Everything you need to know about Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act — US federal accessibility requirements for federal agencies and contractors. WCAG 2.0 Level AA compliance, VPAT requirements, and free compliance checker included.
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a US federal law that requires federal agencies and their contractors to make their ICT (Information and Communication Technology) accessible to people with disabilities. It was amended in 1998 to include web accessibility requirements.
In 2017, Section 508 was updated to reference WCAG 2.0 Level AA as the technical standard. This means all federal agency websites, mobile apps, software, and digital documents must meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards.
The US Access Board is responsible for developing and maintaining Section 508 standards. The law is enforced through federal procurement requirements and complaints filed with federal agencies.
Section 508 requires all ICT to be accessible to people with disabilities. This includes:
| Entity Type | Applies To | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Agencies | All US federal agencies | Full compliance required |
| Federal Contractors | Organizations selling to federal government | VPAT + compliance required |
| State/Local Governments | If receiving federal funding | VPAT + compliance may be required |
| Organizations with Federal Grants | Grant recipients | Compliance may be required |
VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) is a standardized document that explains how a product meets Section 508 requirements. Federal agencies require VPATs for procurement.
| Feature | Section 508 | ADA Title III |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Federal agencies & contractors | Public accommodations (private businesses) |
| Standard | WCAG 2.0 Level AA | WCAG 2.1 Level AA |
| Enforcement | US Access Board, Federal audits | DOJ + Private lawsuits |
| Procurement | VPAT required | Not applicable |
| Private Lawsuits | Limited (federal complaints) | ✅ Yes (active) |
| Funding Risk | Loss of federal funding | $150,000/violation |
| Feature | Section 508 | ADA Title II |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Federal agencies & contractors | State & local governments |
| Standard | WCAG 2.0 Level AA | WCAG 2.1 Level AA |
| Enforcement | US Access Board | DOJ complaint process |
| Deadline | Active (1998/2017) | April 2026/2027 deadlines |
Use AccessiTool's ADA compliance checker (which tests against WCAG standards) to scan your website against WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards. Get a detailed report of violations and fixes.
Use the VPAT 2.5 template to document your product's accessibility conformance. This is required for federal procurement.
Keep records of scans, fixes, and VPAT documentation. This is your defense against compliance issues.
Run monthly compliance scans to catch new violations from content updates and code changes. Schedule annual accessibility audits.
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires US federal agencies and contractors to make their ICT accessible to people with disabilities. It references WCAG 2.0 Level AA as the technical standard.
Section 508 requires WCAG 2.0 Level AA as the technical standard. VPAT 2.5 references WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
Federal agencies and federal contractors must comply with Section 508. Organizations receiving federal funding may also need to comply.
VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) is a standardized document that explains how a product meets Section 508 requirements. It is required for federal procurement. Full VPAT Guide →
Penalties include loss of federal funding, procurement restrictions, federal audits, and complaints. Federal agencies can face significant enforcement actions from the US Access Board.
Use our free ADA compliance checker (which tests against WCAG standards) to scan your website against WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards. Get a detailed report of violations and fixes in 60 seconds.
This article is for general informational purposes and isn't legal advice. Section 508 compliance obligations and enforcement can vary by agency and contract type, so consult qualified legal counsel for guidance specific to your situation.
Free Section 508 compliance checker — scan your website against WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards.
Free Section 508 Compliance Checker →No signup. Instant results. WCAG 2.0 AA.