopes to do business with any federal agency. This includes all private contractors, companies in the financial industry, legal organizations, and companies in the healthcare industry.
How do I make my website 508 compliant?
6 Tips to Make Your Website ADA Compliant
- Review the Website Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0).
- Conduct an audit of your site using a WAVE Web Accessibility Tool.
- Make sure your images have descriptive alt tags.
- Review your website’s styles and elements, such as headings, buttons and links.
What is a 508 company?
The “508” in “508 compliance” refers to Section 508, an amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 made in 1998. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by federal agencies and the programs they run. However, if you’re a private company, you’re not out of the woods yet.
Does Section 508 apply to local government?
Does Section 508 apply to state and local government websites?But, Section 508 applies to the federal government — not state and local government — and their agencies and contractors working on their behalf.
What is a section 508 review?
Section 508, as amended, specifically requires that, when Federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use ICT, (1) individuals with disabilities who are Federal employees have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access to and use of the information and data by Federal employees who
Which federal electronic content must comply with the updated Section 508 standards?
Section E205 of the Revised 508 Standards specifies which electronic content, including web, software, multimedia and electronic documents, must conform to the technical requirements. Usually, public facing content is published on the web (for example, on an agency website, blog, form, or social media page).
Are Microsoft Word documents 508 compliant?
Microsoft Office includes an easy-to-use Accessibility Checker tool to help ensure documents are Section 508 compliant, i.e., accessible to people with disabilities.
How do I make a PDF 508 compliant in Adobe?
Make PDFs accessible (Acrobat Pro)
- Choose Tools > Action Wizard. The Action Wizard toolset is displayed in the secondary toolbar.
- From the Actions List, click Make Accessible.
- Select the files that you want to apply the Make Accessible action to.
- Click Start.
- Follow the prompts to complete the Make Accessible action.
What is a 508 PDF?
The Portable Document Format (PDF) is the standard format for online “electronic” publication of documents. Proper tagging of the visual and structural components of the document also ensures that the document will be accessible, meaning that assistive technologies (i.e. screen-readers like JAWS, etc.)
Are CSV files 508 compliant?
It is 508-compliant and needs no further assessment before use in VA. For additional information or assistance regarding Section 508, please contact the Section 508 Office at [email protected].
Can you be sued if your website is not ADA compliant?
–meaning ignorance of ADA requirements is not an acceptable excuse in the eyes of the law. You can’t be sued for a noncompliant website, then claim you were unaware of your obligation to provide digital accessibility.
Do private websites need to be ADA compliant?
I know you’re trying to find out whether you’re legally obligated to make your website accessible in the U.S., whether your website falls under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and my general answer is yes, all websites need to be accessible.