Section 508-compliance certification refers to the assessment of how accessible an information and communication technology (ICT) product or service is based on the Revised Section 508 Standards. The assessment consists of describing the various Section 508 accessibility standards and demonstrating how a manufacturer's or vendor's ICT product or service complies with them.

508 Certification Explained: How to Make Your Website Accessible to All

Section 508-compliance certification refers to the assessment of how accessible an information and communication technology (ICT) product or service is based on the Revised Section 508 Standards. The assessment consists of describing the various Section 508 accessibility standards and demonstrating how a manufacturer's or vendor's ICT product or service complies with them. While Section 508 certification makes websites more accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, there is no authoritative body that offers 

There are specific Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) that must be observed in order to make your website accessible to everyone. The following are just a few of the crucial elements that will enable your website to comply with Section 508 accessibility standards and be used by everyone:

Navigation and accessibility using the keyboard

For a website to be certified as complying with Section 508, its keyboard accessibility and navigation must be ensured. This recognizes that users who use screen readers or have a variety of motor limitations rely significantly on keyboard-only visual cues. Users who use assistive technology can engage with your website by utilizing the keyboard to navigate and access it.

Using alternate (ALT) text for photos is another way to make your website accessible to everyone. The term "ALT text" refers to a description of what is seen in the website image.

Because screen readers can readily read the ALT text and help individuals with visual disabilities understand what the picture is about, ALT text makes a website accessible to all users. The images that viewers cannot see on the page are given some context by the ALT text.

The ALT description needs to be precise, evocative, and useful in order to be in accordance with Section 508 and to be accessible. The link destination must also be indicated in the ALT text if any links have been added to the image, so that when the user clicks on the image, a new webpage is launched.

Transcripts or captions for videos and audio

The main purpose of transcripts and captions is to provide textual representations of spoken audio and video content. Unlike captions, which typically appear in tandem with spoken words on the video, a transcript is a textual representation of the content that is delivered in a separate document.

Making a website accessible to everyone also entails making sure that screen readers can be used to access the website's content. Screen readers simply translate digital text into synthesized speech, making Internet material more accessible to those who are blind or have cognitive or learning problems.

 and accessible to all users, alternative descriptions must be added to any embedded videos. This allows screen readers to quickly describe movies to individuals with visual disabilities. This is similar to ALT text for images.

You must not impose any time restrictions on your website in order for it to be usable by everyone. That's because some users could require extra time to complete a certain action, but it might be difficult for them to finish other activities within a deadline.

Color and contrast may pose special difficulties for individuals with visual impairments. In order to address color-based accessibility difficulties and make your website accessible to these visitors, you might want to include color-coded fields, labels, or icons.

Avoidance of flickering objects on the screen

A website that is accessible to all users must be designed in a way that takes cognizance of the fact that specific color combinations and screen flickering may cause seizures in some users. Therefore, you should create your website so that it doesn't cause the screen to flicker at a frequency that is indicated as being higher than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz.

Need assistance with making your website accessible to all?

It can be difficult to develop a website that complies with Section 508 certification and allows all users to access it because a sizeable portion of online users have various types of disabilities. For this reason, you need help from professionals like ADACP, who have a lot of expertise in making websites Section 508 compliant. Call them at (626) 486-2201 to arrange a free consultation or to get a quick Section 508 accessible website quote.

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