WCAG-proof online
25.04.2023
Websites and apps should be functional and visually appealing. Check. Additionally, in 2023, it's a no-brainer that websites should be fast, secure, and responsive. However, accessibility (A11Y) is rarely described as one of the requirements and desires that an application must meet. That can and should be improved.
Since 2020, government agencies have been required to meet a list of criteria based on the WCAG. On June 28, 2025, the European Accessibility Act will be implemented in all EU member states. Currently, governments are already required to comply with the WCAG standard, but from that moment on, it will also apply to webshops. This includes considerations for bank ATMs, public transport top-up points, phones, and smartwatches.
To make websites and webshops more accessible, at Redkiwi, we ensure that accessibility is part of our DNA. We focus on providing sufficient contrast and space in our designs, along with a clear user experience (UX). In development, we strive for an optimal balance between technical accessibility, high performance, and optimal SEO support.
In addition to the legal obligation to comply with WCAG guidelines in 2025, organizations also miss out on significant revenue. Consumers with disabilities often click away and spend their money elsewhere. Dutch e-commerce companies lose approximately €3.4 billion in annual revenue because people with disabilities click away from inaccessible websites. This is also referred to as the "click-away euro."
For optimal accessibility, we work with the most up-to-date techniques based on current standards. Alongside semantically correct HTML code, we use ARIA labels, and we measure accessibility using various tools such as Google Lighthouse and Wave.
In addition to the technical aspect (as the WCAG guidelines are quite technical), the content on the page is equally important. This includes clear text in the appropriate language, images with descriptions, and subtitles for videos. Clarity can be enhanced by using clear titles and headings. Therefore, the page title should accurately describe its content, and headings should describe the subject or purpose of the corresponding paragraphs. It's also important to associate alt-text and title text with images.
As a digital agency, we are often at the forefront of website and webshop development and innovation. Legal and regulatory frameworks often follow digital advancements. However, when it comes to accessibility, it seems that the reverse is happening. By mandating compliance with at least WCAG 2.1 A & AA, the government is setting the standard.
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