What is ADA and 508 compliance?
The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act both ensure that all people have equal access to goods, services, and communication. Section 508 is specific to Information Communication Technology for federal government agencies and services.
What does it mean to be 508 compliant?
508 Compliance is shorthand for a law that requires federal government websites to be safe and accessible for people with disabilities. This law covers a range of issues related to assisting people with different kinds of disabilities.
What does 508 compliance apply?
people with disabilities
What is Section 508? Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. § 794d) requires federal agencies to develop, procure, maintain or use Information and Communications Technology (ICT) that is accessible to people with disabilities – regardless of whether or not they work for the federal government.
What makes a document 508 compliant?
The accessibility standards set forth by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act require electronic document accessibility for everyone, including individuals with disabilities. The most commonly used electronic document format is Adobe PDFs but Section 508 Compliance includes Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, too.
What is the difference between ADA and 508?
Ultimately, ADA protects the civil rights of persons with disabilities participating in interstate commerce; whereas Section 508 is a set of regulations related to access to Government ICT. 508 compliance provides accessibility for digitally published material within government agencies and entities.
What is ADA compliance mean?
ADA compliance is short for the Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design. What that means is that all electronic information and technology—i.e, your website—must be accessible to those with disabilities. ADA compliance is often confused with 508 compliance.
How do I prove 508 compliance?
There are several ways to validate conformance to the Revised 508 Standards:
- Automated – High volume 508 conformance testing tools automatically scan and test electronic content;
- Manual – Manual testing uses a documented, consistent, repeatable process;
- Hybrid – A combination of automated and manual testing.
Is Section 508 Part of the ADA?
Section 508 is not part of the ADA. In 1998 the US Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities.
What is Section 508 and why is it important?
What is Section 508? Section 508 is part of a 1998 amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It requires all Federal electronic content to be accessible. The U.S. Access Board is an independent Federal agency which develops and maintains standards that must be met to achieve 508 compliance.
How do I know if my document is 508 compliant?
To run the Adobe Acrobat Pro Accessibility Check on a PDF, select the Accessibility Tool in the Tools panel. Select Accessibility Check in the Accessibility Tool panel on the right. The Accessibility Checker panel on the left lists the 508 compliance issues.
How do I know if my Word document is 508 compliance?
The Accessibility Checker can be accessed at DAU with your Word document open, click File from the ribbon, click Info from the drop down menu on the left. Under Inspect Document click the drop down arrow Check for Issues then choose Check Accessibility.
When did 508 compliance start?
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities.
