Section 508
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires federal agencies — and the contractors and vendors who serve them — to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. The current standard is harmonized with WCAG 2.0 Level AA, making digital accessibility a procurement requirement, not a preference.
Four facts about Section 508.
What It Is
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act is a federal law requiring all electronic and information technology (EIT) developed, procured, maintained, or used by U.S. federal agencies to be accessible to people with disabilities. The 2018 Refresh aligned Section 508 with WCAG 2.0 Level AA.
Who It Applies To
Federal agencies and departments, contractors and vendors selling digital products or services to the federal government, and state or local governments that receive federal funding. If you sell software, websites, documents, or media to a federal buyer, Section 508 applies to you.
What It Covers
Public-facing and internal websites, web apps, software interfaces, mobile apps, electronic documents (PDF, Word, Excel), video and multimedia, kiosks, telecommunications equipment, and any other electronic content used to conduct agency business.
Section 508 vs. ADA
Section 508 is enforced through federal procurement and agency audits — non-compliance can cost a vendor the contract. ADA Title III applies to private businesses open to the public. Both increasingly reference WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the technical benchmark.
What Section 508 requires.
- Conformance with WCAG 2.0 Level AA (the Section 508 Refresh standard)
- Text alternatives for every non-text element (images, icons, charts)
- Full keyboard operability — no mouse-only functionality
- Sufficient color contrast for text and UI components
- Captions and transcripts for all multimedia content
- Consistent navigation, predictable UI behavior, and clear page structure
- Compatibility with screen readers and other assistive technology
- Accessible electronic documents (tagged PDFs, structured Word/Excel files)
- A current Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) for federal bids
- Ongoing testing — automated scans paired with manual and assistive-tech reviews
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney or accessibility specialist for guidance specific to your contract or agency obligations.
The Voluntary Product Accessibility Template.
A VPAT is the standardized accessibility conformance report federal buyers expect from vendors. It explains — in a consistent format — how your product measures up against Section 508 and WCAG criteria, and it's often a deciding factor in award decisions.
- Standardized vendor document describing how a product meets Section 508
- Required (or expected) during most federal procurement bids
- Aligned with WCAG and the Revised 508 Standards
- Should be reviewed and updated whenever the product materially changes
Win federal contracts with a 508-ready website.
ADA Active Shield audits, remediates, and certifies your digital assets against WCAG 2.1 Level AA — the standard referenced by both Section 508 and ADA Title III — then keeps you compliant year-round.