Section 508 of the rehabilitation act 1973, as amended 1998 requires that any electronic and information technology eit procured, developed, used or maintained by federal agencies must be accessible to employees and members of the public with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency. Section 508 requires federal agencies to make their ict such as technology, online training and websites accessible for everyone. The us access board established the section 508 standards that implement the law and provides the requirements for accessibility. Additional tutorials on how to create 508 compliant pdf documents.
The irs alternative media center is excited to be working with adobe systems and some. The following standards are excerpted from section 508 of the rehabilitation act, 1194. Hud policy on section 508 of the rehabilitation act and accessible technology 1. If you acquire a client thats looking for accessible pdf files or needs to redesign their website so it meets section 508 requirements, try not to be too intimidated or turnedoff. Access boards new rules that updates accessibility requirements for information and communication technology ict in the federal sector covered by section 508 of. Purpose this directive provides policy and guidelines for the agricultural marketing service ams to ensure compliance with section 508. Section 508 was originally added as an amendment to the rehabilitation act of 1973 in 1986. The sixyear process of updating these requirements constitutes the first refresh since section 508 was created in 1998. In addition to section 508 requirements, hhs has policies, standards, and requirements for electronic documents that include but are not. Agencydeveloped guidance the resources in this section were developed by federal agencies and.
The standards are published in the federal governments procurement regulations. The section 508 standards apply to electronic and information technology procured by the federal government, including computer hardware and software, websites, and multimedia such as video, phone systems, and copiers. This checklist is not official section 508 documentation. Section 508 ssa requirements and testing guidelines introduction. The rule is slated to go into effect in march, 2018, and references wcag 2. The term agency is defined in section e103 to include the united. To view the departmental section 508 directive, please view dr 4030001 and the associated section 508 reference manual. Oct 08, 2019 section 508 requires that all website content be accessible to people with disabilities. Please see go to our websitefor details on how our deliverables meet section 508 requirements. Harmonized ict test baseline for section 508 compliance. This exception exists due to the safe harbor clause in federal section 508, which allows content that was compliant with the older version of section 508. The purpose of this document is to give vendors a significant and meaningful example of the features which ssa tests for in evaluating products for section 508.
Please visit other pages on the navigation pane to the right titled resources to view more information about accessibility and obtaining conformance with section 508. Nov 12, 20 chances are sooner or later youre going to be assigned a project requiring 508 compliant accessibility standards. A trusted tester is a person certified to provide accurate and repeatable section 508 compliance test results for software and web applications. On january 18, 2017, the united states access board published the final rule information and communication technology ict standards and guidelines in the federal register the final rule includes revisions and updates to the section 508 based standards and section. How to test and remediate pdfs for accessibility using adobe acrobat dc. To validate pdfs for section 508 compliance, testers must utilize the tools available in adobe acrobat professionalto conduct manual and automatic section 508 compliance testing. This work is part of a suite of comparison documents being done by the user agent accessibility guidelines uawg working group. United states department of agriculture agricultural marketing service directive 3. This document has been produced as a tool for developers to understand where the 508 requirements and uaag 1. Dhs section 508 compliance test process for applications. The checklist from section a forward is based on the wcag 2. Section 508 standards will become part of the federal acquisition regulation and other federal laws that govern agency buying. Although section 508 compliance does not require the additional wcag 2. Having a wellstructured source file does not necessarily translate into an.
The original section 508 dealt with electronic and information technologies, in recognition of the growth of this field. Reporting on fpc is used to determine if the product meets the requirements for equivalent facilitation appendix a, 508 chapter 1, e101. Any ict, component of ict, or portion of ict falls under the safe harbor provision. The resources in this section were developed by the accessible electronic documents community of practice aed cop. Conformance to requirements for softwareauthoring tools requirement in the revised 508 standards. Hhs section 508 accessibility checklists the below checklists are the official hhs accessibility checklists. The forms on this page are provided in adobe acrobat portable document format. A stepbystep guide to creating accessible pdf documents from word how to ensure your pdf file is accessible using acrobat xi. Closed captioning and web accessibility requirements 3. The passfail criteria in this document represent an interpretation of section 508 web standards. The office of the chief information officer ocio is responsible for hhs section 508 compliance. Section 508 electronic and information technology a requirements for federal departments and agencies.
New location for the section 508 micro purchase training. Only the standards that are applicable to pdfs are listed. The checklist below, a series of tables, is based on the content of the pdf. Welcome to the w3cs section 508 and uaag requirements. Dhs section 508 compliance test process for ios mobile. This page has information about the section 508 law, and the va section 508 office. Simply put, companies will no longer be able to sell federal agencies any software or hardware that fails to meet accessibility standards. If this procurement is for components internal replacement parts, complete the following and sign this form on the second page. Oaa secti on 508 standards check list and assessment. Content that was compliant with cdes prior web standards and has not been updated after january 18, 2018. The department of the interior doi is committed to making its electronic and information technologies accessible to individuals with disabilities by meeting or exceeding the requirements of section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended. Using practical examples, this course explains how section 508 requirements apply to micropurchases of hardware, software, and other.
An online guide on creating accessible and complaint pdf documents through acrobat xi pro. This section provides references and guidance toward accomplishing that goal. Authorizations for uses and disclosures 1 authorization required. Access board can be found here, and are codified at 36 c. Use this form to waive certain diplomatic rights privileges, exemptions, and immunities associated with your occupational status including any exemption from paying u. The rehabilitation act, enacted in 1973, is a federal. Cms section 508 policy 2 downloadedprinted copies may be obsolete. Hud policy on section 508 of the rehabilitation act and. Compliance with section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973. Introduction section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended, 29 u. Any time you are preparing an electronic document that will be posted online or distributed via email, whether its an internal document or an external document, you need to follow the section 508 guidelines.
If you would like to file a section 508 related complaint, refer to the notice of rights section below for instructions. The checklist includes compliance with section 508, in addition to other hhs requirements. Section 508 requires federal agencies to make their ict such as. Pdfua clarifies and simplifies the pdfspecific technical requirements to meet wcag 2. Does itext 7 create pdfs that are section 508 compliant. Making documents section 508 compliant all electronic communication and documentation created by cms employees and contractors must be 508 compliant. Whats new in section 508 it accessibility commonwiki.
In addition to section 508 requirements, hhs has policies, standards, and requirements for electronic documents that include but are not limited to the following. Tagging a pdf can be tedious and requires acrobat pro or expensive thirdparty software. Get a free demonstration using your document or form. But the longer and more complex your document, the less likely it meets all of the 508 pdf accessibility requirements. Hhs web accessibility standards these standards for pdf and html forms, email. Section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended 29 u. In preparation for its report, the department of justice conducts a survey of federal agencies to obtain information on the state of compliance with section 508. As of january 2018, the technical requirements of section 508 have changed to. The changes suggested herein follow a simple formula. These pdf forms are fully accessible but there is no computation, validation, or verification of the information you enter.
Dec 21, 2000 section 508 also requires that individuals with disabilities, who are members of the public seeking information or services from a federal agency, have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that provided to the public who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency. Tip sheet on hhs section 508 requirements and best practices for ms excel 2010 documents. The second regulation issued to implement section 508 amended the federal acquisition regulations far to ensure that agency acquisitions of ict comply with the access boards standards. Accessibility web standards web site information ca. Reviewing new purchase requests originating within the usda business component to ensure usda compliance with federal section 508 requirements. For more information about section 508, please refer to one of the following sites. Applicants with additional licenses 3 or more must schedule an appointment with the nevada real estate division nred licensing section. A beginners guide to section 508 and accessibility compliance. Ict testing baseline github the ict testing baseline was established by a subcommittee under the us federal cio council to provide a standard means to evaluate webbased electronic content for conformance to the section 508 standards. Do section 508 accessibility standards apply to my website. While section 508 applies principally to the federal governments development, procurement, maintenance, and use of eit, in order for hud to use or rely on eit developed by third parties, hud requires its contractors and grantees to comply with section 508 requirements through procurement and grant requirements. Department of education is committed to making its electronic and information technologies accessible to individuals with disabilities by meeting or exceeding the requirements of section 508.
Cms section 508 quick reference guide ms excel 2010. About the section 508 standards united states access board. To access the micro purchases and section 508 requirements. I508, request for waiver of certain rights, privileges. Providing section 508 program support and coordination between the agency and the business component clearance officer. Please include the web address and a description of the problems you have encountered. Pdfs are required by law to meet section 508 accessibility requirements.
General subpart a the standards define the types of technology covered and set forth provisions that establish a minimum level of accessibility. A development, procurement, maintenance, or use of electronic and information technology. For the full text of section 508, please see the official government 508 web site. How to create accessible portable document format pdf documents that conform to the revised 508 standards. Providing technical assistance on section 508 issues within the agency. The section 508 standards are part of the federal acquisition regulation. For more information contact a cms 508 clearance officer see. Ssas guide to applying section 508 standards introduction. When developing, procuring, maintaining, or using electronic and information technology, each federal department or. Emergency management institute 508 and technical standards. Ssas guide to applying section 508 standards introduction ii section 508 ssa requirements and testing guidelines introduction the purpose of this document is to give vendors a significant and meaningful example of the features which ssa tests for in evaluating products for section 508 compliance. Irs section 508 compliant pdf forms internal revenue service. Emi maintains a locally authored policy guide that covers all aspects of section 508 compliance known as appendix a. Section 508 also directs the attorney general to submit reports to the president and congress on the state of federal agencies compliance with the acts requirements.
Section 508 standards were developed by the access board, a federal agency, as required by section 508 of the rehabilitation act as amended in 1998. Identifies functional organization stewardships that correspond to the section 508 technical specification standards in the following products and. Closed captioning and web accessibility requirements. The section 508 standards are part of the federal acquisition regulation far and address access for people with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. Section 508 standards section 508 compliant document. Section 508 micro purchase training is now located on the federal acquisition institute training application system faitas. Setting up a private foundation in your will or trust. Simply email us a pdf and pick a page youd like us to make section 508 compliant. Accessibility statement us department of education. Whats changed for federal government website accessibility requirements. Adobe acrobat reader does not includeany accessibility validation tools and therefore it is not used to test pdfs in this test process. Section 508 pdf document accessibility test process.
This applies to web applications, web pages and all attached files on the intranet, as well as, the internet. Section 508 standards do not apply to componentsinternal replacement parts to maintain any e it. Electronic and information technology a requirements for federal departments and agencies 1 accessibility. S citizen working for a foreign government mission or international organization and are a. The section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended 29 u. These revised 508 standards, which consist of 508 chapters 1 and 2 appendix a, along with chapters 3 through 7 appendix c, contain scoping and technical requirements for information and communication technology ict to ensure accessibility and usability by individuals with disabilities. Occasionally, a pdf may not meet those requirements e.
Dhs section 508 compliance test process for applications about this document who should use this document this document has been designed for and is intended for use by dhs trusted testers. The original section 508 amendment was added to the rehabilitation act back in 1986. Section 508 office of the chief information officer. Provides highlevel technical guidance on the eit accessibility standards. Section 508 compliance checklist section 508 self check web accessibility self evaluation form this is a printable form and not an electronic form. Keep reading to learn more about section 508 and accessibility compliance. Revised 2242020 page 1 of 2 508 instructions for broker license all broker applicants applications and status changes may be submitted to the division by mail or in person from 8. Send us your accessibility feedback, questions, or concerns. They were issued under section 508 of the rehabilitation act which requires access for both members of the public and federal employees to such technologies when developed, procured, maintained, or used by federal agencies.