Section 508

Topics on this page

• General Information
• Compliance & Remediation
• PDFs
• Video
• Related Links

General Information

Section 508 requires that all Web site content be equally accessible to people with disabilities.  This applies to Web applications, Web pages and all attached files.  It applies to intranet as well as public-facing Web pages.

• Access Board Guidance – your primary reference point
• 508 Web Compliance and Remediation Framework
• Section 508: Why Comply?
• Section 508 Accessibility Policy
• 508 Interim Access Provision
• 508 Contract Language (PDF – 36.15 KB)
• Myths & FACTS about 508 
  (PDF - 24.15 KB)
• Testing Documents for Section 508 Compliance
• Waldo’s Web Diet – A DHHS Web Health and Fitness Program (Presentation at 2008 Government Web Managers Conference)
• Frequent Questions

• Checklists
  • Word Document 508 Checklist ( PDF – 22.58 KB)
  • PDF File 508 Checklist (PDF – 26 KB)
  • Multimedia File 508 Checklist
    (PDF - 19.02 KB)
  • HTML 508 Checklist (PDF - 33.84 KB)
  • Powerpoint Document 508 Checklist 

    (PDF - 58.03 KB)

• Standards
  • Accessibility (Section 508) and Email
  • Accessibility (Section 508) and Video/Multimedia Content
  • Skip Navigation (Accessibility/508)

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Compliance & Remediation (C&R)

The Remediation Framework outlines a course of actions to bring HHS Web sites and content into compliance with Section 508. The Framework covers traditional Web content, including all attached or linked HHS files, and all new and social media, including videos, podcasts, blogs, Wikis, and associated applications on all HHS Web sites.

• Web Council 508 Presentation (Jan. 2008)(PPT – 711.5 KB)
• 508 Web Compliance and Remediation Framework
• OS C&R Planning Guidance
• Related correspondence
  • Initial letter outlining need for C&R Planning (PDF - 1.03 MB)
  • Framework Transmittal Letter
  • Kerry Weems memo to CMS (DOC - 37 KB)
• Compliance Tools
  • Watchfire Compliance Monitor
    An enterprise application that checks 508 accessibility for individuals with disabilities
    • Detects broken links
    • Locates spelling errors
    • Finds slow-loading pages
    • Identifies other problems that affect site usability
  • Adobe Acrobat Professional 8 (AAPro8)
    Adobe Acrobat Professional is the Department standard for creating or verifying 508-compliant PDF documents.

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  PDFs

  • Guidance
    • When and How to Use PDF Format– Overview of when to use PDF (and when NOT to use PDF), tools, compliance, assistance.
    • Making Accessible PDFs (PDF – 1.92 MB) – Step-by-step instructions for making fully compliant PDF files, from creating initial Word document to running an accessibility report.
    • Adding and Moving PDF Bookmarks (PDF – 818.61 KB) – Step-by-step instructions for adding and moving bookmarks in a PDF document.
    • Editing PDF Image Tags (PDF – 654.55 KB) – Step-by-step instructions for editing image tags in a PDF document.
  • Checklists
    • PDF File 508 Checklist (PDF – 26 KB)
    • Word Document 508 Checklist (PDF – 22.58 KB)
  • Myths & FACTS about PDF (PDF – 48.8 KB)

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  Video

  • Accessibility (Section 508) and Video/Multimedia Content
  • Guidance: Video Captioning – Overview, assistance
  • Multimedia File 508 Checklist
    (PDF - 19.02 KB)

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  Related Links

  • Section 508.gov – resources and tools to help implement Section 508
  • Accessibility of State and Local Government Websites to People with Disabilities (U.S. Department of Justice) - develop an action plan to improve accessibility of Web sites

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