508 Compliance & Accessibility Course Outline
Learn to create accessible web applications that comply with Section 508 and WCAG standards
508 Compliance & Web Accessibility Program
Our comprehensive 508 Compliance & Web Accessibility program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to create accessible web applications that comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards. Whether you're a developer, designer, or QA professional, this course covers all aspects of accessibility implementation, testing, and compliance.
You'll master Section 508 compliance requirements, WCAG 2.0 & 2.1 guidelines, and learn to work effectively with industry-standard accessibility testing tools including AXE, WAVE, Pa11y, Lighthouse, and screen readers. Our curriculum also covers ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications), semantic HTML, accessible forms, color contrast requirements, and responsive accessibility design.
Our hands-on, project-based approach ensures you gain practical experience creating accessible web applications and conducting comprehensive accessibility audits. You'll complete portfolio-ready projects that demonstrate your mastery of accessibility standards, testing methodologies, and compliance requirements.
Join our 508 Compliance & Accessibility program and help make the web more inclusive for everyone! Our comprehensive curriculum prepares you for roles as Accessibility Specialist, 508 Compliance Tester, Web Accessibility Engineer, and Inclusive Design Consultant.
Return on Investment (ROI) for Web Accessibility
Web accessibility is becoming increasingly critical as legal requirements expand and organizations recognize the importance of inclusive design. With Section 508 compliance mandatory for federal agencies and many states adopting similar requirements, skilled accessibility professionals are in high demand across government, healthcare, education, and enterprise sectors.
Our comprehensive 508 Compliance & Accessibility program prepares you for immediate entry into specialized roles with practical, hands-on experience in accessibility testing, compliance auditing, and inclusive design. Graduates typically see a 200-350% return on investment within the first year, with accessibility specialists earning competitive salaries and having clear pathways to senior roles in compliance and inclusive design.
Whether you're looking to specialize in accessibility, transition from general QA or development, or enhance your skills with compliance expertise, this program provides the foundation for long-term success in the rapidly growing field of web accessibility and inclusive design.
508 Compliance & Accessibility Program Curriculum
Learning Path Overview
🤖 AI Integration Throughout Learning Journey
Real-World Benefits & ROI
Module 1: Accessibility Fundamentals & Standards
- •Introduction to Web Accessibility: What is accessibility, why it matters, types of disabilities, assistive technologies
- •Section 508 Compliance: Rehabilitation Act, federal requirements, compliance standards, legal implications
- •WCAG Overview: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 & 2.1, POUR principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust)
- •Accessibility Laws & Regulations: ADA, Section 504, international standards, state-level requirements
- •Projects: Analyze accessibility requirements, understand compliance standards, create accessibility audit plans
- •AI-Assisted Learning: Using GPT, Copilot, and Claude for accessibility requirement analysis, compliance documentation, and standards research
Learning Outcomes:
- ✓Understand web accessibility fundamentals and legal requirements
- ✓Master Section 508 compliance standards and WCAG guidelines
- ✓Create comprehensive accessibility audit plans and compliance documentation
- ✓Use AI tools to enhance accessibility analysis and documentation
🤖 AI Topics Covered:
- 🤖AI Accessibility Analysis: Using GPT, Claude, and Copilot to analyze accessibility requirements and compliance standards
- 🤖AI Compliance Documentation: Leveraging AI to generate compliance documentation and audit plans
💰 Earning Opportunities:
- 💰Junior Accessibility Tester: Entry-level positions ($50-65K annually)
- 💰Accessibility Audit Services: Create audit plans for clients ($1,000-3,000 per project)
Module 2: WCAG Guidelines & ARIA Implementation
- •WCAG 2.0 & 2.1 Deep Dive: Level A, AA, AAA conformance, success criteria, techniques and failures
- •ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications): ARIA roles, properties, states, live regions, landmarks
- •Semantic HTML: Proper use of HTML5 semantic elements, heading hierarchy, form labels, alt text
- •Keyboard Navigation: Tab order, focus management, skip links, keyboard shortcuts
- •Projects: Implement WCAG-compliant components, add ARIA attributes, create accessible forms and navigation
- •AI WCAG Analysis: Using AI to analyze WCAG compliance, suggest ARIA implementations, and generate accessibility reports
Learning Outcomes:
- ✓Master WCAG 2.0 & 2.1 guidelines and success criteria
- ✓Implement ARIA attributes and semantic HTML effectively
- ✓Create keyboard-accessible interfaces and proper focus management
- ✓Leverage AI to analyze and optimize WCAG compliance
🤖 AI Topics Covered:
- 🤖AI WCAG Analysis: Generate WCAG compliance reports using GPT, Claude, and Copilot
- 🤖AI ARIA Suggestions: Use AI to suggest appropriate ARIA attributes and implementations
💰 Earning Opportunities:
- 💰Accessibility Developer: Work as accessibility developer ($60-80K annually)
- 💰WCAG Implementation: Implement WCAG compliance for clients ($2,000-5,000 per project)
Module 3: Accessibility Testing Tools & Techniques
- •Chrome DevTools Lighthouse: Accessibility auditing, performance metrics, best practices, automated accessibility reports, CI/CD integration
- •Automated Testing Tools: AXE DevTools, WAVE, Pa11y, Accessibility Insights, automated scanning and reporting
- •Screen Reader Testing: NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, TalkBack, screen reader testing techniques
- •Manual Testing Techniques: Keyboard-only navigation, color contrast testing, focus indicators, form validation
- •Testing Workflows: Test planning, execution, reporting, remediation tracking
- •Projects: Conduct comprehensive accessibility audits using multiple tools and techniques
- •AI-Powered Testing Reports: Using AI to analyze test results, generate accessibility reports, and prioritize issues
Learning Outcomes:
- ✓Master automated and manual accessibility testing tools
- ✓Conduct screen reader testing and keyboard navigation testing
- ✓Create comprehensive accessibility test plans and reports
- ✓Use AI to enhance testing efficiency and report generation
🤖 AI Topics Covered:
- 🤖AI Test Report Generation: Generate comprehensive accessibility reports using AI
- 🤖AI Issue Prioritization: Use AI to analyze and prioritize accessibility issues
💰 Earning Opportunities:
- 💰Accessibility Tester: Work as accessibility tester ($55-75K annually)
- 💰Accessibility Auditing: Provide accessibility audits ($1,500-4,000 per project)
Module 4: Accessible Implementation & Design Patterns
- •Accessible Forms: Labels, error handling, required fields, validation messages, form structure
- •Color & Contrast: WCAG contrast ratios, color blindness, visual design, text alternatives
- •Accessible Media: Alt text, captions, transcripts, audio descriptions, video accessibility
- •Responsive & Mobile Accessibility: Touch targets, mobile screen readers, responsive design patterns
- •Projects: Build accessible forms, implement color contrast, create accessible media content
- •AI Design Patterns: Using AI to suggest accessible design patterns, generate alt text, and optimize color contrast
Learning Outcomes:
- ✓Implement accessible forms, media, and design patterns
- ✓Ensure proper color contrast and visual accessibility
- ✓Create responsive and mobile-accessible interfaces
- ✓Leverage AI to optimize accessible design implementations
🤖 AI Topics Covered:
- 🤖AI Alt Text Generation: Generate descriptive alt text using AI tools
- 🤖AI Design Optimization: Use AI to suggest accessible design patterns and improvements
💰 Earning Opportunities:
- 💰Accessibility Designer: Work as accessibility designer ($65-85K annually)
- 💰Accessibility Implementation: Implement accessible designs ($2,500-6,000 per project)
Module 5: Section 508 Compliance & Accessibility Auditing
- •Section 508 Requirements: Technical standards, functional performance criteria, documentation requirements
- •Compliance Auditing: Audit methodology, compliance testing, remediation planning, VPAT creation
- •VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template): Creating VPATs, WCAG conformance statements, accessibility statements
- •Remediation Strategies: Prioritizing issues, remediation planning, implementation tracking
- •Projects: Conduct full Section 508 compliance audits, create VPATs, develop remediation plans
- •AI Compliance Documentation: Using AI to generate VPATs, compliance reports, and remediation documentation
Learning Outcomes:
- ✓Master Section 508 compliance requirements and auditing processes
- ✓Create comprehensive VPATs and compliance documentation
- ✓Develop effective remediation strategies and implementation plans
- ✓Use AI to streamline compliance documentation and reporting
🤖 AI Topics Covered:
- 🤖AI VPAT Generation: Generate VPATs and compliance statements using AI
- 🤖AI Remediation Planning: Use AI to prioritize and plan remediation efforts
💰 Earning Opportunities:
- 💰508 Compliance Specialist: Work as compliance specialist ($70-95K annually)
- 💰Compliance Auditing: Provide compliance audits ($3,000-8,000 per project)
Module 6: Advanced Accessibility Topics & Capstone Project
- •Advanced ARIA Patterns: Complex widgets, dynamic content, single-page applications, custom components
- •Accessibility in Modern Frameworks: React, Angular, Vue accessibility, component libraries, accessibility testing in CI/CD
- •Performance & Accessibility: Balancing performance with accessibility, lazy loading, progressive enhancement
- •Accessibility Strategy: Building accessibility into development workflows, team training, accessibility culture
- •Capstone Project: Complete end-to-end accessibility project: audit, remediation, compliance documentation, and implementation
- •AI-Enhanced Solutions: Using AI to develop accessibility strategies, optimize implementations, and create comprehensive accessibility solutions
Learning Outcomes:
- ✓Implement advanced ARIA patterns and modern framework accessibility
- ✓Develop comprehensive accessibility strategies and workflows
- ✓Complete end-to-end accessibility projects demonstrating mastery
- ✓Leverage AI for intelligent accessibility solutions and optimization
🤖 AI Topics Covered:
- 🤖AI Accessibility Strategy: Develop comprehensive accessibility strategies using AI tools
- 🤖AI Solution Optimization: Use AI to optimize accessibility implementations and solutions
💰 Earning Opportunities:
- 💰Accessibility Engineer: Work as accessibility engineer ($80-110K annually)
- 💰Senior Accessibility Specialist: Advance to senior roles ($90-120K annually)
What You'll Learn
Accessibility Standards
- •Section 508 Compliance
- •WCAG 2.0 & 2.1 Guidelines
- •ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications)
- •Semantic HTML Best Practices
Testing & Tools
- •Screen Reader Testing
- •Keyboard Navigation Testing
- •Chrome DevTools Lighthouse
- •Automated Accessibility Testing Tools
- •Manual Testing Techniques
Implementation
- •Accessible Forms & Inputs
- •Color Contrast & Visual Design
- •Accessible Media & Content
- •Responsive & Mobile Accessibility
Ready to Make the Web More Accessible?
Join our comprehensive 508 Compliance & Accessibility program and learn to create inclusive web experiences.
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