General Services Administration Flags Accessibility Issues in Federal Websites

The General Services Administration has determined that federal website compliance with a 1998 digital accessibility rule falls “well below expectations.”

Congress has received a report indicating that less than 30 percent of commonly visited federal online content fully met the requirements of the Rehabilitation Act’s Section 508, while over 75 percent of respondent agencies scored average or lower, FedScoop reported.

GSA found through regular automated testing that many federal websites suffer from at least one accessibility issue. According to the report, titled “Governmentwide Section 508 Assessment,” the government is falling short of its legal obligation to provide equal access to the public and employees with disabilities.

The 2023 appropriations law required the agency to prepare the report.

GSA recommended that federal organizations undergo Section 508 training and expand oversight and advised Congress to update definitions in Section 508 and look into proactive enforcement of the law.

Before GSA published its report, the Environmental Protection Agency told the media that 93 percent of its websites are compliant with Section 508.

In April, GSA instituted changes to USA .gov to streamline the delivery of online services to the public.