Technology Access/Accommodations

Section 508 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) set forth guidelines for providing alternative means of access to technology.

Should you have any questions or technology access/accommodation needs, please contact ODS at (404) 727-9877 [voice] or (404) 712-2049 [TDD].

What is Section 508?

Section 508 - Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards was established through Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) of the U.S. Federal Government. The scope of Section 508 is limited to the Federal sector. It does not apply to the private sector, nor does it generally impose requirements on the recipients of Federal funds. However, states receiving assistance under the Assistive Technology Act (AT Act) State Grant program are required to comply with Section 508 according to the Department of Education, which administers the AT Act.

The Section 508 Standards define the types of technology provided and set forth provisions that establish a minimum level of accessibility within four subparts:

• A: General (defines terms, exemptions)
• B: Technical Standards (application criteria specific to various types of technology )
• C: Functional Performance Criteria (overall product evaluation and for technology not specifically covered in Subpart B )
• D: Information, Documentation, and Support (addresses access of materials provided to end users)

Within Section 508 Subpart B (Technical Standards), the provisions for Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications (1194.22) are specifically addressed in paragraphs (a) through (p). These sixteen provisions, which were based on the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, must all be followed for a website to be in compliance with the Section 508 Standards.