What Is Section 508?
Section 508 is a law that says all federal websites and digital tools must be accessible to people with disabilities. In 2017, the U.S. Access Board updated the rules to include new standards for websites, software, and other technology.
These rules are called:
- 508 Standards – for websites and digital tools
- 255 Guidelines – for phones and other communication devices
What We Follow at Indian Affairs
At Indian Affairs, we follow the WCAG 2.1 AA standards to make sure our websites are accessible.
We use Drupal as our content management system. Drupal is built to support accessibility. It follows the same rules from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), including:
- WCAG 2.1 – for web content
- ATAG – for tools used to create content
Why Accessibility Matters
Accessibility is a key part of good web design. It helps:
- More people use your site
- Search engines find your content
- Everyone have a better experience
And most importantly—it’s the law. All federal websites and digital tools must follow 36 CFR Part 1194, with only a few exceptions.
What You Should Know
Everyone who edits content for Indian Affairs should:
- Understand the basics of accessibility
- Know how to check for common issues
