Accessibility Help Home | Section 508 Overview
Our commitment to Section 508 Compliance
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d) is a federal law that requires federal agencies to meet the needs of people with disabilities when they buy, build, maintain and use information and communications technology. The Section 508 Standards provide technical requirements federal agencies must meet to comply with the law.
The Social Security Administration aspires to be a leader in providing accessible information and communications technology, including content and online services provided through this website. Our comprehensive approach to Section 508 compliance ensures people with disabilities have access which is comparable to those who do not have disabilities.
- We include Section 508 standards and requirements in our procurement processes, including:
- how we conduct market research
- how we create solicitations
- how we evaluate and validate contractor Section 508 compliance claims
- how we decide to make purchase awards to contractors
- We include Section 508 standards and requirements in our development, implementation and maintenance processes.
- We design using standards based on universal design principles.
- We include people with disabilities in usability testing.
- We develop technology using accessibility coding best practices.
- We perform Section 508 compliance testing using automated tools, code reviews, and manual user testing with assistive technologies.
- We develop and provide technical guidance, tools and resources to assist with Section 508 compliance throughout the agency.
- We provide training to employees on the Section 508 standards, and how to develop and buy accessible technology.
- We conduct communications and awareness initiatives throughout the agency.
Contact us if you have a Section 508 question.
Resources and Best Practices
The Social Security Administration provides technical resources to provide guidance for developing accessible electronic content and online services, and for contractors who want to sell accessible information and communications technologies to the agency:
Resources for Developers and Document Authors
Resources for Contractors
The Social Security Administration also actively contributes its expertise, technical guidance, and best practices to other agencies through our participation in the U.S. Federal CIO Council Accessibility Committee.
Laws and Regulations
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d)
Section 508 Standards
Section 508 Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)
Other Relevant Laws
Links to third party websites
Some pages on this website may contain links to third party sites not operated by the Social Security Administration. These sites may not adhere to the Section 508 standards. The Social Security Administration is not responsible for the content and accessibility of those sites, their partners, or advertisers.
Notice of Rights
If you believe that the information and communications technology used by the Social Security Administration does not comply with the Section 508 law, you may file a complaint or have a representative file a complaint on your behalf.
Additional Information
Requesting Assistance
General Assistance
By calling 1-800-772-1213, you can use our automated telephone services to get recorded information and conduct some business 24 hours a day. If you cannot handle your business through our automated services, you can speak to a Social Security representative between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Generally, you'll have a shorter wait time if you call during the week after Tuesday. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call our toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. See Automated Services for more details.
Web Accessibility Problems
Please report website accessibility problems to the Social Security webmaster, webmaster@ssa.gov. In your message, include the website address or URL and the specific problems you have encountered.
