Digital Accessibility: The Foundation of an Inclusive Online Experience
Digital accessibility is essential for an inclusive online experience. Whether you work for a government agency, a commercial organization, or a non-profit, it’s important that your digital services are usable by everyone – including people with disabilities. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the international standard for digital accessibility and are built around four fundamental principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. Together, these form the foundation for accessible websites and applications.
In this blog, we’ll explore each of these principles and explain what they mean in practice.
1. Perceivable
Information and user interface components must be perceivable to everyone. This means that content must be available in multiple forms so that people with different impairments can access the information.
Examples in practice:
Provide text alternatives for images (such as alt texts).
Add captions to videos.
Ensure sufficient color contrast between text and background.
Use proper structure with headings and lists for screen readers.
💡 Ask yourself: Can all content on my website be perceived in multiple ways?
2. Operable
Users must be able to operate the interface, regardless of their abilities. This applies to both navigation and interactive elements.
Examples in practice:
Ensure everything is operable using a keyboard (without a mouse).
Use clear focus styles so users can see where they are on the page.
Avoid flashing content that could trigger epileptic seizures.
Provide users with enough time to complete actions (such as filling out forms).
💡 Ask yourself: Can everyone navigate my site or app easily, even without a mouse?
3. Understandable
The information and the operation of the interface must be understandable. Visitors should not only be able to read the content but also understand how to interact with it.
Examples in practice:
Use clear and simple language.
Provide consistent navigation and layout across all pages.
Offer clear error messages and suggestions for correction when form input is incorrect.
💡 Ask yourself: Is it clear to everyone what is expected of them when using my digital service?
4. Robust
Content must be robust, meaning it should function reliably across a wide range of user agents, such as browsers and assistive technologies (e.g., screen readers).
Examples in practice:
Use valid HTML and ARIA labels.
Test on multiple devices and browsers.
Ensure compatibility with future technologies.
💡 Ask yourself: Does my site work well with assistive tools like screen readers or voice control?
In Conclusion
The WCAG principles are not technical obstacles but guidelines that help create a better, more inclusive user experience. By using these four principles as a starting point in the design and development of digital products, you not only ensure compliance with legislation such as the Dutch Digital Government Act or the European Accessibility Act, but more importantly, you contribute to a digital world that includes everyone.
Would you like to know how your website or application scores on these four principles? Feel free to contact us for tailored advice.