LSI

508 Compliance

Why Diversity and Inclusivity are Good for Business

Section 508 compliance requires that any digital content created or maintained by the Federal government, or government
contractors, must be accessible to people with disabilities. Many private sector businesses also incorporate Section 508
compliance into their content production as a show of good faith and ethical business practices. Regardless of your
company’s industry, the crux of the matter is that applying 508 standards will allow you to meet the needs of your audience
most effectively.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 794d) was added in 1998 and requires federally funded programs
to ensure electronic information and technology is as accessible to “individuals with disabilities” as it is to those without
disabilities. The purpose of these standards was to create a concrete set of rules federal agencies could use to ensure
their content was accessible. On January 18, 2017, the Access Board officially updated these rules to better reflect current
technology and associated user accessibility needs.

A 2014 U.S. Census Bureau report shows that approximately 17% of the United States population has a disability that falls
under Section 508. By ensuring external work products as well as internal assets and communications are 508 compliant,
your company will become inclusive of all current and potential clients and employees. It is crucial for businesses to embrace
and promote diversity and inclusivity, both internally and externally. Hiring people from different backgrounds, with varied
skillsets, abilities, and experiences leads to greater innovation and creativity; implementing Section 508 compliance on
your company’s website and on all external marketing deliverables allows your message to reach a wider audience without
sacrificing the message itself or your connection with your audience.

SECTION 508 AND USER-CENTERED DESIGN

 

Too often, government contractors talk about meeting Section 508 requirements without ensuring content is truly accessible.
Section 508 can be confusing, since not all customers require or enforce the same level of compliance, and 508 standards are
less of an absolute list and more a set of general guidelines. This can create uncertainty, leaving vendors unsure of what to
do and often at the mercy of a customer who “knows if it meets the standard when they see it.” Digital content developers
need to move beyond the words in the Rehabilitation Act to understand the meaning if they want to create truly accessible
content.
The best way to implement innovative, user-centered design is to abide by Section 508. It might feel as if it’s impossible
to account for everyone’s needs, and that’s because it is. However, if you make sure your content meets the Section 508
standards, you can…

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