What is 508 compliance?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990, and its requirements have been extended to cover electronic and information technology under what is known as the 508 compliance standard. This standard requires that all electronic and information technology be accessible to people with disabilities. This includes everything from websites to software to hardware to workplace equipment.

The history of 508 compliance

The ADA was passed in 1990, but the 508 compliance standard did not come into effect until 1998. In 2000, the U.S. Access Board published the first set of accessibility standards under the 508 compliance umbrella, known as the Section 255 Standards. These standards were updated in 2004 and again in 2010.

Why is 508 compliance important?

The 508 compliance standard is important because it ensures that all electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities. This includes everything from websites to software to hardware to workplace equipment.

What are the requirements for 508 compliance?

There are four main requirements for 508 compliance:

-All electronic and information technology must be accessible to people with disabilities.

-All electronic and information technology must be compatible with assistive technology.

-All electronic and information technology must be usable by people with disabilities.

-All electronic and information technology must be affordable for people with disabilities.

What are some common 508 compliance issues?

There are a number of common 508 compliance issues, including:

-Inaccessible websites

-Incompatible software

-Unusable hardware

-Inexpensive workplace equipment

How can you ensure 508 compliance in your organization?

There are a number of ways you can ensure 508 compliance in your organization, including:

-Developing a 508 compliance policy

-Providing 508 compliance training

-Designing accessible websites

-Testing software for compatibility with assistive technology

-Selecting accessible hardware

-Ensuring workplace equipment is affordable.

Official Government Organization / United States Government Website:

The United States Access Board is the federal agency that develops and maintains the accessibility standards known as the Section 255 Standards. These standards are used by organizations to ensure that their electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities.

What is the difference between 508 compliance and WCAG 2.0?

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an international organization that develops standards for the World Wide Web. One of these standards is known as WCAG 2.0, which stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. WCAG 2.0 is a set of guidelines for making web content accessible to people with disabilities. 508 compliance is a standard that requires all electronic and information technology to be accessible to people with disabilities. While WCAG 2.0 is not a requirement for 508 compliance, it is often used as a guide by organizations to help them meet the 508 compliance standard.

What are some common tools used for 508 compliance?

There are a number of common tools used for 508 compliance, including:

-Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0

-Section 508 Standards

-Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT)

What is the difference between 508 compliance and ADA compliance?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life. The 508 compliance standard is a set of guidelines for making electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. While the ADA does not specifically require 508 compliance, the 508 standards are often used as a guide by organizations to help them meet the ADA requirements.

Official Websites:

-https://www.access-board.gov/

-https://www.section508.gov/

-https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/

-https://www.ada.gov/

Secure websites:

-https://www.ssa.gov/

-https://www.irs.gov/

-https://www.usa.gov/

Who needs to receive training?

All employees who work with electronic information or who are responsible for procuring, developing, maintaining, or using electronic information technology (EIT) must receive compliance training. This includes all full-time, part-time, and temporary workers.

What type of training is required?

The type of training required will vary depending on an employee's job duties. However, all employees must receive basic training on the requirements of Section 508 and how to comply with them. In addition, employees who are responsible for procuring, developing, maintaining, or using EIT must receive more detailed training on the specific requirements that apply to their job duties.

How often must training be provided?

All employees must receive initial compliance training within six months of their start date. After that, employees must receive refresher training at least once every three years.

Methods for delivering compliance training:

There are a variety of methods that can be used to deliver compliance training to employees. Some common methods include in-person training, online training, and webinars.

In-person training:

In-person training is a good option for employees who need more hands-on instruction or who learn best by interacting with a trainer in person. This type of training can be delivered through traditional classroom lectures, workshops, or seminars.

Online training:

Online training is a convenient option for employees who need flexibility in their schedule or who learn best independently. Online courses can be self-paced or delivered in a synchronous format. Many online courses are also interactive, which can help keep employees engaged in the material.

Webinars:

Webinars are a type of online training that can be delivered in a synchronous or asynchronous format. Webinars typically involve a presenter leading a training session that is broadcast over the internet. Participants can view the presentation and ask questions in real time, or they can watch a recorded version of the webinar at their convenience.

What is 508 Compliance Checklist?

508 compliance checklist is a list of criteria that must be met in order to ensure that a website or other digital content is accessible to people with disabilities. The checklist covers a wide range of factors, including site design, navigation, and the use of alternative methods of accessing information. 508 compliance is required by law in the United States for all federal government websites and many other organizations are beginning to adopt these standards as well.

There are a number of different ways to approach 508 compliance, but one of the most important things to keep in mind is that accessibility should be built into the site from the ground up. This means that all features and functionality should be designed with accessibility in mind, and that any new content or features added to the site should be tested for accessibility before being made live.

One way to approach 508 compliance is to use an automated testing tool such as the WebAIM WAVE tool, which will help you identify potential accessibility issues on your site. You can also hire a professional accessibility consultant to review your site and provide specific recommendations for making it more accessible.

In general, there are three main areas to focus on when trying to make your site 508 compliant:

>> Site design: Make sure that the overall design of your site is simple and easy to understand. Use clear and concise text, and make sure that navigation is easy to follow.

>> Content: All of the content on your site should be well-written and easy to understand. It should also be properly formatted so that it can be read by screen readers.

>> Functionality: Any features or functionality on your site should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their disability. This includes things like alt text for images, closed captioning for videos, and using proper coding techniques.

The best way to ensure that your site is 508 compliant is to work with an experienced accessibility consultant who can help you identify and fix any potential issues. However, even if you don’t have the budget for a consultant, there are still a number of things you can do to improve the accessibility of your site. By following the tips above, you can make sure that your site is accessible to everyone.

508 Compliance Training

Course overview:

This course will provide an overview of the compliance training requirements under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. The course will cover who needs to receive training, what type of training is required, and how often training must be provided. In addition, the course will discuss methods for delivering compliance training to employees.

Learning Objectives:

- Understand the compliance training requirements under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

- Learn who needs to receive training, what type of training is required, and how often training must be provided

- Discover methods for delivering compliance training to employees

- Gain knowledge on resources available to help with compliance training delivery

Course Outline:

- Section 508 Overview

- Who Needs Training?

- What Type of Training is Required?

- How Often Must Training be Provided?

- Methods for Delivering Training

- Resources Available to Help with Compliance Training Delivery

- Wrap Up and Questions

Glossary:

Information and communication technology:

Information and communication technology (ICT) refers to any type of electronic equipment or software that is used to process, store, or transmit information. ICT includes a wide range of devices, from computers and smartphones to office equipment and security systems.

Section 508:

Section 508 is a federal law that requires electronic information and communication technology (ICT) to be accessible to people with disabilities. The law applies to all federal agencies, and any other entity that receives federal funding.

Accessible:

The term "accessible" refers to ICT that can be used by people with disabilities. ICT is considered accessible if it can be used by people with a wide range of disabilities, including those who are blind, have low vision, are deaf or hard of hearing, have mobility impairments, or have cognitive impairments.

Compliance:

Compliance refers to the act of meeting all the requirements of a law, regulation, or policy. In the context of Section 508 compliance training, compliance means providing training that meets the requirements of the law.

Training:

Training is a process of learning new information or skills. Training can be delivered in person, online, or through other methods. Compliance training refers to training that covers the requirements of a law, regulation, or policy. In the context of Section 508, compliance training would cover the requirements of the law that relate to accessibility of ICT.

Employee:

An employee is someone who works for an organization in exchange for compensation. Employees can be full-time, part-time, or temporary. They can also be salaried or hourly.

Gov websites:

Gov websites are websites that are maintained by government agencies. Gov websites must comply with federal laws, including Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Contractor:

A contractor is an individual or organization that provides goods or services to another organization under a contract. Contractors can be used by government agencies to provide goods or services that the agency cannot provide itself. Contractors must comply with all applicable laws, including Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

People with disabilities:

The term "people with disabilities" refers to individuals who have physical or mental impairments that limit their ability to participate in major life activities. People with disabilities can include those who are blind, have low vision, are deaf or hard of hearing, have mobility impairments, or have cognitive impairments.

ICT:

Information and communication technology (ICT) refers to any type of electronic equipment or software that is used to process, store, or transmit information. ICT includes a wide range of devices, from computers and smartphones to office equipment and security systems.

Disabilities:

A disability is a physical or mental impairment that limits a person's ability to participate in major life activities. Disabilities can include those that are sensory (e.g., blindness, low vision, deafness, or hearing loss), physical (e.g., mobility impairments), or cognitive (e.g., intellectual disability, learning disability, or brain injury).

Reasonable accommodation:

A reasonable accommodation is a change to an employee's job or working conditions that allows the employee to perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations can include changes to the physical work environment, changes to work schedules, or the use of assistive technology.

Assistive technology:

Assistive technology (AT) is any type of device or software that is used to help people with disabilities participate in activities that they would otherwise be unable to do. AT can include items such as adaptive computer equipment, screen reading software, and Braille printers.

Reviews job related responsibilities:

Reviews job related responsibilities to ensure that they can be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Determines if an accommodation is needed:

If an accommodation is determined to be needed, the employer works with the employee to identify an appropriate accommodation.

Implements the accommodation:

The employer implements the accommodation and ensures that it is effective in allowing the employee to perform the essential functions of the job.

Monitor the accommodation:

The employer monitors the accommodation to ensure that it continues to be effective and makes changes as needed.

Sensitive information:

Sensitive information is any information that could be used to discriminate against an individual or that could potentially cause harm if it were released. Sensitive information includes, but is not limited to, information about an individual's race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, medical condition, or sexual orientation.

Release of information:

The release of information refers to the sharing of sensitive information with individuals or organizations outside of the government. The release of information can be done manually, through electronic means, or by accident.

Accessible technology products:

Accessible technology products are those that can be used by people with disabilities without the need for specialized training or assistance. Accessible technology products can include items such as adaptive computer equipment, screen reading software, and Braille printers.

Inclusive design:

Inclusive design is the process of designing products and services that can be used by people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. Inclusive design takes into account the needs of all users, including those with disabilities, and strives to create products and services that are usable by everyone.

Non-discrimination:

Non-discrimination is the principle that individuals should be treated equally and fairly, without regard to their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, medical condition, or sexual orientation.

Government information:

Government information is any type of information that is created or maintained by a government agency. Government information can include items such as laws, regulations, court decisions, tax records, and census data.

Safely connected:

Safely connected refers to the ability to connect to the internet and use electronic devices without the risk of being hacked or having personal information stolen. Safely connected can also refer to the ability to connect to public Wi-Fi networks without putting personal information at risk.