The information and resources on this page will help you to understand what Section 508 is and how important it is for businesses to make their website and e-documents accessible.

There are a number of benefits to having an accessible website which have a direct commercial impact, either by enabling a potential increase in business or by cutting costs for your business.

  • Broaden the reach of audience that can use the site
  • Increase traffic to the Web site
  • Expand potential market share
  • Increase search ranking potential
  • Improve the site and increase usability for all visitors
  • Generate positive PR and brand awareness
  • Demonstrate a commitment and care for people with disabilities
  • Comply with legislation to reduce legal liabilities
  • Protect the brand
  • Standardize Web design, build and maintenance
  • Cut overall production costs
 

What is Section 508?

[In] 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities. Inaccessible technology interferes with an ability to obtain and use information quickly and easily. Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, open new opportunities for people with disabilities, and encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals. The law applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. Under Section 508 (29 U.S.C. ‘794 d), agencies must give disabled employees and members of the public access to information that is comparable to access available to others.

(Source:  Section508.gov)

All agencies, businesses and organizations who receive any type of federal funding must comply with Section 508 compliance standards.

 

Donate To Receive
WeCo Training Courses
Customized training designed for decision makers, supervisors, web designers,
sales, customer service and marketing staff.
($5,000 value for $3,500)

“Understand Accessibility” – Access and the Law, Accessibility Standards and Measures and Assistive Technology and the Web.

“Ensuring Access: Best Practices for Accessible Web/Software Design” – Common pitfalls found in inaccessible design, best practices and testing methods are reviewed.

Click on this link to see how your donation will help:

WeCo: Help Create Jobs and Improve Web Access for People With Disabilities
Support WeCo’s efforts to provide jobs and improve web access for people with disabilities.
Donate $3,5000 and receive an Accessibility Training Course ($5,000 value)

 

Develop a Customized Business Case for Web Accessibility

Disabled Woman Executive

Disabled Woman Executive Shaking Hands with Clients

Contents:

Case Studies of Accessibility Improvements

  • Legal & General Group – doubled visitor numbers, cut maintenance costs by two thirds, increased natural search traffic by 50%. Read the Legal & General case study. (2007, UK)
  • Tesco – £35 thousand GBP to build website, £13 million GBP per year in resultant revenue. Read the Tesco case study. (2004, UK)
  • CNET – 30% increase in traffic from Google after CNET started providing transcripts (reported AST(.ppt)). We saw a significant increase in SEO referrals when we launched an HTML version of our site, the major component of which was our transcripts. – Justin Eckhouse, CNET, 2009.

Statistics on People with Disabilities and Web Use

Hire Disabled Employees

Hire Disabled Employees

Number of People Affected (statistics)  Important information on statistics.
The Market for Accessible Technology - Example: Among US computer users in 2003 ranging from 18 to 64, 57% (74.2 million) are likely to directly or indirectly benefit from the use of accessible technology due to difficulties and impairments that may impact computer use.
Industry sector case studies: ecommerce -  Example: 71% of people with disabilities in the UK use the Web to find information on goods and services.
Web Accessibility for Older Users Presentation and Web Accessibility for Older Users: A Literature Review -  Example: number of people over 65 is increasing rapidly; in 2020 it is expected to be nearly 30% in Japan, 20% in Europe, and 16% in U.S.

 

Donate to Receive
Founder Speaking Services
($3,500 value for $2,000)

Lynn Wehrman, a woman executive who is disabled, is a skilled and experienced public speaker. Lynn founded WeCo, a business who hires disabled individuals to test for website accessibility, and has built it from the ground up. Without financial assistance, except from her husband, Wehrman has hired 23 testers and is bringing this start-up business into the public eye. A good choice for your keynote speaker at your next meeting or event.

Click on this link to see how your donation will help:

WeCo: Help Create Jobs and Improve Web Access for People With Disabilities

Support WeCo’s efforts to provide jobs and improve web access for people with disabilities.
Donate $2,000 and receive the Founder Speaking Service  ($3,500 value).

 

Accessibility Improves Search Engine Optimization

Example for ROI calculations

Cautionary Tales of Inaccessibility

When organizations do not make their websites accessible, they risk legal action and negative publicity, as the

Businessman, who is in a wheelchair, During a Meeting

Businessman, who is in a wheelchair, During a Meeting

case studies below illustrate.

  • Target Corporation – settlement for damages of $6 million USD and attorney’s fees and costs over $3.7 million after lawsuit by US National Federation of the Blind (NFB). Read the Target case study. (2008, USA)
  • Sydney Olympic Games – required to pay $20,000 AUD in damages due to poor accessibility. Read the Sydney Olympics case study. (2000, Australia)
  • Amex – “Bank upgrade is excluding blind. Visually impaired customers of American Express say they can no longer read their credit card statements online.” – headlines after making its statements less accessible in a format change. [BBC News ] (2008, UK)
 

Donate To Receive
Standard Accessibility Testing Services
($5,000 value for $4,500)

Have your website or software product tested for access by
eight Certified Test Consultants living with disabilities.

Click on this link to see how your donation will help:

WeCo: Help Create Jobs and Improve Web Access for People With Disabilities

Support WeCo’s efforts to provide jobs and improve web accessfor people with disabilities.
Donate $4,500 and receive the Standard Accessibility Training Service  ($5,000 value).

 

Promoting Accessibility

Tips, guidance, and case studies on Promoting web accessibility.