Section 508 is a regulation that requires federally-funded electronic and information technology (including web sites) to be accessible to people with disabilities.

Populations to consider include:

• Blind people using assistive technology such as Braille or voice screen readers
• People with weak vision who may not be using assistive technology
• Deaf people
• Color-blind people
• People with motor control weakness

How do I make my web site 508 compliant?

The good news is, you do not have to completely redo your site from scratch in order to be Section 508 compliant. When it comes to 508, "separate but equal" is a valid approach. For example, if your website currently contains a streaming audio clip, you can add a page which includes a transcript of the clip.

Even companies that are not required to adhere to Section 508 guidelines may want to make their sites more user-friendly to all visitors. Here are some easy-to-implement tips to get you started:

• DO include descriptive ALT tags for all images which have meaning or content
• DO use relative font size
• DO use high-contrast text and background colors
• DO include text links in addition to or in place of image-based navigation
• DO NOT place text over distracting background images
• DO NOT use color as the sole means of conveying information
• DO NOT use animated gifs, Flash presentations, or Java Applets that cause the screen to flicker with a frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz (These can cause seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy)
• DO NOT force users to click a button or link rapidly, or to fill out a form in a short period of time

Where can I find more information on Section 508?

Access Board Guidelines
This page includes a 508 checklist for web sites.

Bobby
This is a tool that automatically analyzes a URL you type in for section 508 compliance. Caution: you must think critically about each example of non-compliance Bobby finds. For example, Bobby may flag your site for not including an ALT tag on an image that is actually a spacer.

Section508.gov
This is the most extensive government site dealing with Section 508. It contains the complete text of the Section 508 regulation, includes an interactive forum where you can discuss 508 issues, offers 508 training courses, and allows you to search for assistive technology vendors.

What if I want help with Section 508 issues?

Woodbourne Solutions has extensive experience implementing Section 508 guidelines on government sites such as the NICHD Intranet, NIH Travel Requisition system, and the new National Children's Study site.

Woodbourne Solutions is also listed on section508.gov as an approved Accessible Service.

Call Victor Furnells at 301-428-7620 x20 for a FREE 508-compliance analysis of your existing site, or fill out this form, noting your interest in Section 508 issues.