What does section 508 refer to?
Section 508 refers to a section in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in federal programs or programs receiving federal aid or employment.
What is the main purpose of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act?
Overview. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. § 794d) requires that Federal agencies’ electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities, including employees and members of the public.
Who does section 508 apply to?
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. § 794d) requires federal agencies to develop, procure, maintain or use Information and Communications Technology (ICT) that is accessible to people with disabilities – regardless of whether or not they work for the federal government.
What is the difference between Section 508 and 504?
With the advent of the Internet, an amendment (Section 508) was signed into law in 1998, expanding the Rehabilitation Act to include equal access to electronic and information technology. Section 504 was originally the last line of the Rehabilitation Act, but did not have any implementing rules.
What are 508 compliant documents?
The accessibility standards set forth by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act require electronic document accessibility for everyone, including individuals with disabilities. The most commonly used electronic document format is Adobe PDFs but Section 508 Compliance includes Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, too.
What is the difference between ADA and Section 508?
Ultimately, ADA protects the civil rights of persons with disabilities participating in interstate commerce; whereas Section 508 is a set of regulations related to access to Government ICT. 508 compliance provides accessibility for digitally published material within government agencies and entities.
Does section 508 apply to universities?
As written, 508 does not automatically apply to institutions of higher education, even if they receive federal funding. However, States that receive funds through the Assistive Technology Act are required to comply with 508.
Is 508 compliance required?
508 compliance is required for government contracts (government agency procurement teams specifically look for accessibility) which means your business could be precluded from lucrative opportunities if your website, product, and/or service isn’t WCAG conformant.
What do you need to know about Section 508?
Section 508 Overview. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C.
How does Section 508 affect you?
The number of people affected by Section 508 is significant. As much of the 10 percent of the population may be affected by blindness, low vision, learning disabilities or other difficulties that impair their abilities to access information.
What are the differences between WCAG and Section 508?
1) WCAG: Launched in 2008, WCAG comprises a set of standards curated by the World Wide Web Consortium to give website owners as well as companies actionable guidelines for creating 2) Section 508: Section 508 is a part of the Rehabilitation Act, and hence, a federal law. 3) ADA:
Does Section 508 apply to a state or local government?
While Section 508 is a U.S. federal law, state and local governments also comply with the law. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) also provides protection for people with disabilities. It applies to all levels of government and other organizations that serve the public.