Regulations regarding digital accessibility have been around for years, but it's an area that is only now coming to the fore. All too often, we have seen sectors with legislative accessibility requirements (such as the US airlines industry) hit a surprisingly low bar or, arguably worse, for individual sites to reach a WCAG 2.0 AA rating before seeing that fall away over the following months due to lack of monitoring and maintenance.

It now looks like all this is set to change, with requirements for public sector enforcement in Europe and an increasing amount of litigation of non-compliant sites in the US over the last year. Indeed, it seems like the conversation is only just beginning.

At Sitemorse, we aim to have a comprehensive understanding of digital accessibility standards around the world - with most national regulations being, at heart, based on the WCAG 2.0 checkpoints. Here is a guide to the legislation on a country-by-country basis for countries across the world.

 

Australia

Standard: WCAG 2.0 A / AA

Standard: Disability Discrimination Act 1992

All government and non-government websites to comply with WCAG 2 A / AA by end of 2013.

 

Canada

Standard: WCAG 2.0 A / AA

Legislation: Human Rights Act 1977

Standard on Web Accessibility.

 

EU

Standard: WCAG 2.0 A / AA

Legislation: European Parliament Resolution (2002) 0325

Required for all EU commission websites - see EUROPA - Web accessibility policy. EN 301 549 (9.3, page 44) ISO/IEC 40500_2012.

 

France

Standard: RGAA 3 (Basis WCAG 2.0)

Legislation: Law No 2005-102, Article 47

Updated from RGAA 2.2 in April 2015, to take account of new technologies like HTML5 and ARIA. RGAA 2.2 required for all French central government websites May 2011. French “all” public sector, type / funded sites by are required to comply by May 2012. Loi n° 2005-102 du 11 février 2005 pour l’égalité des droits et des chances, la participation et la citoyenneté des personnes handicapées (1) Code de l'action sociale et des familles.

 

Germany

Standard: BITV 2 (Basis of Federal Disabled WCAG 2.0)

Legislation: Equalization Law (BGG)

BITV 2 came into force on Sept 22, 2011 covering all government websites. It is based on WCAG 2, not exactly but very close.

 

Hong Kong

Standard: WCAG 2.0 AA

WCAG 2 AA became the standard for GovHK websites in March 2012.

 

India

Standard: Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (based on WCAG 2.0 A)

WCAG 2 Level A became the standard for government websites early 2009 by Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedures (CSMOP). Now part of the Government of India through its National e-Governance Plan (NeGP). Required and tested by STQC. Gov. Web manual 7.5, (n) Pages 103.

 

Ireland

Standard: WCAG 2.0 AA

Legislation: The Disability Act 2005

All government websites - Revised, Aug 2016.  Disability Act 2005.

Universal Design Guidance for Online Public Services Docs Page 24, 2.8 / WCAG is fundamental Page 28, 2.8.

 

Israel

Standard: WCAG 2.0 AA

Legislation: Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law, 5758- 1998

All government websites, and websites of businesses with annual turnover of 500,000 ILS (approx USD $14,0000 - Sep17) - Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (page 4 onwards).

 

Italy

Standard: Technical Rules of Law 4/2004 (updated to WCAG 2.0 in September 2013)

Legislation: Law No. 4/2004 (Stanca Law)

Accessibilità - required for all government websites.

Guida pratica per la creazione di un documento accessibile - doc creation, adherence to WCAG 2.

‘Strategia per la crescita digitale’ (Strategy for digital growth).

 

Japan

Standard: X 8341-3:2016 (identical to WCAG 2.0)

Identical to ISO/IEC 40500:2012, which is itself identical to WCAG 2. Required for all local and central government websites. Web Accessibly Infrastructure Committee (no English available).

 

Korea

Standard: WCAG 2.0 A / AA Act on

Legislation: Welfare of Persons with Disabilities

Version 2.1 of their standards, KCS.OT-10.0003/R1, 2010.12.3 - main document.

 

Netherlands

Standard: WCAG 2.0 A / AA

Government websites must comply with the government web guidelines, which include WCAG 2 AA.

 

New Zealand

Standard: EN 301 549 versie 1.1.2 WCAG 2.0 A / AA

Legislation: Human Rights Amendment Act 2001

Web Accessibility Standard 1.0 (WCAG 2 AA with some exceptions) required for all government websites.

 

Ontario

Standard: AODA (WCAG 2.0 AA) 14(1)

The Government of Ontario and the Legislative Assembly shall make their internet and intranet websites and web content conform with the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, at Level AA, and shall do so in accordance with the schedule set out in this section.

 

Quebec

Standard: SGQRI 008 (based on WCAG 2.0)

Legislation: Standards sur l’accessibilité du Web

Adaptation of the WCAG2.0 standard, also covers media, docs etc. The main detail of requirements can be found here at pages 86 onwards.

 

Spain

Standard: UNE 139803:2012 (updated in 2012 to WCAG 2.0 AA)

Legislation: Law 34/2002, Law 51/2003

All government websites need to meet the standard.

Accesibilidad ‘All of the AA level compliance criteria for WCAG 2.0 must be met. ‘

 

Switzerland

Standard: WCAG 2.0 A / AA

Legislation: Federal Law on the Elimination of Inequalities for Persons with Disabilities, as amended

Web content accessibility of the government, P028 and eCH-0059:Accessibility Standard 2008.

 

United Kingdom

Standard: WCAG 2.0 AA

Legislation: Equality Act 2010

The GDS Service Manual states the requirement for WCAG 2 AA for UK government websites. Specifics of accessibility can be found here.

As a minimum, your service must meet Level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0.

 

 

USA

Standard: Section 508 (WCAG 2.0 AA)

Legislation: Section 508 of Rehabilitation Act Workforce Investment Act of 1998 Section 255 of the Comms. Act

On January 18, 2017, the Board published a final rule that updates the Section 508 Standards along with accessibility guidelines for telecommunication products and equipment covered by section 255 of the Communications Act. The Section 508 Standards apply to electronic and information technology procured by the federal government, including computer hardware and software, websites, multimedia such as video, phone systems, and copiers. The Section 255 Guidelines address access to telecommunications products and services, and apply to manufacturers of telecommunication equipment. (also considered as § 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended by Title IV of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998).

Incorporation of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

Comparison Table of WCAG 2.0 to Existing 508 Standards

 

Global

Standard: WCAG 2.0

Legislation: 14 CFR Parts 382 and 399 49 CFR Part 27

12th December 2016 marked the final deadline for airlines to comply with the US DOT / Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). ‘Websites must conform to the standard for accessibility contained in the widely accepted Website Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and meet the Level AA Success Criteria’ here at page 8+.

To read our full accessibility report, go here: Accessibility: Pragmatic Steps Towards Compliance

Image: PxHere