Government websites are legally required to be accessible under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. This means designing and maintaining digital content that people with disabilities can access and use effectively. In this guide, you'll learn what Section 508 requires, why it matters, how to meet the standards, and what tools (like WebAbility’s accessibility scanner) can help.

Introduction

Government websites are essential services for citizens — offering access to public records, social programs, forms, permits, voting information, and more. If these platforms aren’t designed for accessibility, millions of users, especially those with disabilities, are left behind.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act ensures that all U.S. federal agencies must make their digital content accessible to people with disabilities. Compliance is not optional — it’s a legal requirement and a moral imperative.

What Is Section 508?

Section 508 is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (amended in 1998 and updated in 2018), mandating that federal agencies make their digital services and technology accessible to individuals with disabilities.

This includes:

• Public-facing websites

• Internal government tools and apps

• Electronic documents (PDFs, reports, etc.)

Section 508 requires alignment with WCAG 2.0 Level AA, covering key principles of accessibility: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.

✅ Legal Compliance

Failure to meet Section 508 may result in legal actions, funding restrictions, or official complaints through the Department of Justice.

✅ Digital Inclusion

Roughly 61 million adults in the U.S. live with a disability. Ensuring they can access digital services equally is a basic human right.

✅ Better User Experience

Accessible design improves navigation, readability, and usability for all users — not just those with disabilities.

✅ Boosted Public Trust

An inclusive site shows that your agency is committed to equity and modern digital governance.

How to Meet Section 508 Standards

1. Follow WCAG 2.0 AA Guidelines

Focus on:

• Alt text for images

• Captions for videos

• Keyboard navigation

• Proper use of headings

• Sufficient color contrast

2. Perform Accessibility Audits

Use tools like:

✅ WebAbility Accessibility Scanner Test your entire website for 508 violations and get prioritized fixes.

• WAVE or Axe for quick checks

• Manual screen reader testing for real-world usability

3. Use Semantic HTML & ARIA Labels

This helps assistive technologies like screen readers understand the layout and purpose of content.

4. Train Your Teams

Accessibility is a shared responsibility. Train designers, developers, content editors, and compliance officers in accessibility best practices.

5. Remediate Legacy Content

PDFs, forms, and legacy apps must also be 508-compliant. Use tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro for accessible PDF remediation or WebAbility’s Document Checker.

Common Accessibility Violations

Issue Example Fix Missing alt text Add descriptions to all non-decorative images Improper heading structure Use H1 → H2 → H3 order, no skipped levels Low color contrast Ensure contrast ratio is 4.5:1 or higher No keyboard access Ensure all features work without a mouse No focus indicator Show visible focus on links and form fields

WebAbility’s Top Tools for Section 508 Compliance

✅ Accessibility Widget Let users customize their experience with text resizing, contrast changes, dyslexia-friendly fonts, and more.

✅ Full-Site Scanner Crawl your entire domain for WCAG and Section 508 errors with clear issue grouping and fix instructions.

✅ PDF & Document Checker Automatically detect and fix accessibility barriers in downloadable documents.

✅ Compliance Reports Export 508 compliance reports for audits, grants, or internal documentation.

Visual Best Practices (Image Recommendations)

An elderly user using a screen reader while browsing a government benefits site Alt text: "Senior citizen browsing a government website with a screen reader on a laptop."

Government homepage with clearly marked accessibility features (e.g., high contrast toggle) Alt text: "Accessible government website homepage with contrast and font controls visible."

Conclusion

Government agencies have a responsibility to serve all citizens — and that includes ensuring websites and digital content are accessible to people with disabilities. Section 508 exists to enforce this responsibility.

Meeting 508 standards isn’t just about compliance — it’s about trust, usability, and inclusivity. With the right practices, tools like WebAbility, and a culture of accessibility, agencies can create meaningful digital experiences that leave no one behind.

FAQs

Q1. What is Section 508 in simple terms?

Section 508 requires that federal government digital content be usable by people with disabilities, including websites, apps, PDFs, and intranet systems.

Q2. Is WCAG 2.1 required?

Section 508 officially aligns with WCAG 2.0 AA, but many organizations adopt WCAG 2.1 or WCAG 2.2 for stronger future-proofing.

Q3. How do I know if my site is compliant?

Run a scan using tools like the review the results, and fix flagged issues — especially those marked "critical."

Q4. Do internal tools need to be accessible too?

Yes. Internal systems, dashboards, intranets, and employee-facing applications must also comply with Section 508.

Q5. Where can I get help?

You can contact the WebAbility team directly for audits, compliance reports, and remediation services. Visit:

🔗 Related Reading

⚙️ Powered by

Helping public and private organizations deliver inclusive digital experiences.