Section 508 compliance, explained
A plain-language guide to Section 508 requirements for US federal information and communication technology and how automated checks support a broader review.
What is Section 508?
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires US federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities.
Section 508 and WCAG
In 2017, the US Access Board updated Section 508 to directly incorporate the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA by reference.
Who must comply?
Section 508 governs US federal agencies' ICT and relevant federal procurement. A contractor's specific obligations depend on its contract and deliverables; confirm them with the responsible procurement or legal team.
What automation can do
An automated scanner checks for issues like missing alt text and contrast failures across your whole site quickly. It's the first step in catching clear errors before manual testing.
Check one page for automated accessibility findings.
Inspect the pages in your delivery
Use automated findings to prioritize review; they are not an ACR, VPAT, or conformance decision.
