How to Navigate Section 508 Compliance 2025 (Part 1): Software Checklist
The United States enforces two main accessibility laws: the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Both set out how businesses and the federal government should provide accessible services and content.
The ADA, enacted in 1990, prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Section 508, enacted later, requires that electronic and information technology (EIT) used by the federal government be accessible. This law applies directly to federal agencies and organizations receiving federal funding, but its influence extends broadly, shaping expectations for vendors, contractors, and digital businesses.
The original Section 508 Standard
The first version of the Section 508 Standard, published in 2000, included two important sections:
- §1194.21 Software applications and operating systems
- §1194.22 Web-based intranet and internet information and applications
These were largely aligned with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 1.0, offering the first structured approach to accessible design in U.S. law.
Original Section 508 Checklist
Key requirements included:
Software applications and operating systems (§1194.21) | Web-based applications (§1194.22) |
|---|---|
Keyboard accessibility for all functions | Text equivalents for all non-text elements (e.g., images, multimedia) |
Clear on-screen focus indicators for navigation | Design that does not rely solely on color to convey meaning |
Support for assistive technologies by exposing programmatic focus and element information | Logical document structure readable without style sheets |
No disruption of accessibility features built into operating systems | Identification of table headers and association with data cells |
Consistent use of icons and images throughout applications | Avoidance of server-side image maps when alternatives exist |
Restrictions on flashing/blinking content outside safe frequency ranges | Accessible scripting and plug-ins |
Accessible electronic forms for users of assistive technology | Text-only alternatives where full compliance was not possible |
This checklist remains valuable for understanding the baseline of U.S. accessibility requirements, even if many points were refined in the Revised 508 Standard.
How Clym can help
Clym’s Widget provides accessibility tools designed to reduce manual implementation work. With six preconfigured accessibility profiles and more than 25 display adjustments, businesses can support visitors who need alternatives such as high contrast, larger text, or reduced motion.
By centralizing these features into one tool, Clym helps businesses stay aligned with accessibility obligations while reducing ongoing technical overhead.
Explore Clym’s Widget. Alternatively, you can convince yourself and see Clym in action by booking a demo or reaching out to us to discuss your specific needs today.
Alex is a Content Developer at Clym, where he researches and writes about everything related to data privacy and web accessibility compliance for businesses, helping them stay informed on their compliance needs and spreading awareness about making the web safer and more inclusive. When he’s not writing about compliance, Alex has his nose in a book or is hiking in the great outdoors.
Find out more about Alex