What is 508 compliance?

Section 508 compliance refers to adherence to the standards set forth in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This U.S. law mandates that federal agencies' electronic and information technology (EIT) be accessible to people with disabilities. It ensures individuals with disabilities, whether they are federal employees or members of the public, have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access and use by individuals who are not disabled. This often involves making websites, software, documents, and other digital content usable by people with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments through techniques like providing alternative text for images, captioning videos, and ensuring keyboard-only navigation.