Web accessibility
EU Web Accessibility Directive
Web accessibility means that people with a wide range of abilities can easily access information and functions on the internet.
In December 2016, the EU Web Accessibility Directive came into force.
Under this directive, public sector organisations must apply the European standard EN 301 549 to their websites and online tools. This standard is based on the latest version of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines were drawn up by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) as part of the Web Accessibility Initiative. They are aimed at everyone who provides, writes, develops and designs web content.
According to EU Directive 2016/2102, accessible content must comply with the four principles of web accessibility:
- Perceivable – content must be perceivable by at least one human sense. For example, images are described using alternative text for people with visual impairments.
- Operable – content must be controllable using multiple means. For example, people who cannot use a mouse may only be able to access content via the keyboard.
- Understandable – use clear and simple language and predictable, consistent interfaces. This helps people with cognitive or reading impairments.
- Robust – the website or app must function properly, regardless of the platform, browser or device, including when used with assistive technology.
Want to know more? Visit the EU website on web accessibility
Frequently Asked Questions about web accessibility
The European Disability Forum (EDF) has created a website with frequently asked questions about the EU Web Accessibility Directive:
Visit the EDF website for FAQs on web accessibility
The aim of this website is to support the implementation of the Directive and to provide reliable information and resources to those involved in purchasing, designing and monitoring websites or mobile applications, as well as to users. This website is maintained by the Web Accessibility Initiative - Communities of Practice (WAI-CooP) Project.
Digital Accessibility Toolkits: tips & tricks from the European Disability Forum (EDF)
The European Disability Forum (EDF) has developed four toolkits on digital accessibility containing practical tips and recommendations that you can apply in your daily work. The training sessions focus on:
- making Word documents more accessible:
Accessible Word Toolkit - Digital Accessibility Training session #1 - making PowerPoint presentations more accessible:
Accessible PowerPoint Toolkit - Digital Accessibility Training session #2 - improving the accessibility of the content you post on social media and using accessibility features on social media platforms:
Accessible Social Media Toolkit - Digital Accessibility Training session #3 - improving the accessibility of the online events you organise, with a focus on Zoom:
Accessible Online Meeting Toolkit - Digital Accessibility Training session #4
