Website Accessibility Standards Knowledgebase

The EAA is an accessibility law mandating uniform standards for digital products and services across the European common market. It ensures barrier-free access to websites, apps, e-commerce platforms, and hardware interfaces for users with disabilities.

Title III of the ADA requires businesses and public organizations to adhere to website accessibility standards and ensure their websites and mobile applications offer equal access to individuals with disabilities through appropriate design and assistive technology compatibility.

Developed by the W3C, WCAG provides a set of website accessibility standards to enhance digital access through principles of Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust design (POUR) with A, AA, and AAA conformance levels.

W3C is the main international body that acts as a global accessibility guide, developing protocols that ensure the long-term growth of the World Wide Web, including the creation and maintenance of WCAG and ARIA digital accessibility standards.

GDPR governs the collection, processing, and storage of personal data for EU citizens in a lawful way that requires organizations to maintain transparent data practices, user content, and robust security measures to ensure digital privacy and compliance.

The UK’s Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018 mandates WCAG 2.1 AA level compliance for public-facing websites and apps, reinforcing equal access to digital content in a post-Brexit environment in alignment with the UK’s Equality Act 2010.

This European harmonized accessibility standard outlines specific requirements for ICT products and services, aligning them with WCAG and the EAA. It serves as a benchmark for public procurement of accessible solutions in the European Union digital environment.

Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) defines a set of attributes that enhance HTML for screen readers and assistive technologies that make dynamic web content more navigable and understandable for users battling vision or mobility impairments.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act is a US accessibility law that requires federal agencies to provide electronic and information technology access for people with disabilities in compliance with WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a standardized framework vendors use to disclose compliance of their products and services with accessibility standards, aiding procurement decisions in the private and public sectors in line with Section 508 and WCAG.

As a project of W3C, the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) develops strategies, technical specifications, and support materials needed to guide the implementation of WCAG and ARIA, and improve digital accessibility for people with disabilities.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits disability-based discrimination in federally funded programs and services, requiring educational institutions and government agencies to ensure digital platforms are fully accessible to all users.

The Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG), passed on June 28, 2025, is a German law that sets accessibility standards for specific products and services to guarantee equal access for individuals with disabilities.