Section 508 for SiteGround 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 SiteGround, test the site you run there and keep dated results for your ACR.
| 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 SiteGround Section 508 Checker
- Federal agencies running a site or microsite on SiteGround.
- Contractors and vendors whose SiteGround 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 SiteGround 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 SiteGround Sites Usually Fail Section 508
These problems come up again and again on SiteGround sites, and each one fails Section 508. The SiteGround accessibility checker explains how to fix them in SiteGround.
- Page builder markup. Page builders often produce deeply nested layouts and text styled to look like headings, which leaves screen reader users without a usable page structure.
- WooCommerce product and cart pages. Product galleries, quantity selectors and mini-carts are common sources of keyboard traps and unlabeled buttons.
- Plugin forms. Contact, newsletter and booking forms from plugins frequently miss field labels or fail to announce errors.
- Delayed or combined scripts. When scripts are delayed for speed, menus and dialogs can load late or lose their keyboard handling. Test them with a keyboard after changing optimization settings.
- Low-contrast theme colors. Many themes ship light gray body text and pale buttons that fail WCAG contrast.
Worried about ADA claims as well? The SiteGround ADA compliance checker covers the SiteGround risks behind most complaints.
What to Test by Hand on SiteGround
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
SiteGround Section 508 Checker: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Section 508 apply to my SiteGround site?
It applies to federal agencies and the technology they buy. A private SiteGround 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 SiteGround 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 SiteGround sites and is not legal advice. AccessBell is not affiliated with SiteGround. SiteGround and its logo are trademarks of their owners and are used only to identify the platform. See our disclaimer.
