● Perceivable (for instance, by addressing text alternatives for images, captions for audio, adaptability of
presentation, and color contrast)
● Operable (by addressing keyboard access, color contrast, timing of input, seizure avoidance, and
navigability)
● Understandable (by addressing readability, predictability, and input assistance)
● Robust (for instance, by addressing compatibility with assistive technologies)
Legislation and regulations
Accessibility of IT and information has become an area of increasing legislative importance. This section
provides links to information on key legislation, regulations, and standards.
● United States
● Canada
● Europe
● United Kingdom
●
Australia
● Worldwide
United States
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act species that agencies must identify which standards apply to the
procurement of ICT, perform market research to determine the availability of accessible products and
services, and document the results of their market research. The following resources provide assistance in
meeting Section 508 requirements:
● www.section508.gov
● Buy Accessible
The U.S. Access Board is currently updating the Section 508 standards. This eort will address new
technologies and other areas where the standards need to be modied. For more information, go to Section
508 Refresh.
Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act requires telecommunications products and services to be
accessible to people with disabilities. FCC rules cover all hardware and software telephone network
equipment and telecommunications equipment used in the home or oice. Such equipment includes
telephones, wireless handsets, fax machines, answering machines, and pagers. FCC rules also cover basic and
special telecommunications services, including regular telephone calls, call waiting, speed dialing, call
forwarding, computer-provided directory assistance, call monitoring, caller identication, call tracing, and
repeat dialing, as well as voice mail and interactive voice response systems that provide callers with menus of
choices. For more information, go to Federal Communication Commission Section 255 information.
21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA)
The CVAA updates federal communications law to increase the access of persons with disabilities to modern
communications, updating accessibility laws enacted in the 1980s and 1990s to include new digital,
broadband, and mobile innovations. Regulations are enforced by the FCC and documented as 47 CFR Part 14
and Part 79.
Standards and legislation 41
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