Americans With Disabilities Act Section 508

Section 508 protects Americans with diabilities.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 was created to protect the rights of United States citizens who are disabled. The ADA works hand-in-hand with the Rehabilitation Act of 1998 which provides standards regarding access for disabled individuals. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act protects the rights of disabled Americans to access federal electronic information.

The Law

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires federal agencies to make electronic information accessible to disabled Americans who are government employees as well as disabled members of the population at large. This includes information used by government agencies that is created, procured or maintained by the agency. Agencies may be exempt from this law if they can prove that making the information accessible would cause an undue burden on the agency, either financial or time-based.

Responsible Agency

The Access Board, an independent government agency, establishes the standards to which federal entities must adhere. Standards developed by the Access Board refer to information created on, or after, June 21, 2001.

Standards

The standards set forth by the access board are extensive, but generally relate to the steps agencies must take to ensure individuals with disabilities can access information. Requirements may include text of audio files, audio of text files, keyboard navigation options that do not require the use of a computer mouse and text labels for graphics. Text telephone (TTY) access is also covered under these standards.

References

• Pacer Center: ADA Q & A: The Rehabilitation Act and ADA Connection
• U.S. Department of Justice: Guide to Disability Laws
• Access Board: Electronic and Informational Standards Overview

Resources

• Americans with Disabilities Act