Section 508/Accessibility Requirements

The EPA is committed to making its websites and software applications as accessible to the widest possible audience, including people with disabilities, in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d).

EPA systems/applications must comply with Agency Section 508 Policy and be tested to verify Section 508 compliance and interoperability with assistive technologies. EPA offers some Section 508/Accessibility testing services via its Working Capital Fund and Assistive Technology Center services. EPA also has many Trusted Testers on staff who may review technology for compliance.

508 compliance is now built into the agency's Risk Management Framework where testing is incorporated into pre-deployment security reviews. The federal project lead will advise development teams on their responsibilities for documenting Section 508 compliance/accessibility claims and conducting Section 508/Accessibility testing. Refer to EPA's Section 508 Acquisition Procedure, Section 508 Testing Procedure, and Section 508 Exceptions Procedure for additional information. For general information on Section 508 requirements and standards, see EPA's Section 508: Accessibility site.