The U.S. Rehabilitation Act, Section 508


Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was amended in 1998 to require all Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities.

This was a leading initiative to eliminate the barriers posed by information technology to people with disabilities. Unlike in Ontario, this law only pertains to how all Federal agencies develop, procure, maintain or use electronic or information technology.

Under the legislation Federal agencies must provide disabled employees and members of the public with the same level of access that is comparable to the access available to others.

Section 508 has been categorized into 6 Standards, each pertaining to a different aspect of information technology:

  • Software Applications and Operating Systems
  • Web-based intranet and internet information and systems
  • Telecommunication products
  • Video and multimedia products
  • Self contained, closed products
  • Desktop and portable computers


So what do these new standards mean?

  1. Software Applications and Operating Systems pertains to the usability for people experiencing vision loss. Specifically , individuals experiencing vision loss cannot use pointing devices such as mice, and therefore require applications to be navigable by keyboard commands.

  2. Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Systems address the removal of barriers in access to information. This can include information being provided in person, through print, a website or other means.

  3. Telecommunication Products are devices that allow people with hearing impairments to access audio based information. These devices can include hearing aids, cochlear implants, assistive listening devices and telephone typewriters (TTYs).

  4. Video and Multimedia Product accessibility can
    include narrated slide productions, closed captioning and large screen formats among others.

  5. Self Contained, Closed Products are identified as devices that cannot be adapted by attaching or installing other devices or software to improve accessibility.
    Examples can include information kiosks, automated teller machines, copiers, and similar types of
    products.

  6. Desktop and Portable Computers focuses on
    keyboards, touch screens and biometric identification.

So how does Acceessibil-IT help your organization comply?