How Has Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Helped Disability Students?

The United States Rehabilitation Act was passed in 1973, prohibiting discrimination in the receipt of Federal assistance because of disability. The standards used are the same as those implemented under the Americans with Disabilities Act years later. First passed by the U.S. Congress in 1986, Section 508 was one of the amendments to help those with disabilities have new opportunities by receiving the technology they need to succeed.

History

• Although the Section 508 amendment was initially passed in 1986, Congress addressed shortcomings to the amendment in 1997 and made revisions. Congress addressed these shortcomings in 1997 because new technologies existed at that time and because there were problems with enforcement of the act. Today, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act addresses not only what technical requirements should be met, but also examines legal compliance to meet the government standards. This provides people with disabilities with the opportunity to take legal action should they be refused access to technology because of their disability.

Technical Requirements

• Technical standards in the Section 508 amendment focus on standards of technology that school districts, colleges, and universities provide to students with disabilities. For instance, software applications and operating systems need to be usable by individuals with visual impairments. Internet and computer applications must remain accessible for the visually impaired by the provision of screen readers and Braille displays. Telecommunications products and technology, such as hearing aids, assisted living devices, and video or multi-media with captioning, should be provided by schools to help individuals with hearing impairments and other disabilities.

Limitation

• The drawback to the Section 508 amendment is that although it addresses accessibility, it does not ensure practical usability because it is not a mandate by the federal government. This puts students at risk for having schools present technology and software, or make it available to them, without giving them the opportunity to master the technology and learn how to use it. Although Section 508 has helped students gain access to software to help them learn, and even gives them the advantage of one-on-one assistance, it does not always guarantee usability or adaptability to the needs of an individual student.

Benefits for Students

• A benefit to students from Section 508 is that educational institutions now often focus on being committed to the Rehabilitation Act and aim to make technology and educational content available to all. Many schools are developing new programs to deliver courses in ways that ensure they remain compliant with Section 508. Some schools also offer a technical help desk to help train students in using assistive technology. If problems for students persist, course designers and teachers can make modifications to course content to ensure accessibility.