International standards give state-of-the-art specifications for products, services, and good practices to help make industry more efficient and effective. Developed through global consensus, they help to break down barriers to international trade. The ISO was founded in 1947 and since then has published more than 19,500 international standards covering almost all aspects of technology and business. In addition, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 1906 that develops international standards and conducts conformity assessments for all electrical, electronics, and related technologies. Because many industries around the world, including the technology industry, rely on these organizations for guidance and standards, relevant reports from these organizations were reviewed as part of this study.

### Section 508

In 1998, the US Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973facilities.

### The World Wide Web Consortium

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an international community that develops open standards to ensure the long-term growth of the Web. Web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) are developed through the W3C process in cooperation with individuals and organizations around the world with the goal of providing a single, shared standard for Web content accessibility that meets the needs of individuals, organizations, and governments internationally. The WCAG guidelines explain how to make Web content more accessible to people with disabilities.

### The National Institute of Standards and Technology

Founded in 1901 and now part of the US Department of Commerce, the mission of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is to promote US innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and