Overview:
Section 504 is a civil rights law enacted in 1973 that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance (such as public schools, colleges, libraries, and government-funded programs).
Key Requirements:
Organizations must ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to services and programs.
Institutions must provide reasonable accommodations to enable participation without fundamentally altering the nature of a program.
Implications for Organizations:
If your organization receives any federal funding (e.g., Title I funds for schools, Pell Grants for colleges), you must:
Create and implement accommodation plans.
Ensure digital content (websites, online courses) is accessible.
Provide physical and programmatic access.
Examples of Common Section 504 Accommodations:
Extended time on tests and assignments.
Provision of auxiliary aids (e.g., sign language interpreters, screen readers).
Accessible classroom materials (Braille, large print, electronic formats).
Modified equipment (e.g., adjustable desks, specialized keyboards).
Flexible learning methods (oral instead of written exams, recorded lectures).
Overview:
Section 508, amended in 1998, specifically requires that federal agencies and those contracting with federal agencies must ensure that their electronic and information technology (EIT) is accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Key Requirements:
Websites, software, PDFs, online forms, learning platforms, and videos must meet technical accessibility standards.
Organizations must comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.
Implications for Organizations:
If you work for, with, or receive funds from a federal agency, your digital resources must be accessible.
Accessibility must be built into procurement, development, and maintenance processes for all electronic systems.
Practical Guidance for EIT Compliance:
Design websites and documents that are keyboard-navigable.
Provide text alternatives (alt text) for images and graphics.
Caption all video and audio content.
Use accessible file formats (tagged PDFs, accessible Word/PowerPoint files).
Test online platforms with screen readers and color contrast tools.
Explore this resource explaining Section 504 and Section 508: What is Section 504 and how does it relate to Section 508?
Relationship to ADA:
ADA: Civil rights law banning disability discrimination in public life.
504: Focuses on accommodations in education and services.
508: Focuses on digital accessibility. Together, these laws ensure digital equity and legal compliance.
How These Laws Work Together:
ADA ensures broad civil rights protections across society.
Section 504 applies specifically to institutions receiving federal money — protecting educational, programmatic, and service access.
Section 508 focuses specifically on digital accessibility for federal agencies and contractors, reinforcing modern civil rights protections in technology.
Together, these laws create a multi-layered safety net to ensure that individuals with disabilities are not excluded from education, employment, government services, or online environments.
The video above overviews the difference between Section 508 and Section 504 compliance for website accessibility.