What Is Section 508

Section 508 is a United States federal accessibility law that requires electronic and information technology to be accessible to people with disabilities. It applies to federal agencies and organizations that develop, procure, maintain, or use digital systems on behalf of the US government.

In today’s enforcement environment, Section 508 compliance is not optional. It is a legal requirement with operational, contractual, and reputational consequences.

What Section 508 Means in Practice

Section 508 requires that people with disabilities have equal access to digital information and services provided by federal agencies.

This includes access to:

• Websites
• Web applications
• Software systems
• PDFs and digital documents
• Multimedia and video content
• Internal employee systems

Section 508 compliance overview

Why Section 508 Exists

Section 508 was enacted to eliminate digital barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from accessing government information.

The law ensures:

• Equal participation
• Independent access
• Non-discriminatory digital services

As government services moved online, accessibility became a civil rights issue rather than a technical feature.

Who Must Comply With Section 508

Section 508 directly applies to:

• Federal agencies
• Federal departments and commissions
• Government contractors and vendors
• Organizations receiving federal funding for digital services

Indirectly, it affects private companies that:

• Sell software to government entities
• Build or maintain federal websites
• Provide SaaS platforms used by public agencies

Government compliance details

Section 508 vs ADA: What’s the Difference?

While both laws address accessibility, they apply differently.

Section 508:

• Applies specifically to federal agencies
• Has defined technical standards
• Enforced through procurement and federal oversight

ADA:

• Applies to public accommodations and businesses
• Covers websites through court interpretation
• Enforced through lawsuits and DOJ actions

Many organizations must comply with both.

ADA compliance reference

Section 508 and WCAG Standards

Section 508 technical requirements are closely aligned with WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

WCAG compliance details

This alignment means that accessibility issues such as:

• Missing alt text
• Keyboard navigation failures
• Color contrast issues
• Inaccessible forms

can trigger both 508 violations and ADA exposure.

What Content Must Be Section 508 Compliant

Section 508 applies broadly across digital assets, including:

• Public-facing websites
• Internal employee portals
• PDFs, Word files, and spreadsheets
• Training materials
• Videos and audio recordings

Failure to make documents accessible is one of the most common compliance failures.

Common Section 508 Compliance Failures

Organizations often violate Section 508 due to:

• Scanned PDFs with no text structure
• Forms that screen readers cannot interpret
• Videos without captions or transcripts
• Software interfaces inaccessible by keyboard
• Third-party tools that lack accessibility support

These failures create immediate compliance gaps.

Section 508 and Government Procurement

Section 508 is deeply tied to federal procurement rules.

Agencies are required to:

• Evaluate accessibility before purchasing software
• Request VPAT documentation
• Avoid non-compliant vendors

VPAT compliance overview

Vendors that fail accessibility checks may lose contracts or be disqualified.

Section 508 in Healthcare, Education, and Finance

While Section 508 is federal, its impact extends into regulated industries.

• Healthcare organizations working with federal programs
• Educational institutions receiving federal funding
• Financial institutions serving government-backed programs

In these sectors, accessibility failures can trigger both compliance and funding risks.

Legal and Operational Risks of Non-Compliance

Failing to meet Section 508 requirements can lead to:

• Contract termination
• Federal complaints
• Civil rights investigations
• Public accessibility complaints
• Reputational damage

Unlike ADA lawsuits, Section 508 enforcement often occurs through administrative and procurement channels, making remediation urgent.

Section 508 and Digital Accessibility Lawsuits

While Section 508 itself is enforced administratively, accessibility failures often overlap with ADA claims.

NFB v. Target | Robles v. Domino’s

These cases show how inaccessible digital platforms lead to legal exposure.

How Section 508 Supports Usability and Inclusion

Compliance improves:

• User experience
• Navigation clarity
• Device compatibility
• Assistive technology support

Accessibility benefits not only users with disabilities but also:

• Older users
• Mobile users
• Users with temporary impairments

Section 508 and AI / Search Accessibility

Accessible content is easier for:

• Search engines
• Screen readers
• AI models
• Voice assistants

Section 508 compliance improves machine readability, supporting SEO and AI discovery.

Step-by-Step Section 508 Compliance Approach

A sustainable compliance strategy includes:

• Identifying applicable digital assets
• Aligning content with WCAG requirements
• Ensuring documents and media are accessible
• Managing third-party accessibility risk
• Maintaining compliance as systems evolve

Compliance solutions overview

Frequently Asked Questions About Section 508

What is Section 508 in simple terms?

It is a US law requiring federal digital content to be accessible to people with disabilities.

Does Section 508 apply to private companies?

Yes, if they sell digital products or services to federal agencies.

Is Section 508 the same as WCAG?

No, but Section 508 relies on WCAG as its technical standard.

Does Section 508 apply to PDFs and documents?

Yes. Documents must be fully accessible.

Reviews, Trust, and Compliance Perception

Accessibility compliance increasingly affects:

• Vendor trust
• Government contract eligibility
• Public credibility
• Long-term partnerships

Organizations known for compliance are viewed as lower risk partners.