Introduction

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that federal agencies make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities. This guide provides an overview of how to ensure that documents are compliant with Section 508 standards.

Requirements

Documents must be accessible to individuals with various disabilities. This includes ensuring that text is readable by screen readers, images have alt text, and tables are properly formatted for navigation. Key requirements include:

• Text alternatives for non-text content.
• Captions and audio descriptions for multimedia.
• Accessible forms with clear labels and instructions.
• Logical document structure with headings and lists.
• Keyboard navigability.

Implementation

To implement Section 508 compliance, follow these steps:

1. Use accessible document formats such as tagged PDFs or HTML.
2. Ensure that all images include descriptive alt text.
3. Structure your documents with proper headings, lists, and tables.
4. Test your documents with screen readers and other accessibility tools.
5. Provide alternative formats upon request.

Best Practices

Adopt these best practices to enhance document accessibility:

• Keep document content clear and concise.
• Use high-contrast colors for text and background.
• Regularly update and review documents for compliance.
• Provide training for staff on accessibility standards.

Resources

For further information, refer to the following resources:

• Section 508 Website
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
• Adobe Accessibility Resources