HostGator Section 508 Checker

Section 508 for HostGator 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.

Hosting does not affect Section 508 conformance. For an agency or vendor site on HostGator, test the site you run there and keep dated results for your ACR.

Who Should Run the HostGator Section 508 Checker

• Federal agencies running a site or microsite on HostGator.
• Contractors and vendors whose HostGator 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 HostGator 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 HostGator Sites Usually Fail Section 508

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

• Contact forms. Missing labels and errors that are not announced make forms hard to complete with a screen reader.
• Social and icon links. Icon-only links without accessible names are read out as just "link".
• Embedded maps and videos. Embeds without titles, and videos without captions, leave out screen reader and deaf users.
• Image galleries. Gallery images without alt text, and lightboxes that trap keyboard focus.
• Low-contrast text. Light gray text and pale buttons from theme defaults.

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

What to Test by Hand on HostGator

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.
• Keyboard Accessibility TestingA practical guide to keyboard accessibility testing: what to check, the exact keys to use, and a component-by-component reference table mapped to WCAG.
• 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.
• Free Tools to Check Website Accessibility: 6 Best Options ComparedCompare the best free tools to check website accessibility: AccessBell, WAVE, axe DevTools, Accessibility Insights, Lighthouse and ANDI, and when to use each.
• WCAG Success Criteria LibraryLook up any criterion the scan flags, in plain language.

HostGator Section 508 Checker: Frequently Asked Questions