Section 508 Compliance

Section 508 Compliance, also refered to as Web Accessiblity, is a win-win solution for Website visitors, companies and organizations whose sites adhere to these standards. By developing a Website that is Section 508 Compliant you allow those with disabilities to use assistive technologies (i.e. text readers) when visiting your site, increase your overall ranking in major search engines such as Yahoo and Google, and improve your site's usability by making it easier for all Website visitors to navigate.

Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act in 1998 requiring Federal agencies to make their Websites accessible to people with disabilities. Section 508 was enacted to remove online barriers and encourage opportunities for people with disabilities. This has fostered technologies that focus on achieving these goals. The law applies to all Federal agencies who use electronic and information technology. For details please visit Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

The Blue Water Media web design team has both classroom knowledge of Web Accessiblity and practical knowledge of its implementation. As a matter of practice, the Blue Water Media team uses Web development tools that adhere to these standards. As a result, most Blue Water Media sites meet Section 508 Compliance guidelines before they are even tested. This is very important since no tool yet exists to universally verify a website's Section 508 or Web Content Accessibility compliance. Contact us today for your free consultation - Blue Water Media will provide expert analysis of your Website and explain in simple terms what needs to be done to meet section 508 guidelines.