Web Accessibility Laws in General

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (1998 Amendment)

In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. Inaccessible technology interferes with an individual's ability to obtain and use information quickly and easily. Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities, and to 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 agencies must give disabled employees and members of the public access to information that is comparable to the access available to others.

Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications (1194.22)

The criteria for web-based technology and information are based on access guidelines developed by the Web Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium. Many of these provisions ensure access for people with vision impairments who rely on various assistive products to access computer-based information, such as screen readers, which translate what's on a computer screen into automated audible output, and refreshable Braille displays. Certain conventions, such as verbal tags or identification of graphics and format devices, like frames, are necessary so that these devices can "read" them for the user in a sensible way. The standards do not prohibit the use of web site graphics or animation. Instead, the standards aim to ensure that such information is also available in an accessible format. Generally, this means use of text labels or descriptors for graphics and certain format elements. (HTML code already provides an "Alt Text" tag for graphics which can serve as a verbal descriptor for graphics). This section also addresses the usability of multimedia presentations, image maps, style sheets, scripting languages, applets and plug-ins, and electronic forms.

The standards apply to Federal web sites but not to private sector web sites (unless a site is provided under contract to a Federal agency, in which case only that web site or portion covered by the contract would have to comply). Accessible sites offer significant advantages that go beyond access. For example, those with "text-only" options provide a faster downloading alternative and can facilitate transmission of web-based data to cell phones and personal digital assistants.
For more information: http://www.section508.gov/

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 1990

On September 9, 1996, the U.S. Dept. of Justice issued a policy ruling applying the ADA to the Internet:

“Covered entities under the ADA are required to provide effective communication, regardless of whether they generally communicate through print media, audio media, or computerized media such as the Internet. Covered entities that use the Internet for communications regarding their programs, goods, or services must be prepared to offer those communications through accessible means as well.” (http://www.alistapart.com/stories/politics/)

There have been numerous ADA accessible web complaints that have been filed both administratively and in court. Many of these cases have settled privately, some publicly.

For more information: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act, 1996

Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires that telecommunications service providers and equipment manufacturers make their services and equipment accessible to persons with disabilities, to the extent that it is readily achievable to do so. The Federal Communications Commission is responsible for the overall implementation and enforcement of access requirements for both telecommunications services and equipment. As boundaries blur between the Internet and telecommunications, web designers must be aware of Section 255 stipulations. Interactive voice response (IVR) features on web sites, for example, must meet accessibility requirements.

The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) issued final guidelines for accessibility, usability and compatibility of telecommunications equipment and customer premises equipment covered by Section 255 of the Telecommunication Act of 1996.
For more information: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/section255.html