: Private companies providing IT products or services to federal agencies.
: Any entity receiving federal grants or loans. Why Compliance Matters
is a critical United States federal law that mandates all electronic and information technology (EIT) developed, procured, maintained, or used by federal agencies be accessible to people with disabilities. Established as an amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 , it ensures that federal employees and members of the public with disabilities have access to information comparable to those without disabilities. Core Requirements and Standards
: Ensuring digital assets work seamlessly with assistive technologies like screen readers and speech recognition software. Who Must Comply? Section 508 applies to a specific range of organizations:
Compliance is primarily measured against the , which is the current federal benchmark for digital accessibility. Key technical requirements include:
Beyond the moral imperative of digital inclusion, non-compliance carries significant risks:
: Failure to comply can lead to civil lawsuits, expensive settlements, and the loss of federal funding.
: Maintaining a minimum color contrast ratio (typically 4.5:1) to assist users with low vision or color blindness.