Section 508 Compliance — Complete Free Guide for Federal Websites (2026)
🏛️ What is Section 508?
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires federal agencies and their contractors to make electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities. If you work with the US government, Section 508 applies to you.
✅ Free Section 508 Compliance Checker
Test your website for Section 508 requirements. Based on WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
Check 508 Compliance →What is Section 508?
Section 508 is a federal law that requires all electronic and information technology (EIT) developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government to be accessible to people with disabilities.
Section 508 applies to:
- Federal agencies — All executive branch agencies
- Government contractors — Any company doing business with the federal government
- Recipients of federal funding — Organizations receiving federal grants
Who Needs Section 508 Compliance?
Federal Agencies
All executive branch agencies must comply with Section 508. This includes websites, documents, and software.
Government Contractors
Any company providing goods or services to the federal government must ensure their products are 508 compliant.
Federal Funding Recipients
Organizations receiving federal grants or funding must comply with Section 508 requirements.
Public-Facing Websites
Even if not legally required, following Section 508 standards is considered best practice for all public websites.
Section 508 vs ADA — What's the Difference?
| Feature | Section 508 | ADA Title III |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Federal agencies & contractors | All public-facing businesses |
| Standard | WCAG 2.1 Level AA | WCAG 2.1 Level AA |
| Enforcement | Federal government | Private lawsuits |
| PDF Requirements | PDF/UA compliance required | WCAG standards apply to PDFs |
Section 508 Requirements — What You Need to Know
Section 508 requires compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, which include:
How to Check Section 508 Compliance — Free Tools
- AccessiTool ADA Checker — Free Section 508 compliance scan (WCAG 2.1 AA)
- AccessiTool PDF Checker — Check PDFs for PDF/UA compliance
- Screen Reader Simulator — Test screen reader compatibility
- Keyboard Navigation Checker — Test keyboard accessibility
Section 508 Testing — Step-by-Step Guide
1 Run Automated WCAG Scan
Use AccessiTool's free ADA checker to scan your entire website against WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
2 Test Keyboard Accessibility
Use AccessiTool's keyboard checker to test focus indicators, tab order, and keyboard traps.
3 Test Screen Reader Compatibility
Use AccessiTool's screen reader simulator to check ARIA labels and alt text.
4 Test PDFs
Upload your PDFs to AccessiTool's free PDF checker to ensure PDF/UA compliance.
5 Fix Issues and Document
Fix violations, document your progress, and rescan to confirm compliance.
Common Section 508 Violations
| Violation | WCAG Criterion | How to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Missing alt text | 1.1.1 | Add descriptive alt text to all meaningful images |
| Low color contrast | 1.4.3 | Ensure text has 4.5:1 contrast ratio |
| No keyboard access | 2.1.1 | Ensure all functions work via keyboard |
| Missing form labels | 3.3.2 | Add labels to all form fields |
| Untagged PDFs | PDF/UA | Add tags to all PDF documents |
🔍 Check Your Website for Section 508 Compliance
Free WCAG 2.1 AA scan. No signup required.
Check 508 Compliance →Section 508 Resources
- AccessiTool ADA Checker — Section 508 compliance scan
- AccessiTool PDF Checker — PDF/UA compliance
- Keyboard Navigation Checker — Keyboard accessibility
- Screen Reader Simulator — ARIA and alt text testing
Internal Links — More Section 508 Resources
📚 Section 508 & Accessibility Resources
Frequently Asked Questions — Section 508
Final Thoughts
Section 508 compliance is a legal requirement for federal agencies and contractors. With free tools like AccessiTool, you can check your website's compliance in seconds.
Don't wait for an audit or complaint. Start testing today.
🏛️ Check Your Section 508 Compliance
Free WCAG 2.1 AA scan — the standard required by Section 508.
Check Section 508 Now →📊 No signup • Instant results • WCAG 2.1 Level AA
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