508 Compliance: What It Is and Why It Matters for Your Business

In today’s digital-first world, accessibility isn’t just a courtesy—it’s a legal requirement. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act mandates that federal agencies and organizations working with the government ensure their digital content is accessible to people with disabilities.

Whether you’re a government contractor, business, or web developer, understanding 508 compliance is critical. In this blog, we’ll break down what 508 compliance means, why it’s important, and how you can ensure your digital content meets the standard.

What Is 508 Compliance?

Section 508 is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, requiring federal agencies and entities receiving federal funding to make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes:

• Websites

• PDFs and digital documents

• Software and applications

• Multimedia content (videos, audio, presentations)

• Emails and e-learning materials

The goal of 508 compliance is to ensure that individuals who are blind, deaf, hard of hearing, have motor disabilities, or cognitive impairments can use digital content just as effectively as anyone else.

Who Needs to Be 508 Compliant?

If your organization falls into any of the following categories, you must ensure compliance:

• Federal agencies and departments

• Businesses working with the government (contractors, vendors, service providers)

• Educational institutions receiving federal funding

• Organizations receiving federal grants

Even if your company isn’t legally required to follow Section 508, ensuring digital accessibility demonstrates inclusivity, reduces legal risks, and enhances user experience.

508 Compliance vs. WCAG: What’s the Difference?

Many people confuse 508 compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). While they are closely related, there are key differences:

508 compliance is based on WCAG guidelines, so ensuring WCAG compliance often means 508 compliance as well.

How to Ensure 508 Compliance

Make Your Website and Apps Accessible

Ensure all web content, apps, and digital tools:

• Support screen readers

• Offer keyboard navigation (for users who can’t use a mouse)

• Have color contrast for readability

• Provide alt text for images

Ensure PDFs and Documents Are Accessible

Many federal agencies share information in PDFs, Word documents, and Excel files. These must be:

• Searchable (not just scanned images)

• Tagged for screen readers

• Properly structured with headings, lists, and tables

Provide Captions and Transcripts for Multimedia

Videos and audio files must include:

• Closed captions for those who are deaf or hard of hearing

• Transcripts for audio content

• Audio descriptions for video content that relies on visuals

Test for Compliance Regularly

Use 508 compliance testing tools like:

• JAWS Screen Reader

• Adobe Acrobat Accessibility Checker

• CommonLook PDF

You should also conduct manual reviews with accessibility experts to catch issues automated tools miss.

Our Hybrid Approach: Going Beyond Automated Tools

Many organizations rely solely on automated accessibility testing tools, but these tools only catch technical errors—not usability or real-world accessibility barriers. At [Your Company Name], we take a hybrid approach, combining automated scans with expert manual reviews to ensure true accessibility.

Automated Testing for Efficiency

We leverage leading AI-driven accessibility testing tools to quickly:

• Identify structural issues like missing alt text and improper heading usage

• Detect color contrast violations

• Flag keyboard navigation barriers

Manual Audits for Human-Centered Accessibility

Automated tools can’t determine usability—so our accessibility specialists manually review content for:

• Contextually accurate alt text that conveys real meaning

• Logical document structure for PDFs, Word docs, and Excel sheets

• Proper reading order for screen readers

• Keyboard accessibility & navigation ease

Ensuring Multimedia Accessibility

Most accessibility tools can’t assess the full scope of multimedia accessibility. That’s why we go beyond automated testing to manually review and enhance:

• Closed captions – Verifying accuracy and correct syncing

• Audio descriptions – Ensuring videos are understandable without visuals

• Transcripts for all audio content – Making content accessible to screen reader users Interactive media elements – Testing for keyboard and screen reader compatibility

Real-World User Testing

Whenever possible, we involve users with disabilities to conduct real-world testing and ensure:

1. Seamless navigation for screen reader users

2. Logical and clear user interactions

3. Easy-to-use forms and menus

By combining automated efficiency with expert human review and real-world testing, we go beyond compliance—ensuring your digital content is truly accessible, inclusive, and user-friendly.

Why 508 Compliance Matters for Your Business

• Avoid Legal Risks – Non-compliance can lead to lawsuits, government contract penalties, and reputational damage

• Expand Your Audience – Making your content accessible allows millions of people with disabilities to engage with your brand.

• Boost SEO & Performance – Accessible websites rank higher on search engines and improve user experience.

• Win Government Contracts – 508 compliance is often now a requirement for federal work, giving you a competitive advantage.

We Make 508 Compliance Simple

Ensuring 508 compliance can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone.

At Accesify Media, LLC , we provide fully compliant accessibility solutions that help businesses meet 508 and WCAG standards effortlessly. Our hybrid approach of automated testing + manual reviews ensures:

• Fast & accurate accessibility audits

• Detailed reports with actionable fixes

• Multimedia accessibility solutions (captions, transcripts, audio descriptions)

• Expert consultation and remediation support

• Future-proof compliance that meets evolving standards

Don’t wait for compliance issues to become a problem — take proactive steps today! Get in touch now to future-proof your digital accessibility.