XL EagleSection 508 (Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act)
Section 508 stands for Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires federal agencies to make sure the information and communication technology (ICT) they develop, buy, or use is accessible to people with disabilities. That includes websites, software, documents, kiosks, and hardware.
The Revised 508 Standards incorporate the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA. In solicitations for ICT, vendors are often asked to provide an Accessibility Conformance Report, usually based on the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT).
Why it matters to a small contractor
If you sell technology, build websites, or deliver training videos or digital reports to the government, Section 508 can apply to your deliverables. Ask your manufacturer for a VPAT, and make sure PDFs you deliver have proper headings, text for images, and readable tables.
Example
A small company delivering a digital maintenance manual to an agency is told the PDF must meet Section 508. They tag the headings, add alternative text to photos, and check it with an accessibility tool before delivery.
Section 508: common questions
What is a VPAT?
A VPAT is a template vendors use to create an Accessibility Conformance Report explaining how their product meets Section 508 standards.
Does Section 508 apply to construction or janitorial contracts?
Usually not to the physical work. It applies to ICT deliverables, so it can apply if you deliver software, websites, or electronic documents.
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