Section 508 Compliance: Choosing Tools for Web Accessibility Testing

What is Section 508 Compliance?

Section 508 compliance refers to meeting accessibility standards set by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. These rules require federal agencies, their contractors, and any organization receiving federal funding to make digital content, such as websites, software, electronic documents, e-portals, and other digital content, accessible to people with disabilities. 

In 1998, Congress added new language to the Rehabilitation Act, requiring federal agencies to provide accessible digital resources. In 2017, the Act was modified again to establish clear technical standards. These new standards require organizations to align with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to ensure everyone has equal access to digital information and technology.

If my company works with the federal government, do we need to be Section 508 compliant? 

Yes. If your company designs, develops, or provides digital products or services for a federal agency, you must meet Section 508 accessibility requirements. This includes contractors, vendors, and organizations that receive federal funding. Compliance ensures that any technology or digital content you deliver is accessible to people with disabilities and aligns with WCAG standards. 

The Government Services Administration (GSA) publishes guidance for federal agencies, including a lengthy guide for defining Section 508 accessibility criteria in contracts. That document warns agencies to carefully assess the risk of implementing inaccessible information technology items. If your organization isn’t Section 508 compliant, you may miss out on business or revenue opportunities. Not to mention your legal risk skyrockets. 

To reduce these risks and ensure your digital content is truly accessible, you need accessibility testing tools.

A series of icons representing different assistive technologies

Why Testing Tools are Essential 

While automated tools can catch many common issues, they can’t identify everything. Automated tools are ideal for catching “simple” issues like:

• Low-contrast text, which may make text unreadable for people with color blindness, low vision, or other visual impairments.

• Missing image alternative text (also called alt text), which describes the image and its purpose for people who cannot perceive visual content.

• Missing captions and transcripts for videos which makes multimedia less useful for users who are deaf or hard of hearing.

• Keyboard accessibility issues, which may impact users who use a keyboard (without a mouse) to browse the internet.

However, some barriers, like unclear navigation, missing form labels, or poor keyboard support, require hands-on testing and human judgment. These barriers can only be fully identified by testing with assistive technologies such as screen readers, manually checking keyboard navigation, or working with accessibility experts.

Combining automated scans with expert audits provides a more comprehensive view of your content’s accessibility, enabling your organization to meet Section 508 standards and ensure a digital experience that works for everyone.

Section 508 Testing Tools

While automated testing tools play a key role in achieving Section 508 compliance, not all tools offer the same level of accuracy or insight. The right solution can make accessibility testing faster, more reliable, and easier to manage. 

Below are some of the top tools available to help organizations meet Section 508 standards.

1. AudioEye

AudioEye combines industry-leading automation with human-assisted AI technology to help you easily meet Section 508 requirements and additional accessibility standards. Our platform continuously scans digital content for accessibility issues, applies automatic fixes for common problems, and monitors for new barriers in real-time. 

AudioEye also goes a step further, with accessibility experts and members of the disability community auditing digital content for more complex issues and providing recommendations on how to fix them.

2. ANDI

ANDI (Accessible Name & Description Inspector) is a free, open-source tool from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Accessible Systems and Technology (OAST). The tool is designed to help federal agencies and contractors meet accessibility requirements, including those outlined in Section 508. 

As a lightweight bookmarklet, ANDI automatically detects accessibility issues, highlights all focusable and interactive elements, and shows how screen readers interpret them. It also displays the underlying HTML that impacts accessibility and provides a detailed page analysis to help guide fixes and improve overall conformance with accessibility standards.

3. axe DevTools 

Deque offers a suite of accessibility tools designed to help users identify and fix issues early in the development process. axe DevTools integrates seamlessly into coding workflows, flagging issues in real time, whether through the browser extension, command line interface, or continuous integration pipelines. 

For developers, they can test directly in their browsers, receive instant alerts from the axe DevTools Linter, and automate accessibility checks using Deque’s APIs. This makes it easier for developers to test against accessibility requirements, including Section 508, before digital content hits users. 

4. Google Lighthouse

Google Lighthouse is an open-source, automated tool that helps organizations evaluate and improve webpages for compliance with key requirements, including Section 508 accessibility standards. It provides an accessibility score based on automated audits, user impact assessments, and manual checks, highlighting areas where WCAG or 508 standards are not met. Lighthouse also reviews more complex accessibility factors, such as ARIA roles, tab order, and focus management, presenting the results in an easy-to-read format that guides accessibility fixes. 

5. WAVE

WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool) is a suite of tools designed to help organizations test and improve digital content for Section 508 compliance. Users can evaluate accessibility directly in Chrome, Firefox, or Edge using WAVE’s browser extensions, while the stand-alone API and testing engine allow for full-site scans. The platform analyzes webpages, generates detailed accessibility reports, and combines automated results with human evaluation to give a full view of accessibility performance.

A list of different testing methodologies: automated testing, manual testing, and ongoing monitoring.

How to Choose Testing Tools for Section 508 Compliance

When choosing tools for Section 508 compliance, focus on ones that combine automated scanning with the ability to perform expert audits, since automation can miss key issues. Look for tools that fit your workflow — whether for web pages, PDFs, or apps — and provide clear, actionable reports. The right combination ensures you catch barriers early and maintain ongoing accessibility.

Let’s take a deeper look at how to choose the best tool for Section 508 compliance testing.

Ensure Your Testing Tool Uses the Latest Version of WCAG

While Section 508 requires conformance with WCAG 2.0, the current version of the guidelines is WCAG 2.1. Ensure your testing tool is testing against these standards, as this will ensure your content is Section 508 compliant and as accessible for as many people as possible. Additionally, this can help reduce the time spent on accessibility fixes over time.

Use Tools to Identify and Fix Accessibility Issues

Choose tools that not only identify accessibility issues but also provide actionable guidance for fixing them — or fix them directly. The best Section 508 compliance tools highlight problems that can be quickly resolved and flag areas that need manual review, helping you stay on track to meet compliance goals efficiently. 

For example, AudioEye’s Digital Accessibility Platform uses automation to find and fix common accessibility issues while our team of experts and members of the disability community further audit your content for more complex issues. By combining automation with expert audits, you can more easily meet Section 508 requirements. 

Choose Tools that Support Reporting and Transparency

Look for Section 508 testing tools that generate clear, actionable reports and track your compliance standing over time. These tools not only help you identify known issues but also flag new issues as they arise. Reports can then be shared throughout your organization, keeping everyone informed about the current accessibility status of your content.

Best Practices for Section 508 Compliance Testing

Choosing the right Section 508 testing tools is just the first step. To get the most out of your tools and ensure true accessibility, follow these best practices:

• Combine automated and expert testing: Automated tools can quickly catch common issues, but expert audits help uncover more complex accessibility barriers that tools alone may miss. Be sure to use both approaches to find and fix more accessibility issues. 

• Keep tools and scans up to date: Accessibility standards and web technologies are constantly evolving. Regularly update your tools and approach to ensure your testing catches the latest compliance risks.

• Include users with disabilities: Real-world testing with assistive technology users validates that your website or app works for the people who rely on it most. Regularly involve the disability community in your testing process to enhance the accessibility of your content.

• Document your process: Clear records of testing, findings, and fixes help demonstrate compliance and simplify audits. 

• Focus on actionable results: The best Section 508 testing tools provide guidance for fixing issues, not just identifying them, helping you improve accessibility efficiently. 

Following these best practices ensures your Section 508 testing efforts are thorough, reliable, and easier to manage — whether you’re auditing a single page or an entire digital platform.

Web browser reading 'Is your website compliant with Section 508?' with a URL address bar below.

How AudioEye Helps You Achieve Section 508 Compliance

Meeting Section 508 standards requires more than just automated scans. While tools can quickly detect common accessibility barriers, some issues — like descriptive alt text, logical navigation, or complex form labeling — require human judgment. The most effective approach combines automation with expert testing to ensure your digital content is truly accessible.

AudioEye provides this complete solution with our three-pronged approach, combining powerful automation with human-assisted AI technology. Our platform not only finds and fixes common accessibility issues in real time, but our team of accessibility experts also audits your content for more complex barriers, provides actionable recommendations for fixes, and provides detailed compliance reports to keep your team informed. 

With AudioEye, your organization can confidently meet Section 508 requirements, minimize legal risk, and create digital experiences that are accessible and inclusive for everyone. Get started with a free accessibility scan using AudioEye’s Website Accessibility Checker.