About Section 508

What is Section 508?

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires that information and communication technology (ICT) developed, procured, maintained, or used by Federal agencies be accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. The NIH Section 508 Program plays a critical role in upholding this mandate by guiding, supporting, and promoting practices that ensure NIH digital information, tools, and technologies are fully usable by all individuals, regardless of ability.

Why Accessibility Matters

Accessibility is more than a legal requirement; it is essential to the mission of NIH. As the number of individuals with disabilities grows due to aging, medical advancements, and improved survival rates, ensuring access to information and communication technology (ICT) remains critical.
Section 508 removes barriers to technology and helps NIH attract and retain a highly skilled workforce, serve patients' needs, support employees across Institutes and Centers, and engage the broader public, including those seeking and contributing to research related to disabilities. By meeting these requirements, NIH fulfills its legal responsibilities and ensures all users can access and benefit from our digital resources.

Bridging Technology and Access

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) refers to any equipment, system, or service used to create, convert, duplicate, process, store, display, manage, transmit, receive, or access information and data. ICT includes, but is not limited to, computers, websites, software applications, video and multimedia content, telecommunications equipment, mobile devices, and electronic documents. Examples include computers, websites, software, videos, mobile applications, and electronic documents. These technologies are crucial to federal operations, enabling seamless connections between employees and the public to essential services and information.
Many individuals with disabilities rely on assistive technologies such as screen readers, magnifiers, alternative input devices, and speech recognition software to interact with digital content. Digital accessibility means ensuring that these tools can work seamlessly with ICT. Section 508 serves as the bridge between assistive technologies and the electronic information and systems that federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, and use. It ensures that everyone can access and effectively use federal digital resources regardless of ability.

Section 508 Technical Standards 

The Section 508 Technical Standards were revised in 2017 and are organized into seven key chapters focusing on various aspects of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) accessibility. These Standards work as a bridge allowing access to the technology we use and create towards people with disabilities and those using Assistive Technologies. Below are these chapters with hyperlinks for more in-depth information:

• Chapter 1: Application and Administration - Provides the scope, purpose, and application of the Section 508 standards.
• Chapter 2: Scoping Requirements outlines what ICT is covered under the new standards. It references the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines for Electronic Content (web, software, documents) and defines Agency Official Communications.
• Chapter 3: Functional Performance Criteria—This chapter specifies the functional performance criteria as the minimum requirements necessary for accessibility when no other standards apply.
• Chapter 4: Hardware - Focuses on the hardware-specific aspects of ICT accessibility.
• Chapter 5: Software - Addresses the software-specific requirements for accessibility.
• Chapter 6: Support Documentation and Services - Discusses the accessibility of support documentation and services.

NIH Section 508 Team

The NIH Section 508 Team works together to meet federal accessibility requirements and ensure all digital information and communication technology at NIH complies with Section 508 requirements.

• Section 508 Program Manager - Antonio Haileselassie
  The Program Manager, located within the NIH Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), leads NIH-wide Section 508 strategy, provides technical guidance, oversees compliance activities, and supports NIH staff in meeting Section 508 requirements.
• IC Section 508 Coordinators
  Each NIH Institute and Center designates a Section 508 Coordinator who ensures accessibility compliance within their IC, promotes accessible practices, and serves as a liaison to the NIH Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO). [View the full list of NIH Section 508 Coordinators] (insert link).
• NIH Section 508 Advisory Group
  This group includes stakeholders in acquisitions, EEO, HR, IT, and communications. The Advisory Group provides input, shares the best practices, and supports the NIH-wide implementation of Section 508 standards.