"Section 508 requires federal agencies to make their information and communications technology (ICT) such as online training and websites accessible for everyone, regardless of whether or not they work for the federal government.”
Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency
“One of the most important ways that the U.S. federal government provides access to government services and information is through its more than 4,500 websites on more than 400 domains. Yet 91% of its most popular sites fail to meet basic standards for security, speed, mobile friendliness, or accessibility.”
Source: "Benchmarking U.S. Government Websites," The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
“Section 504 prohibits discrimination based on disability by federal agencies and recipients of federal assistance. In this instance, accessibility applies to facilities, and communications such as websites. So, if your organization receives federal funding or assistance, your website is required to be accessible.”
Source: U.S. General Services Administration, Section508.gov
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was amended in 1998 to include Section 508, which requires federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities, including both employees and members of the public.
Section 508 standards were recently revised and as of January 1, 2018, federal agencies and contractors had to meet the revised standards — including the adoption of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 A/AA as the official accessibility requirements.
In other words, according to SeamlessDocs.com whose aim is to improve online interactions between citizens and the federal government, “As federal, state, and local governments embrace the digital age, law requires online information and services to be accessible to all staff and constituents. But with the constantly evolving digital landscape, many (agencies) are at a loss for how to incorporate accessibility into their digital strategy.”
That’s where we come in. The Bureau of Internet Accessibility (BOIA) provides everything from self-help tools, audits, and training to remediation and implementation support, which includes a full-time staff comprised of persons with disabilities using assistive technology. We have the experience and expertise to ensure accessibility and WCAG compliance success.
If you need to ensure greater website accessibility and compliance for persons with disabilities, don’t go it alone. The BOIA has been helping federal government agencies to achieve compliance for more than 20 years.
Get in touch with us today to get started on your journey to website accessibility and compliance success. We offer both FREE consultation services and a FREE website accessibility scan to see where your biggest online pain points currently exist. Let’s get started.
