With frequent changes in regulations, many businesses are asking "what is Section 508?"
Section 508 refers to a part of the Rehabilitation Act. The Rehabilitation Act is a federal law regarding accessibility.
Specifically, Section 508 is an amended part of the law that requires federal agencies to have their information technology (such as their website or app) equally accessible for individuals with disabilities.
Who Must Comply with Section 508 Regulations?
Section 508 regulations also apply to any organization that does business with federal agencies.
For example, medical companies (like medical practices or hospitals) that deal with Medicare or Medicaid payments, federal funding or other federal programs related to medical care need to comply with Section 508 regulations.
Banks, credit unions or similar financial institutions who receive federal funding or deal with federal regulatory agencies must also comply with Section 508 regulations.
Section 508 compliance requirements aren't limited to only medical companies and financial institutions.
Not Sure If Section 508 Website Accessibility Standards Apply to Your Company?
Talk with Our Experts -- Call Us at 315-451-5405
You May Need to Comply With Website Accessibility Requirements Beyond Section 508
While Section 508 website accessibility standards apply to federal agencies and private businesses that do business with federal agencies, you may still need to comply with website accessibility requirements.
In addition to Section 508, the Americans with Disabilities Act has other regulatory requirements for website accessibility. Similar to how the Americans with Disabilities Act requires businesses to have their physical location accessible for individuals with disabilities, such as wheelchair ramps or elevators, the law also requires website accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that a company's website is equally accessible for individuals with disabilities as the website is for those without disabilities. Individuals with disabilities must be able to access information or take actions on a company's website just as easily as someone without a disability can.
For example, burger restaurant Five Guys was sued because an individual with a disability was not able to place an online order due to how the Five Guys website was structured.
How to Comply with Section 508 and/or ADA Website Accessibility Requirements
In order for a website to fulfill Section 508 or ADA website accessibility requirements, the website must be structured in a way that makes information or website features equally accessible for individuals with disabilities. Generally, this means that the website must be made in a way that's compatible with assistive technology, such as screen readers.
There are specific website accessibility features that must be built in to a website to fulfill accessibility regulations. While the ADA compliance checklist or 508 compliance checklist requirements are exhaustive and include technical details that can be difficult to understand for business owners, the professionals at ACS Web Design and SEO have the experience and knowledge to empower companies to satisfy these website accessibility requirements.
Make Your Website Compliant with Accessibility Regulations
ACS Web Design and SEO is experienced in creating custom, professional website design solutions. Our web designers, web developers and usability experts understand Section 508 standards as well as ADA accessibility guidelines. We have created compliant website accessibility solutions for a wide variety of organizations, such as banks and credit unions, medical companies and more.
If your website isn't made to be equally accessible for individuals with disabilities, you're at risk of facing costly non-compliance fees or lawsuits.
Don't risk expensive, lengthy lawsuits or problems with regulatory agencies.