Understanding Section 508 Compliance
Read practical guidance on Section 508 compliance and accessible digital content for public sector organizations.
What is Section 508?
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal law that requires all electronic and information technology (EIT) developed, procured, maintained, or used by federal agencies to be accessible to people with disabilities. This includes websites, software, hardware, telecommunications equipment, multimedia, and electronic documents.
Who Must Comply with Section 508?
- Federal Agencies: All U.S. federal government departments and agencies
- Federal Contractors: Companies providing technology or content to federal agencies
- Grant Recipients: Organizations receiving federal funding involving electronic and information technology
- State and Local Governments: When receiving federal funding for technology projects
Section 508 Refresh: Updated Standards
In January 2017, the U.S. Access Board published the Section 508 refresh, which updated standards to align with WCAG 2.0 Level AA and expanded coverage to mobile applications and electronic documents.
- Incorporation of WCAG 2.0 Level AA as the technical standard for web content
- Expanded coverage to include mobile applications and electronic documents
- Updated requirements for software, hardware, and support documentation
- More specific requirements for real-time text functionality and closed captioning
How Morf Supports Section 508 Programs
Morf helps agencies and contractors meet Section 508 requirements across document libraries, public-facing content, and transformation pipelines:
- PDF/UA and WCAG-aligned document remediation at scale
- Validation reporting for procurement and audit readiness
- STEM, forms, and scanned document transformation workflows
- Enterprise security controls including SOC 2 attestation
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Section 508?
- Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires federal agencies and many contractors to ensure electronic and information technology — including websites, software, documents, and multimedia — is accessible to people with disabilities.
- How does Section 508 relate to WCAG?
- The 2017 Section 508 refresh incorporated WCAG 2.0 Level AA as the technical standard for web content, aligning federal requirements with internationally recognized accessibility criteria.
- Who beyond federal agencies should follow Section 508?
- Federal contractors, grant recipients, and state or local governments receiving federal technology funding often must demonstrate Section 508 conformance in procurement and deliverables.
Ready to strengthen your accessibility program?
Talk with Morf about scalable transformation, governance, and compliance reporting.
Schedule a Consultation