Duda Section 508 Checker

Section 508 for Duda Sites

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires federal agencies to make the information and communication technology they develop, buy, maintain or use accessible. The Revised 508 Standards, in effect since January 2018, incorporate WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA for web content, electronic documents and software.

Private businesses are not directly covered, but agencies must buy accessible technology, so vendors are often asked for an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) based on the VPAT. This checker runs the scan with the WCAG 2.0 AA preset that Section 508 uses.

If a federal program or contractor runs a site on Duda, the builder’s templates and widgets must meet WCAG 2.0 AA. Check that you can edit the parts that fail; if you cannot, document them in your ACR.

Who Should Run the Duda Section 508 Checker

• Federal agencies running a site or microsite on Duda.
• Contractors and vendors whose Duda site or portal is part of a federal contract.
• Agencies and vendors preparing a VPAT or Accessibility Conformance Report.
• State bodies and universities whose policies adopt Section 508.

Section 508 Checks That Matter for Duda Sites

• 1.1.1 Non-text Content

  Every image, icon and chart needs a text alternative, or must be marked as decorative.

• 1.3.1 Info and Relationships

  Headings, lists, tables and form labels must be marked up so assistive technology can read the structure.

• 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)

  Text needs a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1, or 3:1 for large text.

• 2.1.1 Keyboard

  Every function must work with a keyboard alone.

• 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks

  Provide a way to skip repeated navigation, such as a skip link.

• 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value

  Custom controls need a name, role and state that assistive technology can read.

Where Duda Sites Usually Fail Section 508

These problems come up again and again on Duda sites, and each one fails Section 508. The Duda accessibility checker explains how to fix them in Duda.

• Image and gallery alt text. Photo galleries, sliders and background-style image sections are often filled with bulk uploads that have no description, or an AI-written one that was never checked.
• Text contrast over images. Headlines over photos and gradient hero sections look good on desktop but can fall below the contrast minimum on some images or screen sizes.
• Different desktop and mobile layouts. Elements hidden for one device but present in the page can be read by screen readers on the other, and reordering blocks can change the reading order.
• Form widget fields. Forms styled with placeholder text and hidden labels, plus error and success messages that appear without being announced.
• Sliders and animated effects. Auto-advancing sliders and scroll effects need a way to pause and should respect the visitor’s reduced-motion setting.

Worried about ADA claims as well? The Duda ADA compliance checker covers the Duda risks behind most complaints.

What to Test by Hand on Duda

Automated testing finds many, but not all, Section 508 failures. Check these yourself after the scan:

1. Test every page with a keyboard only, including menus and dialogs (2.1.1).
2. Check documents and PDFs separately, since Section 508 covers them too.
3. Record results per criterion if you need to complete a VPAT or ACR.
4. Rescan after each fix. Continuous monitoring rescans up to 500 URLs per domain daily and keeps a dated record in the Compliance Vault.

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Related Guides

• Section 508 CheckerThe Section 508 standard in full, for any website.
• WCAG 1.1.1 Non-text Content Explained in Plain EnglishWCAG 1.1.1 Non-text Content explained simply: how to write alt text for every kind of image, icon, chart and CAPTCHA, with code examples and a test routine.
• WCAG 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) Explained in Plain EnglishWCAG 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) explained simply: the 4.5:1 and 3:1 ratios, what counts as large text, the exceptions, fixes and how to test your colors.
• WCAG 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide Explained in Plain EnglishWCAG 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide explained simply: what moving and auto-updating content needs, the 5-second rule, carousel fixes and how to test your pages.
• WCAG Success Criteria LibraryLook up any criterion the scan flags, in plain language.

Duda Section 508 Checker: Frequently Asked Questions