In this article, we will talk about the need to guarantee that everyone, regardless of their abilities and means, has access to the information and resources contained on the web, and how from Panel we can contribute our bit to carry this out.
Talking about Web accessibility and its purpose
Currently there is no standard definition of the concept of web accessibility. However, according to W3C, an international reference organization in charge of developing technologies and protocols aimed at creating a universal web accessible to all, web accessibility is defined as the development of websites, tools and technologies in such a way that they are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can use them: https://www.w3.org/WAI/fundamentals/accessibility-intro/es
The University of Alicante, for its part, complements this definition by adding that web accessibility aims to ensure that the web pages are usable by the maximum number of people, regardless of their knowledge or personal abilities and regardless of the technical characteristics of the equipment used to access the Web: https://accesibilidadweb.dlsi.ua.es/
Therefore, taking into account the aforementioned definitions, we can say that Web accessibility refers to the practice of designing and creating websites in such a way that they are accessible to as many people as possible, regardless of their personal abilities and knowledge. On the other hand, it also focuses on guaranteeing the usability of the website regardless of the technical characteristics of the equipment or the connection used.
Given the importance of guaranteeing web accessibility for all people and especially after the rise of technology for such everyday tasks as working, studying or leisure, web accessibility has become a key issue addressed by international organizations.
In the following article from the official website of the European Union, https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/es/policies/web-accessibility, access to information and communication technologies, including the Web, is detailed as a basic human right in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with DisabilitiesFor this reason, these barriers must be made visible and software development promoted under the premise of making it accessible to everyone.
To all this, we add that as of June 2025, as reflected in various web pages focused on promoting equality and accessibility, such as https://www.tuwebaccesible.es/acta-europea-accesibilidad-2025/, the European Accessibility Law (EAA), which aims to prioritize the accessibility of digital products for companies and organizations in the member states of the European Union, extending its current application beyond the web portals of public administrations to also include a wide variety of digital products and services.
The principles of web accessibility
To carry out this transformation in the most optimal way possible, this new EAA Law proposes to follow the guidelines of WCAG extension. WCAG is the acronym in English for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, translated into Spanish as Accessibility Guidelines for Web Content. These standards are published as part of the W3C, the international reference organization that establishes standards for web development.
The WCAG guidelines are encompassed in Four principles to follow to create an accessible website, and after knowing them they can be summarized in:
- Perceptibility
Users must be able to understand the content and information on the website.
Serve as an example by having alternative text available for blind or deaf people, making it possible to enable subtitles and/or sign language, using easily identifiable colors for people with color blindness, etc.
- Operability
Users must be able to use the different sections of the website without limitations.
For example, being able to navigate through all the sections of the website using only the keyboard, designing the website in such a way that the risks of an epileptic seizure are minimized or providing different means to carry out the same process, among other actions.
- Understanding
The contents must be presented in a way that is easy to understand.
To do this, clear and concise language must be used, with an appropriate font size and developing clean and orderly pages, discarding excess information.
- Robustness
The website must be correctly built, so that it is compatible with the greatest number of devices and technologies.
To achieve this, we must structure software development in such a way that we can operate on the web from any device, browser or operating system, including assistive technologies such as screen readers.
How do we achieve Web accessibility?
In view of the extension of the EAA law to the majority of digital services in June 2025, previously analyzed, a group of people from the Panel wanted to form a Community of Practice to which we have called QAccessibility. In it, we collaborate together to better understand how to help people with disabilities have assured and equal access to the Internet, also facilitating compliance with the EAA law for organizations.
For my part, and after seeing how important and necessary it is, I did not hesitate to sign up when Panel launched the idea of being part of this community, since helping disadvantaged groups is something necessary and should be part of our way of life.
Inside the team QAccessibility, and to ensure compliance with the standards set by WCAG, it is necessary to define some strategies that are useful to achieve a website accessible to the majority of users. To carry it out, we are laying the foundations to guide the work of our Community around the following points:
- Accessible Technologies
Ensuring the compatibility of the Web with assistive software such as screen readers (for example, JAWS, https://www.freedomsci.de/serv01esn.htm, for Windows) and hardware, such as alternative keyboards, gesture detectors and other devices that facilitate navigation. You can expand information and see more examples of hardware and technologies accessible through the website https://web.ua.es/es/accesibilidad/tecnologias-accesibles.html
- Universal Design
Developing interfaces that are clean and intuitive, being understandable to the largest possible number of users, offering coherent navigation using simple language. A great example of an accessible, clean website that everyone knows is the Google search engine.
- Adaptability and Flexibility
Allow users to personalize the experience of browsing a website according to their needs, being able to modify, for example, the size of the text or the browsing speed, offering different interaction options between the different sections. It is interesting to see the web as an example https://www.paralympic.org/es, which can be navigated entirely with the keyboard and offers an accessible menu in the upper right corner with different optimizations so that it can be used by all users.
- Compliance with Standards (WCAG)
Taking into account and ensuring compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to guarantee compliance with international standards, contained in the following link: https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/new-in-21/es
Towards a universally accessible Web
Web accessibility is an investment in creating a digital space where everyone can fully participate. By adopting this philosophy in web design, we not only comply with regulations, but we build a digital bridge that connects all people, breaking barriers and building a more inclusive future.
Making a website accessible will not only serve to make it useful to more people and comply with the EAA, it will also provide us with significant advantages not previously contemplated, such as experiencing a increase in potential visits, an improvement in the SEO (search engine positioning), higher loading rate y better compatibility with different browsers and devices.
I conclude this article by launching a personal reflection in view of the information and data provided, and that is that web accessibility is presented to us as a powerful tool to promote inclusion and equal opportunities in society. By ensuring that all people, regardless of physical or cognitive abilities, can access online information and services, We are building a fairer and more accessible digital world for everyone.
Must also think that accessibility not only favors access to these technologies for people with disabilities, but also improve navigation over the network for a wide range of users, including the elderly, those with poor internet connections or outdated mobile devices, and even those in temporary incapacitating situations, such as a temporary injury.
By prioritizing accessibility, we will not only meet moral and legal standards, but we will also be supporting a more inclusive network for all members of our society.
You can learn more about our work in the field of web usability and accessibility in our Quality Experience area.
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