What is Web Site Accessibility?   What is Section 508?   Our Solution   The Method

Section 508 (or just "508") of the amended Rehabilitation Act of 1998 extends to cyberspace the same legal guarantees of access that all physical public amenities must provide. The law requires that new U.S. federal Web sites (and new portions of existing ones) make their content and function available to people with motor, visual, or auditory disabilities.

On December 21, 2000, the Access Board posted its final guidelines for 508 accessibility for people who are physically challenged-they are listed at www.access-board.gov/508.htm. The deadline for mandatory compliance was June 21, 2001. Government agencies and other affected organizations must have implemented any necessary changes by this date.

Much of Section 508 compliance is concerned with making Web sites, intranets, and Web-enabled applications accessible. This affects not only government agencies, but also many private-sector institutions. Government agencies must make their Web sites and intranets accessible according to 508 standards, and they can only create or purchase Web-enabled applications that are compliant with these standards. The law affects corporations doing business with the government as well, because those corporations need to make their Web-enabled applications and any Web sites built for government clients accessible as well.

The Problem

You are proud that your Web site is helping your organization serve the public. But you have known for some time that some of your constituents with disabilities cannot gain access to parts of the site.

• You know you have to make future Web functions compliant with accessibility legislation, but what about your existing site?
• How big a job is it to make the existing site accessible?
• How much should you budget, what should you tackle first, and how long will it take?

Our Solution >