Common Industry Terms
WCAG Standards
WCAG standards are international guidelines for making websites and digital content usable by people with disabilities. They matter because many contracts and laws reference them when judging your accessibility compliance.
Section 508
Section 508 is a United States law that requires federal agencies and many contractors to provide accessible technology. It influences how your products, websites, and documents are evaluated in public sector procurement.
VPAT ACR
A VPAT or Accessibility Conformance Report explains how well your product meets accessibility standards. Buyers use it to compare vendors, so clear and accurate reports can strengthen your contract proposals.
IDEA
IDEA is a federal law that governs special education services in K-12 schools. It shapes how districts provide accessible instruction and transition planning for students with disabilities while they are in school.
ADA
The ADA is a civil rights law that protects people with disabilities in work, education, and public life. For digital accessibility, it sets expectations that websites, apps, and documents must be usable by all.
Assistive Technology
Assistive technology includes tools like screen readers, magnifiers, and built-in accessibility features on phones and computers. It matters because your digital content must work smoothly with these tools for true accessibility.