The digital world continually experiences an unprecedented boom. More and more life essentials happen online – grocery shopping, accessing news, medical consultations, banking, etc. However, with this exponential growth comes the risk of digital exclusion for some population sections, including those with disabilities. That’s where web accessibility steps in.
What is Web Accessibility?
Web accessibility is a digital realm notion that allows everyone, including people with disabilities, to perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the internet. It has become crucial in creating a digital Europe where everyone can actively participate in the digital economy and society.
The Importance of Web Accessibility
Web accessibility presents a myriad of benefits for both users and businesses. By ensuring that websites and apps are “accessible,” businesses can tap into an underutilized customer base and therefore experience economic gain. There are approximately 100 million people in the EU living with a form of disability. If businesses tailor their online interfaces to suit these potential customers’ needs, the results could be overwhelmingly positive.
Simple adjustments such as providing an option to listen to a text when there is insufficient light or users are multitasking, or adding subtitles to videos in noisy environments, can significantly enhance user experience across all user categories, not just those with disabilities.
The European Law and Web Accessibility
To ensure that all Europeans get to enjoy a full and active part in the digital economy and society, the European Commission put forth Directive (EU) 2016/2102, also referred to as the Web Accessibility Directive. This Directive necessitates that all public sector bodies’ websites and apps become “more accessible”. However, exceptions are available for broadcasters and live streaming. A technical standard underpins this directive to explain what “accessible” entails.
Key Aspects of the Web Accessibility Directive
The Directive pushes for the following regulations:
- All websites and mobile apps must feature an accessibility statement. This statement should highlight non-accessible content and alternatives alongside contact information.
- All digital platforms should constitute a feedback mechanism. This setup allows users to flag accessibility problems or request information posted via non-accessible content.
- Member States should carry out regular monitoring of public sector websites and apps. The results from this assessment should be reported to the Commission every three years.
Complementary Legislations
The Web Accessibility Directive works hand in hand with the European Accessibility Act and other legislative inputs that support persons with disabilities in different areas, including electronic communications, audio-visual media services, ebooks, eCommerce, and ICT equipment.
Evaluation of the Web Accessibility Directive
In 2022, the European Commission held a review of the Web Accessibility Directive, building upon a public consultation carried out in 2021. This process presented an in-depth insight into the Directive’s application in practice, compiled from the Member States’ first accessibility monitoring reports and a supporting study. The results from these assessments are publicly available on the EU Publications portal.
Implementation and Monitoring
Since September 23, 2018, all the EU Member States have transposed the Directive into national law. They are required to periodically monitor websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies for compliance with accessibility requirements. The next series of reports is expected in December 2024.
The European Commission also offers financial support to research and deploy web accessibility and accessible technology solutions through various project activities.
Ensuring web accessibility is a step towards inclusive digital growth as we push the boundaries of what’s possible in the online world.
Tags: #WebAccessibility #DigitalInclusion #EULegislation #DigitalEconomy
[Reference Link](!https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/web-accessibility)