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This blog post contains general information only and is not intended as legal advice. It is based on our understanding of the subject matter at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Recently, a client asked us to confirm that “the federal website accessibility is currently WCAG 2.0 Level A & Level AA.”
The answer to this question is "yes." Federal website compliance is driven by the Revised Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Section 508 requires the federal government to provide access to their Information and Communication Technology, ICT, to people with disabilities.
That may not sound too detailed or out of the ordinary, but there are a few moving parts to that requirement. Section 508 is about more than just websites. Let’s break it down.
What’s it all about, Section 508?
Section 508 defines ICT as "Information technology and other equipment, systems, technologies, or processes, for which the principal function is the creation, manipulation, storage, display, receipt, or transmission of electronic data and information, as well as any associated content." Some examples of ICTs include, but are not limited to, websites, electronic documents, office machines, authoring tools, etc. ICTs are categorized into 1) hardware, 2) software, and 3) electronic content.
The third category, electronic content, is where WCAG 2.0 A and AA come into play. WCAG 2.0 is the current compliance standard of the federal government for all electronic content, including websites, associated with all forms of ICT.
Having a WCAG 2.0-compliant website alone does not make you Section 508 compliant. You must also address everything included in the definition of ICT. Don't forget that your ICT support documentation and services must also meet WCAG 2.0 A, AA requirements. For example, any electronic document that outlines using a website authoring tool, such as your organization’s content management system, must be WCAG 2.0 compliant. Any ICT-related services, such as an online help desk, must, too, be WCAG compliant.
Who is Required to Comply with Section 508?
Any federal agency, organization that does business with a federal agency, or organization that receives federal financial assistance must comply with Section 508. For example, institutions of higher education that receive federal funding for research, Pell Grants, COVID, etc., are obligated to comply with Section 508.
The list of resources below can help you learn more about Section 508, ICTs, and how to work toward being Section 508 compliant.
Resources
- 508 and WCAG: What's the Difference?
- Guidance on Web Accessibility and the ADA
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2
- Policy & Management - ICT Accessibility Frequently Asked Questions
- Map of WCAG to Section 508 Functional Performance Criteria, FPC
- ART - Listing of ICT Accessibility Requirements Statements
- Section 508, WCAG 2.0 and Digital Accessibility in the Federal Government (Youtube)
