What is Section 508, and Why Does it Matter?
The third Thursday of May is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), a day that reminds us to consider whether our communications reach everyone equally. It was started in 2012 "to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access/inclusion and people with different disabilities."
Making the digital world accessible to everyone is the spirit behind Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the law that requires federal agencies to make their information and communication technology accessible to and usable by people who have disabilities. However, guaranteeing accessibility is easier said than done. The 2024 Governmentwide Section 508 Assessment found that only about one-third or less of the most-viewed videos, public documents, public internet pages, and intranet pages at participating federal entities fully conformed with accessibility standards.
At QIP, we work with clients to ensure that their products comply not only with the letter of law but also with the spirit of the law. Public resources should be available to everyone regardless of ability.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-quarter (28.7 percent) of American adults live with a disability, including more than 6 percent with a serious hearing disability, more than 5 percent with a serious sight disability, and almost 14 percent with a cognitive disability. Neglecting accessibility means potentially eliminating one of every four people you might want to receive your message.
At times, we have worked with people who have been taught that "508" is something to be tacked on to the end of a project. Thinking about accessibility from the beginning of a project through the end ensures both compliance with 508 requirements (the letter of the law) and content that is planned and designed to be inclusive (the spirit of the law). Accessible design could mean providing closed captions on your instructional video, ensuring that screen-reading software can read your infographic accurately, or using colors with good contrast for readability.
Doing 508 compliance right means developing a clear message that reaches everyone regardless of ability and constantly seeking ways to communicate better. On Global Accessibility Awareness Day, consider attending a virtual event or participating in a challenge to develop greater understanding.
At QIP, we will be using a range of tools to assess our website, and at least one member of our staff is taking a 10-day accessibility challenge. How will you make the world more equal today?
