Why Digital Accessibility is important

All public facilities must be accessible to everyone. Also for people with a disability. They too want to use websites and apps. If a website is well-constructed, it can also be used by visitors with a disability. That is why guidelines (WCAG) have been drawn up that websites and apps must meet.

Digital accessibility is mandatory for (semi) government agencies, but is also interesting for commercial companies.

The advantages of a Digitally Accessible website

Better found by search engines with an accessible website

A search engine also has a visual impairment; it cannot view images or read code and prefers plain text. A search engine wants textual alternatives for all website content that is not text. A digitally accessible website indicates what headings, subheadings, paragraphs and (bulleted) lists are. If your website is found well in search engines, it is also easier to find for visitors!
 

Higher turnover through an accessible website

Your website becomes accessible to a larger group of people. Think also of the ever-growing group of elderly people and migrants. Also because the website becomes more user-friendly, people without a disability will experience the website as pleasant and are more likely to fill out the contact form, request a quote, or purchase your product or service. Your turnover increases!
 

Better social engagement

When you show website visitors that you have made the website suitable for people with a disability, you create social engagement and loyalty.

The steps to Digital accessibility

1. Draw up an accessibility statement
   First of all, an accessibility statement must be drawn up for every website or app you are responsible for. This statement makes clear what measures are being taken and when. Visitors are informed why the website does not yet fully comply with the regulations.

2. Request an inspection of your website
   There are various institutions that can inspect a website in terms of technology and content. In the Netherlands, there are three organizations that carry out inspections: CARDAN Technobility, Stichting Accessibility and Het Keurmerkinstituut. They assess the website based on the guidelines (WCAG). Design, content and technology are reviewed.

3. Adjust accessibility of your website to the accessibility standard WCAG 2.1, level A + AA
   The guidelines are included in the European Standard (EN 301 549). There are three levels, of which A and AA are legally required.

   • Level A - minimum accessibility
   • Level AA - good accessibility
   • AAA - excellent accessibility

   
   Examples:

   • Ensure sufficient contrast between foreground and background colors.
   • Ensure consistency
   • Use shape and/or text in addition to color if it needs to convey meaning
   • Use short sentences and make use of headings and subheadings
   • Images and links must be provided with text
   • Ensure good titles per page
   • The website must be suitable for screen readers and braille displays
   • Friendly URLs

   Curious about all WCAG guidelines?

4. Re-check digital accessibility
   Have the digital accessibility checked again by the authority

5. Apply for a quality mark
   If the inspection is successfully completed, you can apply for a quality mark to show that the website meets the accessibility requirements. For this you can apply for the Waarmerk Drempelvrij.nl at the Stichting Drempelvrij.nl. This is not necessary, but good for social engagement.