Web accessibility is no longer just an add-on - it is becoming a key element of design, programming and content management. Since the introduction of the regulations in 2019, the idea of digital accessibility has gained importance and the implementation of WCAG 2.1 standards has become an obligation not only for public entities, but also for private companies. In this article, we will provide a detailed overview of the issues related to the implementation of digital accessibility, discuss the legal basis, key technical aspects and examples of practical solutions that can inspire web developers.
Dalszą część artykułu przeczytasz poniżej - pod formularzem.
Legal basis for digital accessibility
As of 4 April 2019, the Digital Accessibility of Public Entities' Websites and Mobile Applications Act is in force, which defines what requirements websites must meet in order to be accessible to all users. A key premise of the law is to ensure equal access to information regardless of the type of disability - from visual impairment, hearing impairment or mobility limitations to intellectual difficulties or cognitive impairment. With a precisely defined table of requirements, based on four main pillars - perceptibility, functionality, comprehensibility and compatibility - it has become possible to set clear standards that must be met for a website to be considered fully accessible.
Main elements of digital accessibility
Perceptibility
Perceptibility is the basis for making information available to all users. In practice, this means:
- Alternative descriptions: Each graphical element should have a textual description, allowing the message to be understood even with limited access to the visual content.
- Clear presentation of content: Adequate contrast, clarity of layout and readability of text are key, allowing information to be more easily perceived by people with different needs.
- Responsiveness and scalability: The ability to change the font size and adapt the layout of the site to different devices are elements that greatly enhance the user experience.
Functionality
Functionality focuses on ensuring that every operation performed on the site is intuitive and accessible:
- Keyboard operation: Even without a mouse, the user should be able to navigate the site and use its functions via the keyboard.
- Correctly structured: The appropriate use of headings, lists or forms enables information to be presented in a logical and hierarchical manner.
- User security: Particular attention is paid to the elimination of elements that can cause dangerous reactions, e.g. flickering that can stimulate people suffering from epilepsy.
Understandibility
Understandability of content and interface is key to ensuring predictability and ease of use of the site:
- Consistent navigation: Users should find an intuitive system for navigating the site, and all operations - such as filling in forms - must be supported by clear instructions and error support.
- Clear messages: Feedback and system messages should be clear so that the user can quickly understand what needs to be improved or what action has been completed successfully.
Compatibility
Compatibility is the aspect most influenced by developers:
- Compatibility with assistive technologies: The website must be compatible with assistive software such as screen readers or magnification tools.
- Correct use of HTML elements: Every interactive element - buttons, links, form fields - should be implemented according to best practice, ensuring correct operation on different platforms and devices.
WCAG compliance levels
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) define three levels of compliance:
- Level A - basic: Failure to comply with this level results in complete inaccessibility of content for certain user groups.
- Level AA - optimal: This is the level that ensures broad accessibility, eliminating most barriers to using the site. In Poland, the WCAG 2.1 standard is currently required to be met at level AA.
- Level AAA - highest: Although it is challenging to reach this level, implementing such standards minimises any difficulties that users with various disabilities may encounter.
Implementing WCAG 2.1 at level AA requires a thorough analysis of every element of the website, from the source code to the editorial content. It is also necessary to draw up an accessibility declaration, which provides formal confirmation of the website's compliance with the adopted standards.
Technical and programming adaptations
The implementation of the WCAG 2.1 guidelines involves a number of technical modifications. Among the most important of these are:
- Source code modification: The developer must ensure that HTML tags are used correctly to ensure proper functionality in terms of accessibility.
- CMS configuration: Popular content management systems, such as WordPress, offer a range of tools and plug-ins to create contrasting versions, define content hierarchies and configure forms according to WCAG guidelines.
- Adaptation of multimedia: For audio and video content, it is necessary to provide alternative forms of media, for example subtitles for videos or transcription of recordings, which is crucial for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Testing and validation: Each service should go through a series of tests, including simulations using assistive technologies, to confirm that the solutions implemented do indeed improve accessibility.
Importance of WCAG-compliant content
Digital accessibility is not only about the technical programming aspects, but also about the content side. Key issues include:
- Alternative sources of information: For users with limited access to traditional visual or audio media, appropriate descriptions and alternative versions of content are necessary.
- Graphic description: Graph ics with a content function should be enhanced with detailed descriptions that allow the message to be understood even by people with visual impairments.
- Clarity of message: When publishing content, it is worth ensuring that each piece of information is presented in a clear manner, which minimises the risk of misunderstanding and enhances the user experience for people with different disabilities.
When creating content, authors should constantly ask themselves whether the message is sufficiently clear and whether each piece of information has been described in such a way that everyone - regardless of individual limitations - can fully assimilate it.
Training and support for employees
Implementing digital accessibility standards is not just about working with code and creating graphics, but also about educating staff. Agencies such as Krakweb provide specialised training that:
- Raise awareness of the importance of accessibility: Employees learn the importance of creating content and designing sites with all users in mind.
- Provideconcrete guidelines: Training courses include practical guidance on how to implement individual elements in accordance with WCAG, allowing them to implement improvements themselves.
- They increase the efficiency of content management: Instruction on the use of CMS systems, such as WordPress, helps to keep the website in compliance at all times.
Such initiatives make it possible not only to implement uniform standards, but also to maintain them at a high level in the long term.
Summary
Digital accessibility is an indispensable part of modern web design and programming. The introduction of the 2019 Act and the development of the WCAG 2.1 guidelines at AA level provide a solid foundation on which a modern approach to website development is based. With defined principles - encompassing perceivability, functionality, comprehensibility and compatibility - every user, regardless of their limitations, can enjoy the full benefits of the internet.
Practical implementations, such as projects carried out by the Krakweb agency, show that a properly designed website not only meets legal requirements, but also has a positive impact on the user experience. Education, training and continuous improvement of digital accessibility skills are crucial to ensure equal access to information and services for all.
With the growing role of the Internet in everyday life, digital accessibility implementations are not only a challenge, but above all an opportunity to create a more inclusive online environment. It is therefore worth investing today in the correct implementation of accessibility standards, which will benefit both users and website owners.
Caring for digital accessibility is an ongoing process that requires the cooperation of specialists from different fields. Through joint efforts, we can achieve the goal of full technological integration, enabling everyone to access knowledge, services and information without barriers.
ICEberg CMS 5 and Krakweb can significantly facilitate the implementation of digital accessibility on websites.
How does ICEberg CMS 5 help in the implementation of digital accessibility?
With ICEberg CMS 5, the process of implementing WCAG 2.1 guidelines is automated - the system offers, among other things:
- Automatic generation of alternative texts for images - allows the addition of descriptions that are crucial for users using screen readers.
- Adjustment of colour contrast - the tool analyses the colours on the page and suggests adjustments to meet readability requirements.
- Automatic hierarchy of headings - the system ensures that content is structured correctly, making it easier to navigate for those using assistive technology.
- Form optimisation and keyboard support - guarantees full functionality of the interface without the use of a mouse, which is essential for people with motor limitations.
How is Krakweb helping to implement digital accessibility?
In turn, Krakweb, as an experienced interactive agency, not only implements solutions based on ICEberg CMS 5, but also offers full content and training support. Krakweb helps in:
- Designing WCAG-compliant websites - from the creation of graphic templates, through code modifications, to editing the content so that it is accessible to all users.
- Training and consultation - imparting knowledge of accessibility best practices so that websites can maintain high standards at all times.
- Full support for accessibility projects - Krakweb implements automation solutions, as well as carrying out audits and preparing accessibility declarations, in line with current legislation.
As a result, ICEberg CMS 5, as an advanced technological tool, facilitates the automation of many aspects of accessibility, while Krakweb provides comprehensive expert support and practical implementations, which together ensure that the website is not only compliant with legal requirements, but also user-friendly for all users.
