Glossary

International Digital Accessibility Glossary

A

A11y

A11y is a shorthand for "accessibility," where the 11 letters between "A" and "Y" are replaced by the number 11. This abbreviation is commonly used in the web development community to refer to digital accessibility.

D

Digital Accessibility

Digital accessibility ensures that online content, services, and applications are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This includes compatibility with assistive technologies such as screen readers, keyboard navigation, and more.

W

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

WCAG is an international standard that provides recommendations for making web content more accessible. The guidelines are organized around four principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR). WCAG is the foundation for most accessibility regulations worldwide.

Key Concepts in Digital Accessibility

A

Assistive Technologies

These are tools and software that help people with disabilities use digital platforms. Examples include screen readers, screen magnifiers, speech recognition software, and alternative input devices such as adapted keyboards.

Alt Text (Alternative Text)

A textual description of an image that allows screen readers to convey the content of the image to users who are blind or visually impaired.

ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications)

A set of attributes used to make dynamic web content more accessible to users who rely on assistive technologies. ARIA helps create a more robust and accessible web experience for everyone.

Accessible Forms

Online forms that are designed to be usable by everyone, with clear labels, error messages, and keyboard navigability.

Accessible PDF

A PDF document designed to be usable by assistive technologies, featuring properly structured headings, tagged elements, and text descriptions for images.

C

Color Contrast

The difference in luminance between text and background colors. High contrast improves readability for users with low vision or color blindness.

K

Keyboard Navigation

An essential feature that enables users to navigate through a website using only their keyboard, without needing a mouse. This is critical for users with motor impairments.

S

Subtitles and Captions

Text that accompanies video content, making it accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Subtitles focus on dialogue, while captions include both dialogue and non-verbal sounds.

Screen Reader Compatibility

A measure of how well a website works with screen readers, which are used by visually impaired individuals to interact with web content.

V

Visible Focus

A visual indicator (such as an outline) that shows which element on a webpage is currently selected, helping users who navigate with a keyboard.

Legal and Regulatory Frameworks

A

These are automated tools used to assess a website’s compliance with accessibility standards like WCAG. They identify issues such as missing alt text, insufficient color contrast, or improper use of HTML tags.

D

Declaration of Accessibility

A mandatory document for public websites in many regions, including Europe, which outlines a site’s compliance with accessibility standards. It must provide users with information on the accessibility status of the site and a way to report accessibility issues.

Accessibility Standards by Region

A

Australia:

  • Disability Discrimination Act 1992: Though not specific to digital, it has been interpreted to require web accessibility.
  • Australian Government's Digital Service Standard: Incorporates WCAG 2.1 compliance.

B

Brazil:

  • eMAG (Modelo de Acessibilidade em Governo Eletrônico): A model for accessibility in electronic government, largely based on WCAG.

C

Canada:

  • AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act): Provincial law in Ontario, requiring compliance with specific accessibility standards.
  • Accessible Canada Act (ACA): Federal law that includes digital accessibility requirements.

China:

  • China's National Standards (GB/T 37668-2019): Similar to WCAG, focused on web accessibility.

E

Europe:

  • EN 301 549
    This European standard defines accessibility requirements for digital products and services, including websites, software, and mobile applications. It is aligned with the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which must be implemented by EU member states by June 2025.
  • European Accessibility Act (EAA)
    A European regulation that requires essential digital services and products to be accessible to all, including those with disabilities. It applies to both public and private sectors and covers e-commerce, banking, transport, and more.

European Union:

  • EN 301 549: The European standard for digital accessibility, applicable across all member states, often referenced by EU legislation such as the European Accessibility Act.

European Accessibility Act (EAA)

  • A European regulation that requires essential digital services and products to be accessible to all, including those with disabilities. It applies to both public and private sectors and covers e-commerce, banking, transport, and more.

EU Member States:

  • France: RGAA (Référentiel Général d'Amélioration de l'Accessibilité) version 4.1.2: Specific to France, providing guidelines for public websites and applications.
  • Germany:BITV 2.0 (Barrierefreie Informationstechnik-Verordnung): Germany’s national accessibility standard, based on WCAG, with additional local requirements.
  • Italy:Legge Stanca (Law 4/2004): Italy's accessibility law, which includes digital services and is aligned with WCAG principles.
  • Spain:UNE 139803: The Spanish national standard for web accessibility, aligned with WCAG 2.1.
  • Sweden:E-legitimationsnämnden’s web accessibility guidelines: These are based on WCAG 2.1 but with additional requirements specific to Sweden.
  • Netherlands:DigiToegankelijk: Dutch accessibility standard, closely aligned with WCAG but also includes specific requirements for public sector websites.

I

International:

  • WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) 2.1: Published by the W3C, these guidelines are widely recognized and serve as the basis for many national standards.

India:

  • GIGW (Guidelines for Indian Government Websites): Accessibility guidelines for government websites, incorporating WCAG principles.

Israel:

  • Israeli Standard 5568: A web accessibility standard based on WCAG, with additional local requirements.

I

International:

  • WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) 2.1: Published by the W3C, these guidelines are widely recognized and serve as the basis for many national standards.

India:

  • GIGW (Guidelines for Indian Government Websites): Accessibility guidelines for government websites, incorporating WCAG principles.

Israel:

  • Israeli Standard 5568: A web accessibility standard based on WCAG, with additional local requirements.

I

International:

  • WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) 2.1: Published by the W3C, these guidelines are widely recognized and serve as the basis for many national standards.

India:

  • GIGW (Guidelines for Indian Government Websites): Accessibility guidelines for government websites, incorporating WCAG principles.

Israel:

  • Israeli Standard 5568: A web accessibility standard based on WCAG, with additional local requirements.

J

Japan:

  • JIS X 8341-3: Japan's standard for web accessibility, aligned closely with WCAG.

S

South Korea:

  • Korean Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (KWCAG): Local guidelines based on WCAG with additional requirements.

U

Accessibility Compliance Tools

United States:

  • Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act: Mandates federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities.
  • ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act): Though not specific to digital, courts often apply it to websites and digital services.

United Kingdom:

  • Equality Act 2010: Broad anti-discrimination law that covers digital accessibility.
  • Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018: Implements WCAG 2.1 AA level for public sector websites and apps.