Trusted Solutions for 508 Accessibility Compliance

Section 508 compliance applies to all Federal agencies and any organization or business that holds a federal government contract. However, many non-federal digital content are legally required to be accessible under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires any organization that receives federal funding or assistance to be accessible to people with disabilities.

*In 2021, Colorado passed a bill, HB21-1110, that mandates the state and local government websites and digital content be accessible by July 1, 2024. In May 2024, HB24-1454 (the Grace Period Bill) was signed by the Governor. This bill may provide a one-year grace period to July 1, 2025 for public entities agencies. For more information about this law and how it may affect your organization in Colorado, please go to the Accessibility Law for Colorado State and Local Government page.

Organizations that are required to be 508 compliant and accessible need to meet Level AA conformance of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. These guidelines include but are not limited to: color contrast, clear form labels, keyboard navigation, plain language use and subtitles.

• Review your digital content such as websites, videos, and documents (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF), and perform an accessibility audit. Start with the Accessibility Conformance Checklists, the WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool, or hire a professional accessibility consultant like Circuit Media! 

Being accessible and compliant with Section 508 is an ongoing process. Once you have identified the non-compliant elements within your existing materials and/or website, meet with your team or contractors to develop an action plan to remediate or update all items to ensure 508 compliance.

Video accessibility ensures that everyone can fully engage with video content regardless of ability. By incorporating tools like audio descriptions, closed captions, and transcriptions, government organizations can expand their reach, improve user experiences, and comply with federal and state guidelines. Accessible video content isn’t just for those with disabilities; it creates new learning opportunities, enhances language development, and even supports multitasking.

Audio descriptions, closed captions, and transcriptions are the core components of video accessibility. Audio descriptions provide spoken narration of visual elements, making videos accessible to viewers who are blind or have low vision. This feature is also helpful for individuals who might struggle to interpret cues, offering a detailed, narrated experience. Closed captions and subtitles display spoken dialogue and relevant sounds as text, making videos accessible for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. They’re also invaluable in noisy environments or for viewers learning a different language. Finally, transcriptions provide a written version of the video’s audio content. They’re a great resource for improving SEO, aiding those with hearing loss, and serving as a reference in educational or professional settings.