Section 508 for PrestaShop 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.
A PrestaShop store is rarely a federal site, but vendors on GSA schedules or selling to agencies may be asked for an ACR covering their ordering portal. Scan the catalog, cart and checkout, and record the results for the report.
| Applies to | Federal agencies and the ICT they buy |
|---|---|
| Web standard | WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA |
| Success criteria at Level A and AA | 38 |
| In effect | January 18, 2018 (Revised Standards) |
| Automated rules in this scan | 60 |
Who Should Run the PrestaShop Section 508 Checker
- Federal agencies running a site or microsite on PrestaShop.
- Contractors and vendors whose PrestaShop 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 PrestaShop Sites
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1.1.1 Non-text Content
Every image, icon and chart needs a text alternative, or must be marked as decorative.
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1.3.1 Info and Relationships
Headings, lists, tables and form labels must be marked up so assistive technology can read the structure.
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1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)
Text needs a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1, or 3:1 for large text.
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2.1.1 Keyboard
Every function must work with a keyboard alone.
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2.4.1 Bypass Blocks
Provide a way to skip repeated navigation, such as a skip link.
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4.1.2 Name, Role, Value
Custom controls need a name, role and state that assistive technology can read.
Where PrestaShop Sites Usually Fail Section 508
These problems come up again and again on PrestaShop sites, and each one fails Section 508. The PrestaShop accessibility checker explains how to fix them in PrestaShop.
- Purchased themes that restyle focus. Many commercial themes remove the default focus outline, use thin gray text and rely on hover-only menus, which together make a store hard to use without a mouse.
- Faceted search filters. Filter blocks on category pages update the product list without telling screen reader users, and sliders and checkboxes may have no names.
- Mega menus and mobile menus. Large menus built by modules open on hover, lack keyboard support and trap focus on small screens.
- Product pages and quick view. Combination pickers, quantity fields, image sliders and quick-view dialogs often lack labels, names or focus handling.
- Checkout modules. One-page checkout and payment modules replace the standard steps, and their fields, error messages and payment frames vary a great deal from one to the next.
Worried about ADA claims as well? The PrestaShop ADA compliance checker covers the PrestaShop risks behind most complaints.
What to Test by Hand on PrestaShop
Automated testing finds many, but not all, Section 508 failures. Check these yourself after the scan:
- Test every page with a keyboard only, including menus and dialogs (2.1.1).
- Check documents and PDFs separately, since Section 508 covers them too.
- Record results per criterion if you need to complete a VPAT or ACR.
- Rescan after each fix. Continuous monitoring rescans up to 500 URLs per domain daily and keeps a dated record in the Compliance Vault.
Related Guides
PrestaShop Section 508 Checker: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Section 508 apply to my PrestaShop site?
It applies to federal agencies and the technology they buy. A private PrestaShop site is not directly covered, but vendors selling to agencies are often asked to show conformance in an Accessibility Conformance Report.
Which WCAG version does Section 508 use?
The Revised 508 Standards incorporate WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA. Meeting WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 AA also meets WCAG 2.0 AA.
Can this scan produce a VPAT for my PrestaShop site?
No. A VPAT or ACR needs a full review, including manual testing. The scan gives you automated results per criterion to start from, and AccessBell Pro keeps a dated record of them.
Sources
- Section508.gov: Official Section 508 program site (opens in a new tab)
- US Access Board: Information and Communication Technology standards (opens in a new tab)
- ITI: Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) (opens in a new tab)
This page explains general accessibility patterns for PrestaShop sites and is not legal advice. AccessBell is not affiliated with PrestaShop. PrestaShop and its logo are trademarks of their owners and are used only to identify the platform. See our disclaimer.
