Digital 508 Compliance: Accessibility Beyond the Physical World

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Accessibility has always been at the heart of BAC’s mission. For decades, we’ve focused on ensuring our programs, facilities, and employment opportunities are fully accessible to individuals of all abilities. But in today’s increasingly digital world, accessibility must go beyond physical space, it must extend into the digital realm.

As organizations continue to expand their online presence, digital accessibility has become not just an ethical responsibility, but a legal requirement under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which mandates that all electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government be accessible to people with disabilities.

At BAC, digital inclusion is a natural extension of our core values, ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, has equal access to information, opportunities, and engagement.

Under the leadership of Keri Goff, PMP, Director of Community Relations, BAC has made significant strides in digital accessibility. Keri earned her Section 508 Compliance Certification through the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), ensuring that BAC’s digital communications meet the same rigorous accessibility standards expected of federal contractors and partners.

Through her efforts, BAC has partnered with AccessiBe, an industry leader in web accessibility technology. This partnership has enabled BAC to maintain 100% compliance on our website, ensuring that all users, including those with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive disabilities, can navigate and engage with our digital content seamlessly.

“When I first began studying 508 compliance and collaborating with peers through the American Advertising Federation, I learned a valuable truth: it’s easy to launch a website that’s 100% compliant, but maintaining that compliance is the real challenge. Every update, every new image, and every piece of content introduces opportunities for errors if not handled with care.

I’m proud to share that BAC’s website has maintained 100% digital accessibility compliance for over three consecutive years. That consistency speaks to our organization’s attention to detail, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to inclusion.” — Keri Goff, PMP

Digital accessibility doesn’t stop at the website. At BAC, Section 508 compliance extends into every corner of our communication strategy:

• Emails: Ensuring that font styles, contrast ratios, and text sizes meet accessibility standards so that all recipients, including those using screen readers can easily read and interpret messages.
• PDFs and Documents: Verifying that all downloadable materials include proper tagging, alt text, and color contrast for readability.
• Social Media and Visual Design: Crafting graphics with clear text contrast and descriptive captions to make online engagement universally inclusive.
• Internal Training: Empowering staff with best practices to ensure all digital materials meet accessibility standards before publication.

By embedding 508 compliance into everyday practices, BAC reinforces that accessibility isn’t a one-time project, it’s a continual, organization-wide commitment.

Why Digital 508 Compliance Matters

In today’s digital landscape, access to information is as vital as access to physical spaces. Every click, download, and interaction represents an opportunity to include, or unintentionally exclude, someone. Digital 508 compliance ensures that individuals of all abilities can independently navigate websites, read documents, use online forms, and engage fully with content that many take for granted.

For BAC, this commitment extends far beyond meeting legal standards; it’s about honoring our mission. As an organization that creates employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, we understand firsthand how barriers, whether physical or digital can limit participation, independence, and inclusion. By maintaining Section 508 compliance, BAC ensures that no one is left behind in an increasingly connected world.

The importance of digital accessibility also lies in its broader impact on communication equity and innovation. Accessible design often leads to clearer, more organized, and more user-friendly content for everyone, not just individuals with disabilities. For example, properly structured documents improve search functionality, captions enhance comprehension in noisy environments, and accessible color contrast benefits users viewing content on mobile devices. In this way, accessibility and usability go hand-in-hand creating a better experience for all users.

Moreover, for federal contractors and mission-driven organizations like BAC, 508 compliance demonstrates accountability and alignment with federal priorities. It supports inclusivity across government communications, workforce development, and service delivery ensuring that every stakeholder, partner, and employee can access information equally.

Digital accessibility, then, is not simply about compliance; it’s about culture. It’s about ensuring that every design choice, every uploaded document, and every email sent reflects our shared belief that inclusion should never depend on ability.

As technology continues to shape how we communicate, connect, and serve, BAC remains steadfast in its mission to ensure accessibility for all, physically and digitally. Through proactive leadership, strategic partnerships, and a culture of accountability, we’ve built a foundation where inclusion thrives across every platform.

At BAC, accessibility isn’t an afterthought, it’s an integral part of who we are and how we serve.