Section 508 Compliance Requirements Guide

If your digital product touches the U.S. federal government then Section 508 compliance becomes essential for you as it is required by law.

A SaaS vendor, design agency, or document publisher must take 508 compliance testing seriously to ensure their technology is usable by people with disabilities.

According to the GAO's December 2023 Federal Accessibility assessment, about 53% of federal agencies report they do not consistently verify whether their procured technology meets Section 508 accessibility requirements.

Non-compliant websites, software or digital documents risk more than just usability concerns.

You could be disqualified from RFPs.
You could face legal action for discrimination.
You could damage your brand’s reputation among government buyers.

508 compliance is now a contract-winning necessity. So you must know everything about the 508 compliance requirements?

TL;DR: Section 508 compliant digital content must adhere to four key accessibility principles. Based on WCAG 2.1 guidelines it must be perceivable, operable, understandable and robust.

Websites, PDFs, apps, and media must have proper structure, appropriate labelling and keyboard compatibility. Assistive tech support also makes your digital products 508 compliant. All of this requires thorough testing, proper documentation such as a VPAT or ACR and ongoing updates when content changes.

Failing 508 compliance could cost you the deal to U.S. federal agencies or partners.

What is Section 508 Compliance?

Section 508 is a part of the US Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This law mandates use of accessible digital content and technology by federal agencies.

This digital accessibility law applies to the following products:

Websites
Mobile apps
Documents
Software
Hardware

People who are blind, have low vision, limited mobility or cognitive issues must be able to use digital tools without barriers.

Section 508 was originally passed to prevent discrimination in federal programs. Later, it was updated in 2017 to line up with WCAG 2.0 AA guidelines. These are the global gold standards for web accessibility developed by W3C.

Section 508 compliance applies to both creators and vendors of technology. If your product is used by or sold to the federal government then 508 compliance becomes mandatory.

It is legally required and yes it is auditable. Agencies often review VPATs (Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates) and request Accessibility Conformance Reports ACRs before approving any purchase or contract.

Who Must Be Section 508 Compliant?

U.S. Federal Agencies
Vendors and tech partners bidding on government contracts
SaaS companies serving public sector clients
Educational institutions receiving federal funding
Contractors providing websites, software, PDFs, or digital systems to the government

What Are the 508 Compliance Requirements? A Must-Have Checklist

Essentially, the core accessibility principles outlined in the WCAG are 508 compliance standards. These cover everything from how users perceive content to how they interact with your interface.

Below is a clear checklist of the key 508 compliance requirements every organization must follow:

1. Make your content perceivable

Present the content in a way that users with disabilities can understand and access.

Use alternative text for all images and icons
Provide captions and transcripts for videos
Ensure proper contrast between text and background
Allow content to be resized without breaking the layout

508 compliance standards require all non-text content to have a text-based alternative.

2. User interface should be operable

Users should be able to navigate your website or app using different input methods.

Enable full keyboard navigation without a mouse
Ensure focus indicators are visible for all elements
Avoid time limits or provide ways to extend them
Avoid flashing content that may trigger seizures

3. Information should be understandable

Ensure your content and interface are easy to read and predict. For easily understood digital experiences, you should use plain, consistent language.

The menus and layouts should be intuitive and overly technical instructions should be limited. There should be input hints, labels, and error suggestions for users with cognitive challenges.

4. Code and screen reader compatibility

Your code must work well with assistive technologies. There should be proper semantic HTML and heading structures so that screen readers can present the content in the way you want it.

Add ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles when needed
Forms and controls should be properly labelled
Avoid relying on JavaScript alone for crucial actions

5. 508-Compliant Documents (PDFs, Word, Excel)

Make the downloadable files accessible through:

Proper tag structure
Logical reading order
Alt text for images and charts in documents
Accessible templates for Word and Excel

Did you know? Document accessibility is a commonly overlooked 508 compliance requirement, but it is mandatory in audits. Learn more about 508 compliance testing by getting in touch with audit specialists at ADACP.

6. Accessible Video and Audio

Multimedia content must include alternative formats for people with hearing or vision impairments.

Add closed captions to all videos
Provide audio descriptions where necessary
Offer text transcripts for audio-only content

7. Mobile accessibility

Your mobile apps and responsive websites must be accessible on all devices and platforms.

Test apps with screen readers like TalkBack or VoiceOver
Support pinch-zoom and large text
Avoid tiny touch targets or crowded interfaces
Navigation must be consistent across screen sizes

508 compliance testing must include mobile platforms because government users increasingly access content on phones and tablets.

What you must have for 508 compliance

Web and document formats of your ICT products can pass 508 compliance testing if they are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Follow WCAG 2.1 AA standards and include assistive tools, PDFs, videos, and mobile in your audit scope.

Schedule a free consultation to discover the audit scope for 508 compliant software and hardware testing.

How to Get 508 Compliance Certification

There is no formal 508 compliance certificate issued by the U.S. government. Unlike ISO or SOC 2, Section 508 compliance is self-verified.

It is the responsibility of vendors and agencies to ensure that their digital products meet 508 compliance guidelines.

Many companies still refer to themselves as 508 certified but what they usually mean is that they have conducted accessibility testing, documented the results using a VPAT and produced a valid Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR).

What does “508 certified” actually mean?

When a vendor says they are “508 certified,” it usually means they have:

Tested their website, app, document or software against WCAG 2.1
Identified issues and applied accessibility remediations
Created a completed VPAT ACR to document compliance
Worked with an accessibility firm like ADACP

How Do You Get 508 Compliance Certification?

There is no official U.S. 508 certificate, however you can work with a third-party firm to create a valid VPAT ACR.

The most trusted way to prove 508 compliance is to test your product against WCAG 2.1, fix the issues and submit a completed ACR with your proposal. This is the gold standard most government buyers expect today.

How long does accessibility 508 compliance testing take?

508 compliance testing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, following a step-by-step process from audit to final documentation. Here is a simple flowchart to help you understand the 508 compliance testing timeline:

Image1: 508 Compliance Testing Timeline (Week-by-Week Breakdown)

Note: Most projects are completed within 2–4 weeks by ADACP’s accessibility team.

Mastering 508 Compliance Requirements starts with the right steps

Understand the 508 compliance requirements and make your digital content truly accessible to everyone. Your websites, mobile apps, documents or software used for federal purposes must follow the standards outlined in WCAG 2.1.

Details like alt text, semantic HTML, PDFs accessibility and screen reader compatibility matter in passing a 508 audit.

Book a free consultation with ADACP today. Our experts will guide you through 508 testing, remediation and prepare a contract-ready VPAT ACR ensuring your digital product is fully compliant and competitive.