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What is digital accessibility - Web Guide
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What is digital accessibility

Last updated: 10/09/2026

Introduction

Welcome to the Web Accessibility content of the Publications Office Web Guide.

As a content creators and editors your words and media directly shape how the world experiences the digital space.

Web Accessibility starts long before coding begins – it is sparked the moment you craft a headline, select an image or create design.

Removing the barriers

Fundamentally, web accessibility means designing and creating web content so that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate and interact with it effectively.

Imagine a building: a developer can install the ramps and wide doorways (that’s the code and environment), however if you then block the hallway with a big piece of furniture (incorrect structure, lack of alternative text or low contrast colors), the building would not be accessible for visitiors.

Your role is to keep this space clear and free of barriers.

Users navigate the web with assistive technologies like braille displays, screen readers that read text aloud, or speech-recognition software.

These tools are highly advanced, but they rely entirely on how clearly you structure and format your content to understand the page.

Proper semantic HTML ensures that custom hardware devices can accurately parse and translate the on-screen content into physucal formats:

Hands reading a refreshable braille display integrated with a computer keyboard
 

The spectrum of disability

We often associate accessibility strictly with permanent disabilities, however inclusive content actually helps everyone by addressing the full Disability Spectrum:

  • Permanent disability - a user who is permanently blind, deaf or has limited motor function.
  • Temporary disability - a user who has a broken arm (unable to use a mouse) or has eye infection (impaired vision).
  • Situational disability - a user who is holding a baby or may not hear the voice message because of the noise around.

Why it matters

1. Moral

Creating unclusive content is the moral responsibility that ensures equal digital rights and inclusion for people of all abilities.

2. Legal

Accessible digital content is a legal requirement:

  • Web Accessibility Directive (WAD) – Directive (EU) 2016/2102 on the accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies. It obliges all public sector bodies in the EU to make their online websites and mobile apps accessible.
  • EN 301 549 standard – a harmonised European technical standard accessibility requirements for ICT products and services.

3. Business

Accessible services allow business to reach a broader audience and gain economically. With estimated 100 million people in EU have some form of disability, this group represents a significant market opportunity.

 

More resources

Web Accessibility Directive (WAD)

EN 301 549 v3.2.1(external link, opens in a new window)