If you work in a school, you have probably heard of Section 504 plans. They come up all the time when supporting students with disabilities. But what about Section 508? The names sound almost the same, and that causes a lot of confusion.
Both come from the same law — the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 — but they cover very different things. Here is a simple breakdown.
What Is Section 504?
Section 504 is part of the Rehabilitation Act that protects people with disabilities from discrimination in any program that receives federal funding. In schools, this means students with a disability are entitled to accommodations that give them equal access to learning.
A 504 plan is less formal than an IEP (Individualized Education Program) under IDEA. It does not require a special education classification. It simply says that the school will make reasonable changes so the student can participate fully.
Examples of Section 504 Accommodations
These are the kinds of things you would see in a 504 plan:
Extra Time on Tests
Students get additional time to complete exams and assignments.
Preferential Seating
A student sits closer to the teacher or away from distractions.
Modified Assignments
Reduced homework, shortened tests, or alternative formats.
Use of Assistive Technology
Permission to use tools like text-to-speech, speech-to-text, or reading overlays.
Breaks During Testing
Scheduled breaks to help with focus and fatigue.
Large Print Materials
Printed materials in a larger font size for students with low vision.
Quiet Testing Environment
A separate room for tests to reduce distractions.
If you are a teacher, counselor, or occupational therapist, this is the Section you probably deal with every day.
What Is Section 508?
Section 508 is a different part of the same law. It was added as an amendment in 1998 and focuses on technology. Specifically, it requires that electronic and information technology used by federal agencies is accessible to people with disabilities.
Over time, Section 508 has become the standard that schools, government agencies, and organizations use to make sure their websites, apps, documents, and digital tools work for everyone — including people who use screen readers, keyboard navigation, or other assistive technology.
Examples of Section 508 Requirements
These are the kinds of things Section 508 covers:
Screen Reader Compatibility
Websites and apps must work with screen readers so people with visual impairments can hear the content.
Keyboard Navigation
Everything on a website must be usable without a mouse, using only the keyboard.
Color Contrast
Text must have enough contrast against the background so it is readable by people with low vision.
Captions on Videos
Videos must include captions for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Alt Text on Images
Images must have descriptive alt text so screen readers can describe them.
Accessible Documents
PDFs and other documents must be structured so assistive technology can read them properly.
Accessible Forms
Online forms must be navigable and usable with assistive technology.
The Simple Way to Remember It
Section 504 is about the person. It makes sure people with disabilities get the accommodations they need to participate equally.
Section 508 is about the technology. It makes sure digital tools and content are built in a way that everyone can use them.
They work together. A student might have a 504 plan that says they can use assistive technology (Section 504). And the technology they use should be built to be accessible in the first place (Section 508).
What This Means in Helperbird
In Helperbird, we have accessibility profiles that let users quickly apply a set of recommended settings based on their needs. One of those profiles is called Section 508.
The Section 508 profile applies settings that help users interact with web content that may not be fully accessible on its own. This includes things like high contrast mode, text resizing, enhanced link visibility, and other adjustments that bring web content closer to meeting accessibility standards.
It is named Section 508 because it is focused on making the technology and content more accessible — which is exactly what Section 508 is about.
Our other profiles — like Dyslexia, ADHD & Focus, Low Vision, Reading Comfort, and Motor Accessibility — are designed around specific needs and conditions. The Section 508 profile is designed around the accessibility standard itself.
Related Resources
- How to Use Accessibility Profiles in Helperbird
- How to Use Helperbird for Reading
- All Helperbird Features
Need Help?
If you have any questions about Helperbird's accessibility profiles or how to use them with your students, please contact us at Helperbird support. We are always happy to help.
