How to Know If Your Product Truly Passed Section 508 Testing
After a Section 508 web compliance audit, your team typically receives a test report. This report includes findings, screenshots, and sometimes a draft Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT).
A common question arises: Did we actually pass Section 508 compliance testing or not? Many organizations get stuck at this point, unsure how to confirm if their product is truly compliant and ready for federal customers, procurement teams, and accessibility reviewers.
This guide will clarify what passing Section 508 testing looks like and what steps to take if you haven't yet met compliance standards.
Why Passing 508 Testing Isn’t Always Clear
Unlike traditional exams, Section 508 testing doesn’t provide a simple pass/fail score. This often leads to confusion, particularly for teams reporting to leadership or preparing a VPAT/Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR).
You only achieve Section 508 compliance when all issues that obstruct conformance are fully resolved and validated. Many teams mistakenly believe they have passed just because the testing phase is complete.
However, testing is merely a diagnosis; it identifies problems but doesn't solve them. True compliance requires successful remediation of identified issues and subsequent Section 508 compliance certification.
Not sure if you actually passed? Let’s check together. Claim your free Section 508 consultation.
What Section 508 Website Compliance Means
Section 508 is based on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) requirements. Compliance means your product is:
- Usable with a keyboard
- Readable by screen readers
- Perceivable by users with low vision
- Operable without a mouse
- Predictable and error-tolerant
Your product is considered non-compliant if any of these functionalities fail in any component of your website.
For a complete understanding of Section 508 requirements, refer to the detailed compliance guide: What Are the 508 Compliance Standards for Websites?
The 5-Part Checklist to Know If You Passed 508 Testing
This checklist provides the clearest way to confirm your compliance status. Your website has passed if all five statements below are true.
1. Your Test Report Includes Manual + Assistive Technology Testing
You have not passed the test if your results are derived solely from automated 508 compliance testing tools. Automated tools typically only identify 30–40% of issues, and they cannot assess usability, reading order, or logical navigation.
Audits based solely on scans are insufficient for federal procurement requirements. True compliance can only be confirmed when human testers evaluate your product using screen readers and keyboards.
2. Every Blocker and Critical Issue Has Been Remediated
Your test report typically categorizes issue severities, such as critical, high, medium, low, and recommendations. To pass Section 508, all critical and high-severity issues must be fixed.
It is also advisable to resolve medium-severity issues before undergoing federal procurement reviews. If your product still has unresolved blockers, such as missing alt text, absent visible focus indicators, incorrect heading structures, or color contrast failures, it has not yet passed compliance.
How long does it take to fix common 508 issues?
Basic issues like missing alt text, focus indicators, heading errors, and contrast failures can often be addressed within a few days. However, your product can only pass Section 508 once these fixes have been verified.
3. The Accessibility Team Has Re-Tested All Fixes
A product achieves compliance only after the remediation efforts have been thoroughly validated. Many teams, due to time or budget constraints, tend to skip this crucial retesting step.
Assuming that a development fix will inherently work as intended is a significant risk. You need concrete verification, including screenshots and documented pass/fail notes for each fix.
If your implemented fixes have not undergone re-testing, your product's compliance status remains unconfirmed.
4. The Final VPAT/ACR Accurately Reflects Verified Results
The VPAT is the authoritative document trusted by federal buyers for assessing accessibility conformance. It is imperative that your VPAT accurately reflects the findings of your testing process.
If your VPAT is incomplete, makes unsubstantiated claims, or is not aligned with valid testing outcomes, you risk:
- Failing procurement reviews
- Losing valuable contract opportunities
- Appearing non-transparent
- Triggering significant accessibility concerns
Remember, a valid and accurate VPAT serves as a primary indicator that you have successfully passed Section 508 testing.
Q: Who is supposed to write a VPAT?
A: A VPAT should be authored by qualified accessibility professionals who have conducted actual testing of your product. This can be your internal accessibility team or an external audit partner. A VPAT must be based on comprehensive manual testing, as procurement teams expect the VPAT author to be knowledgeable and capable of defending its findings.
For more detailed information, read our blog: Do I Need a VPAT Accessibility Conformance Report for Section 508 Compliance?
5. Compliance Ultimately Comes Down to Real-World Usability
Beyond policies and checklists, the true measure of compliance is whether a screen reader user or a keyboard-only user can effectively interact with your website. They should be able to complete essential tasks such as signing in, submitting forms, or accessing key features using their preferred assistive technology.
If users cannot perform these actions, your product fails Section 508 compliance, regardless of your internal team's assessment. This underscores why real-user simulations are an irreplaceable component that automated scanning cannot replicate.
How to Quickly Confirm If You Passed
You don't need to delve into complex technical details to understand your compliance status. A brief conversation can often provide clarity within minutes.
Pose these three critical questions to your accessibility partner or testing provider:
- Did we fix and verify all critical and high-severity issues?
If the answer is not a clear "yes," then your product has not passed.
- Is our VPAT accurate and based on verified testing outcomes?
A hastily prepared VPAT without corresponding 508 remediation does not signify compliance.
- Would a user relying on assistive technology be able to complete all essential functions?
Any hesitation in their response should indicate your true conformance level.
Common Myths About Passing 508 Testing
Signs You Did NOT Pass Section 508 Testing
You are likely not compliant if any of the following statements resonate with your situation:
- Your team is still in the process of fixing bugs.
- Only automated scans were performed, without manual testing.
- No assistive technology testing (e.g., screen reader testing) was conducted.
- Your VPAT appears unusually clean or overly positive, lacking realistic detail.
- There was no validation cycle after the remediation efforts.
- The testing provider delivered results suspiciously quickly.
- You are unsure how conformance was calculated or determined.
If even one item on this list applies to your product, you are not adequately prepared for government procurement opportunities.
What to Do If You Didn’t Pass
If your product has not passed Section 508 testing, you need to follow these three essential steps:
- Remediation of critical issues
- Re-test every fix
- Update your VPAT/ACR
Remediation is your immediate priority when you fail 508 testing. Focus on fixing all critical accessibility barriers that most significantly impact real users. Following remediation, re-test every implemented fix, as verification is the cornerstone of genuine compliance.
Only after validation should you update your VPAT/ACR, ensuring the documentation accurately reflects the corrected results. This entire process can be managed efficiently with the support of a specialized team.
Organizations that skip validation or produce superficial VPATs often lose out on federal contracts.
Conclusion
Your product officially passes Section 508 testing once comprehensive manual testing is completed, all critical issues are remediated, and the VPAT accurately reflects the verified results.
If you are uncertain about your compliance status or need assistance confirming whether you’ve passed, professional help is available. We can guide you through the process, confirm your compliance status, and develop a clean, procurement-ready VPAT.
ADA Compliance Pros offers decades of digital accessibility experience and has become a leading agency for Section 508 compliance consultation. Our services include:
- Full manual and assistive technology testing
- Expert guidance on issue remediation
- Comprehensive verification cycles
- Creation of VPAT 2.5 documentation
- Fast turnarounds to meet procurement deadlines
Schedule a quick consultation to understand exactly where your product stands regarding compliance.