How to Evaluate Your Website for 508 Compliance.pdf

This guide explains Section 508 compliance, why it matters, and how organizations can evaluate their websites for accessibility. It covers legal obligations, ethical benefits, and practical testing methods, including audits, automated scans, manual reviews, and user feedback. Ensuring compliance reduces risks, enhances inclusivity, and improves digital experiences for all users.

1. How to Evaluate Your Website for 508
Compliance

Ensuring that digital content is accessible to everyone isn’t just a best practice—it’s a legal obligation
for many U.S. organizations. Section 508 compliance refers to federal requirements that ensure
websites, apps, and digital documents are usable by individuals with disabilities.
If you are a government agency, contractor, educational institution, or company that receives federal
funding, understanding what 508 compliance is and how to evaluate your website against its
requirements is critical. Not only does it protect your organization from legal risks, but it also creates
inclusive digital experiences for all users.

2. In this article, we’ll walk you through what Section 508 compliance means, why it matters, and the
practical steps you can take to evaluate your website through effective testing.
What Is Section 508 Compliance?
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires federal agencies and any organizations doing business
with them to ensure that their electronic and information technology (EIT) is accessible to people
with disabilities.
These requirements are closely aligned with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0
Level AA, which provide standards for:
●​Text alternatives for images and non-text elements​

●​Keyboard navigation without relying on a mouse​

●​Compatibility with assistive technologies such as screen readers​

●​Clear structure and logical reading order​

●​Sufficient color contrast for readability​

By aligning with WCAG, Section 508 ensures that digital products are usable not only for individuals
with disabilities but also for people in various contexts, such as older adults or users in challenging
environments.
Who Needs to Comply with Section 508?
Not every business in the U.S. is legally required to comply with Section 508, but many are.
Organizations that must meet these standards include:
●​Federal government departments and agencies​

●​Contractors working with the federal government​

●​Educational institutions receiving federal funding​

●​Software and technology vendors providing products or services to the government​

Even if your organization isn’t legally required to comply, aligning your website with 508 standards
demonstrates your commitment to accessibility and inclusion.
Why 508 Compliance Matters

3. Legal Consequences
Failure to comply with Section 508 can result in serious consequences, including lawsuits, financial
penalties, loss of federal contracts, and damage to your organization’s public image.
Ethical Responsibility
Accessibility is not simply a legal checkbox. It’s about providing equal access to information and
services for people with visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor impairments. By creating accessible
digital experiences, organizations promote fairness, inclusion, and social responsibility.
Broader Benefits
Accessible websites also benefit:
●​Older adults who may face age-related challenges such as reduced vision​

●​People with temporary injuries who may struggle with mobility or device use​

●​Users in difficult environments, such as poor lighting or noisy spaces, where accessibility
features improve usability​

In short, accessibility isn’t just for individuals with permanent disabilities—it enhances the digital
experience for everyone.
Steps to Evaluate Your Website for 508 Compliance
Achieving 508 compliance requires a structured evaluation process. Here’s how to approach it step
by step:
1. Conduct an Initial Accessibility Audit
Begin with a high-level review of your website against WCAG 2.0 AA standards. This helps identify
obvious issues such as missing alternative text, poor heading structures, or inaccessible forms. Many
organizations hire professional accessibility consultants at this stage to ensure a comprehensive and
unbiased audit.
2. Use Automated Testing Tools
Automated tools can quickly flag common accessibility problems. Popular options include:
●​WAVE by WebAIM – Provides a visual overlay of accessibility issues on your site​

●​Axe DevTools – A browser extension that integrates into developer workflows​

4. ●​Google Lighthouse – Built into Chrome DevTools for quick accessibility scoring​

While these tools are efficient, it’s important to note they only detect around 30–40% of accessibility
issues.
3. Perform Manual Testing
Manual testing fills in the gaps that automated scans miss. Key manual testing practices include:
●​Navigating your site entirely with a keyboard (using Tab, Enter, and arrow keys)​

●​Ensuring a logical reading order for screen reader users​

●​Checking that ARIA attributes and form labels are properly applied​

●​Testing color contrast manually against WCAG standards​

4. Involve Users with Disabilities
The most valuable feedback comes directly from users who rely on assistive technologies such as
JAWS, NVDA, or VoiceOver. Conduct usability testing sessions with individuals who have diverse
disabilities to ensure your website works in real-world conditions.
5. Document and Remediate Issues
Once issues are identified, document them in a prioritized list and create a remediation plan. Work
with developers and designers to fix the problems, then retest to confirm compliance. Keeping a
clear record of this process also demonstrates due diligence if compliance is ever questioned.
Testing Methods for Section 508 Compliance
There are two main testing approaches—manual and automated. Ideally, both should be combined
for thorough results.
Manual Testing
This involves human testers reviewing your site based on WCAG criteria and user experience.
●​Benefits: Identifies real-world usability problems that automated tools miss​

●​Limitations: More time-intensive and requires accessibility expertise​

5. Automated Testing
This uses software tools to scan websites for detectable compliance issues such as missing alt text,
poor contrast, or unlabeled buttons.
●​Benefits: Fast and scalable across large websites​

●​Limitations: Cannot catch deeper usability or structural issues​

A balanced approach—leveraging automation for efficiency and manual testing for accuracy—is the
best way to achieve reliable 508 compliance.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failing to comply with Section 508 can have significant consequences, including:
●​Legal actions and complaints under the Rehabilitation Act​

●​Loss of federal contracts or funding, limiting future opportunities​

●​Public criticism and loss of trust among customers and stakeholders​

●​Increased remediation costs, since retrofitting accessibility after development is often far
more expensive​

Compliance is not just about avoiding penalties—it’s about proving that your organization values
equity, inclusivity, and digital responsibility.
Helpful Resources for 508 Testing
●​Section508.gov – Official government guidance​

●​W3C WCAG Guidelines – Global accessibility standards​

●​Accessibility Innovations – Professional accessibility audits and consulting services​

Conclusion
Section 508 compliance is a critical part of building accessible digital products. While it’s a legal
requirement for federal agencies and their partners, it also reflects a deeper commitment to
inclusion and usability.

6. By combining automated scans, manual testing, and user feedback, you can evaluate your website
effectively, fix accessibility barriers, and ensure compliance.
Accessibility is not just a compliance issue—it’s an opportunity to make your digital content usable
and welcoming to everyone.
Ready to evaluate your website or documents?​
Schedule a 508 Compliance Audit with Accessibility Innovations today and take the first step
toward a more inclusive digital future.