Section 508 Ada Web Accessibility

Here are some broad differences that set them apart.

Section 508 ada web accessibility.

They contain technical criteria specific to various types of technologies and performance based requirements which focus on functional capabilities of covered products. The section 508 standards are part of the federal acquisition regulation far and address access for people with physical sensory or cognitive disabilities. Web accessibility scanning software can only capture 17 20 of wcag failures. It is important to understand section 508 in the context of other laws related to federal disability policy.

Information about the section508 gov website gsa s government wide it accessibility team and guidance to federal agencies on accessible information and communication technology ict. Section 508 of the rehabilitation act 29 u s c. Section 508 also directs the attorney general to submit reports to the president and congress on the. See guidance on the revised section 508 standards for additional help.

Find guidance and training. Real world web accessibility auditing requires input from wcag experts with disabilities because in the world of section 508 and ada web compliance their disability is a skill set people without disabilities can t replicate. Section 508 is only one segment of the accessibility field. Section 508 surveys and reports overview.

Section 508 survey and reports. If you re 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 f r. 794d requires that federal agencies electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities including employees and members of the public. Section 508 may not apply to your website but other laws likely do so your website should be accessible.

In addition to section 508 the rehabilitation act of 1973 has several other sections. The key difference between wcag section 508 and ada lies in how they prioritize different aspects of web operations vis à vis compliance toward a more accessible digital space in some cases the wcag has more stringent standards in some others it could be section 508 or the ada. Section 508 of the rehabilitation act 29 u s c. Most accessibility standards are moving toward wcag 2 0 standards to best meet the needs of people with disabilities.

As use of information technology has greatly increased within the workplace and out in recent years and additional legislation has required ever more access to government information there is a great need for strong effective action to ensure compliance across the department. Section 503 prohibits employment discrimination based on disability by federal. 105 220 requires federal agencies to develop procure maintain and use information and communications technology ict that is accessible to people with disabilities regardless of whether or not they work for the federal government.