Laws & Regulations

Discover How to Create Accessible PDFs

Learn how to prepare electronic files to more easily convert to accessible PDF, as well as the tools within Adobe Acrobat that help with accessibility.

Discover the 15 Steps to Web Accessibility

Learn the basics of web accessibility and understand the different ways that users experience your Web site.

Discover the Seven Steps to Accessible Email & Attachments

Learn how Section 508 applies to email, including broadcast emails and smaller group discussions, and how to ensure that the email you send is accessible to all your intended recipients. For more information on the TARGET Discovery Series and TARGET Web Connect, visit the TARGET Center Web site.

ADA.gov

Provides information on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations for businesses and state and local governments; technical assistance materials and updates on new ADA requirements.

Access Board Trainings

Information regarding trainings given to organizations across the country by the Access Board's on their accessibility guidelines and standards.

Access Board's Guidance on Web-based Intranet & Internet Information & Applications

Description of the standards federal agencies must follow when producing Web pages.

Access to Telecommunications

Information on telecommunications accessibility provisions under the Telecommunications Act.

Accessible Information Technology

Provides an overview of the current federal and state laws and policy.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Frequently Asked Questions

An overview of the ADA's requirements for ensuring equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities and transportation.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information Line

The U.S. Department of Justice provides information about the ADA through a toll-free information line (1-800-514-0301). This service permits businesses, state and local governments and others to ask questions about general or specific ADA requirements and order ADA technical assistance materials.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Mediation Program

Discusses the procedures for resolving ADA complaints through the U.S. Department of Justice Mediation Program.

Assistive Listening Systems (ALSs)

Information on the Americans with Disabilites Act Accessibility Guidelines, which require assistive listening systems in certain assembly areas such as theaters, concert and lecture halls and arenas.

Assistive Technology & the Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

Information about assistive technology and the IEP from DakotaLink, the South Dakota program for Assistive Technology, through the Division of Rehabilitation Services, Department of Human Services.

Assistive Technology Act Fact Sheet

Provides background information on the Tech Act beginning with the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act in 1988.

Assistive Technology Act of 2004: Public Law 108-364

Text of Public Law 108-364 that amends the Assistive Technology Act of 1998.

Assistive Technology Policy Checklist

Prepared for the National Assistive Technology Research Institute as a checklist for guiding the development of assistive technology policies.

Assistive Technology Rights & Regulations

Developed by the Iowa Program for Assistive Technology to describe the various federal laws that support access to assistive technology.

Assistive Technology: Legal Issues for Students with Disabilities & Their Schools

Provides a detailed and thorough analysis of federal policy, legislation and adjudication related to assistive technology for students with disabilities.

Basic Rules for Web Site Accessibility

Information provided for Web site managers as resource material to assist in meeting the U.S. Department of Commerce policy on Web site accessibility for persons with disabilities.

Closed Captioning of Video Programming

Regulations from the Federal Communications Commission regarding closed captioning of video programming.

Common Myths about Web Accessibility

A frank discussion of Section 508 (Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998) compliance from the National Weather Service.

Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Technology & Telecommunications Task Force

Task force deals with issues related to access to telecommunications and assistive technology in education, employment and independent living.

Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund

A national law and policy center dedicated to protecting and advancing civil rights of people with disabilities through legislation, litigation, advocacy, technical assistance and education of attorneys, advocates, persons with disabilities and parents.

E-Learning: Conforming to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

Simple and effective guidance that addresses the specific issues surrounding Section 508 and e-learning initiatives within the federal government and for federal employees.

Electronic & Information Technology Accessibility Standards

Final rule, published in the Federal Register, issued by the U.S. Access Board on the accessibility standards for electronic and information technology covered by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998.

Electronic & Information Technology Accessibility Standards

Final rule from the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) covering accessibility standards for electronic and information technology under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998.

Electronic & Information Technology Accessibility Standards

Final rule, published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2000.

Electronic Forms On-Line

Instructions from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Web Advisory Group on making on-line forms accessible for individuals with disabilities.

Empowering through the New Freedom Initiative

Information on New Freedom Initiative efforts from the White House Web site.

Federal Acquisition Regulations

Final Federal Acquisition Rule for implementing Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 relating to electronic and information technology accessibility for persons with disabilities.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Disability Issues Links

A list of links from the FCC Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau related to disability issues, including closed captioning, 911-TTY compatibility, telecommunication relay services and various sections of the Rehabilitation Act.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Disability Issues Web Page

Provides technical assistance to consumers, government and businesses on telecommunications access for people with sensory and other disabilities.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Enforcement Bureau

Links to telecommunications and broadcast enforcement news, including instructions on how to file complaints.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Frequently Asked Questions About Disability Issues

Answers to frequently asked questions about Telecommunications Relay Services, Closed-Captioning, Assistive Listening Devices, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and other telecommunications issues.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Handbook on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

A collection of guidelines, information and procedures to ensure that the FCC is accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Information on Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

Information from the FCC Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau on Section 508 and the FCC's role and actions.

Federal Policy Barriers to Assistive Technology

Describes the barriers in federal assistive technology policy to increasing the availability of and access to assistive technology devices and assistive technology services for people with disabilities.

Filing a Section 255 of the Communications Act Consumer Inquiry or Complaint

Information from the Federal Communications Commission on filing a complaint related to Section 255.

Guide to Disability Rights Laws

Overview of 11 federal laws and links to federal agencies to contact for more information.

National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) & the Help America Vote Act (HAVA)

Summary of the role and goals of NIST in bringing nationwide improvements in voting systems by January 2006, including accessibility for voters with disabilities.

National Resources Conservation Service: Electronic Equipment Accessibility by Employees with Disabilities

Provides policy and responsibilities for complying with federal and U.S. Department of Agriculture policies for the electronic equipment accommodation of employees with disabilities.

National Weather Service Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Web Tools Guide

Describes a core set of tools that can assist Web authors in meeting the accessibility requirement of Section 508 Amendments of 1998.

National Weather Service: Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Accessibility

Home page of the National Weather Service's Standards for Electronic and Information Technology program, which includes information on Web use by people with disabilities, trends and resources.

New Freedom Initiative

Full text of President George W. Bush's New Freedom Initiative, which addresses assistive and universal technologies, educational opportunities, homeownership, integration into the workforce, transportation options and full access to community life.

Overview of State Accessibility Laws, Policies, Standards & Other Resources Available Online

This Table provides an overview of the states that have published on-line their laws, policies, standards or guidelines, and other resources related to accessibility of websites, application development and IT procurement. [Note: Last update April 2005]

Overview of the Americans with Disabilites Act (ADA)

Information and resources on the ADA from the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth.

Protection & Advocacy Services Directory

Choose your state from the drop-down menu on this Web page to find contact information for your state protection and advocacy agency (P&A). P&As are federally mandated non-profit organizations that provide individuals with disabilities and/or mental illness free assistance in making sure their rights to education, employment opportunities and other services are not violated.

Regulations.gov

Find, review and submit comments on federal documents that are open for comment and published in the Federal Register, the Government's legal newspaper.

Section 255 of the Communications Act Fact Sheet

Information on Section 255 of the Communications Act, which requires that telecommunications manufacturers and service providers make their products and services accessible for people with disabilities.

Section 255 of the Communications Act Service Providers

List of service providers from the Federal Communications Commission.

Section 508 Electronic & Information Technology

Text of Section 508 from the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, which relates to access to electronic and information technology for people with disabilities.

Section 508 Information Technology Access from the Association of Tech Act Projects (ATAP)

Fact sheet contains questions and answers related to the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

Contains information and links on the law, as well as technical assistance resources.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Acquisition Frequently Asked Questions

Provides a consolidation of acquisition-related questions that have been posed by agencies, contractors and members of the disability community regarding Section 508.

Section508.gov

Clearinghouse of information on Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which requires federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities.

Software Applications & Operating Systems

Information on meeting the U.S. Department of Commerce policy on Web site accessibility for persons with disabilities as it concerns downloadable software "plug-ins."

Special Education Law: The Basics - Obtaining Assistive Technology Through the Public Schools

Contains information on how to obtain assistive technology from the special education system.

Statutory Language from the Telecommunications Act

Language of Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act pertaining to Access by Persons with Disabilities.

Technology & People with Disabilities

Information from the U.S. Department of Labor on technology-related assistance and federal laws regarding accessibility.

Telecommunications & Electronic & Information Technology Advisory Committee (TEITAC)

TEITAC is a federal advisory committee providing recommendations for updates of accessibility standards issued under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and guidelines under section 255 of the Telecommunications Act.

Telecommunications Act Accessibility Guidelines

Information on access to telecommunications products and services.

Testing Web Site Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities

This Best Practice process is designed to help chief information officers and U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) organizations ensure that DOC Web sites comply with the department's accessibility policy.

Testing for Web Accessibility Compliance Under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

Information from the U.S. Department of Education about testing web pages to ensure they meet Section 508 standards.

Treasury Department Office of the Procurement Executive

Information on the Treasury Department's obligations and policies under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

U.S. Department of Justice Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Home Page

Information from the U.S. Department of Justice on Section 508.

U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Accessibility Policy

Information on how the GPO intends to ensure compliance with Section 508 for its Web pages.

U.S. Postal Service & Access for Persons with Disabilities

Information on access for people with disabilities to Postal Service programs, activities, facilities and electronic and information technology.

U.S. Postal Service & Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

Information on how the U.S. Postal Service is complying with Section 508 by addressing accessibility issues for persons with disabilities.

U.S. Secret Service & Accessibility

Information on the Secret Service's commitment to providing access to their Web pages for individuals with disabilities, in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

U.S. Treasury Office of the Procurement Executive Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Questions & Answers

Developed by the Treasury Office of Procurement as internal guidance in response to questions and issues of Treasury Department employees concerning Section 508 and commercial item acquisition.

Understanding Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act & the Access Board's Standards

Information from the Access Board on Section 508, which requires federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities.

  • The White House: President George W. Bush
  • USA.gov: The U.S. government's official web portal.