In short, digital accessibility means that software is designed to be easily and comprehensibly used by diverse audiences, including individuals with various disabilities such as visual, hearing, mobility, cognitive impairments, and others.

An english explanation of the word “accessibility” from the Cambridge online Dictionary:


1. The fact of being able to be reached or obtained easily
2. The quality of being able to be entered or used by everyone, including people who have a disability
3. The quality of being easy to understand or enjoy

Why is it important?

Digital accessibility holds significant importance for various reasons:

• It ensures equal opportunities by providing access to information and communication (one of human rights).
• It enables full social participation.
• It has economic implications as businesses can expand their customer base by reaching diverse audiences, and people with disabilities can actively participate in the job market and use technology for their career advancement.
• It drives innovation by creating more flexible, intuitive, and useful software for all.

All of this is crucial for building a more inclusive and equitable digital society.

Legal requirements

Many countries have implemented regulations and laws regarding digital accessibility, such as the European Directive on the Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications. As a result, testing digital accessibility is increasingly required and monitored by regulatory bodies.

In Poland, the Act of 4 April 2019 on the Digital Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Entities (the Act on Digital Accessibility) is in force. According to this law, a website or mobile application is considered digitally accessible if it meets the specified requirements included in the table attached to the law. This table is equivalent to the WCAG guidelines at the AA level (with minor exceptions).

Importance of testing in different usage context

During the testing of digital accessibility, it is important to empathize with different usage contexts, such as individuals with varying levels of hearing, mobility, vision, cognitive abilities, and those using assistive devices. Their limitations and challenges must be taken into account.

It is also essential to involve users with disabilities in testing during the design phase, as they can provide valuable feedback and identify potential accessibility issues.

Example difficulties encountered by blind people when using applications and websites include:

• Undescribed or incorrectly described buttons and links: This makes it unclear what will happen when they are used.
• Inability to operate elements using a keyboard: Some elements cannot be accessed or interacted with using only a keyboard, which is a challenge for blind users who rely on keyboard navigation.
• Screen reader invisibility: Buttons or other interface elements that are visible on the screen may not be recognized or announced by the screen reader, making them inaccessible to blind users.
• Lack of header structure: When the header structure is missing or improperly implemented, blind users are unable to navigate using keyboard shortcuts and are forced to read through the entire content.
• Missing alternative text: Graphics, such as images, maps, or attached charts, lack alternative text descriptions (short descriptions about what it contains).

Several aspects need to be considered during the testing of digital accessibility:

• Screen reader support: Screen readers are tools that read text from the screen and convert it into speech or output it to special devices. Websites and web applications should be optimized for screen reader support, providing appropriate header structures, labeling interactive elements, alternative descriptions for images, and proper identification of other interface elements (example of a screen reader: NVDA).
• Font flexibility: Websites and web applications should allow font size adjustments to suit individuals with low vision, enabling them to adjust the text according to their needs.
• High contrast: Good contrast between text and background is crucial for individuals with low vision. Websites or applications should provide a high contrast option or ensure appropriate color combinations.
• Alternative text for images: Blind individuals cannot perceive images visually, so providing alternative text descriptions that describe the content of the images is crucial. This allows users relying on screen readers to understand what the image represents.
• Keyboard accessibility: Websites and web applications should be fully operable using a keyboard to enable navigation and interaction for people who cannot use a mouse or other pointing devices.
• Accessible forms: Forms should be designed in a way that makes it easy for blind or visually impaired individuals to fill in fields and understand the information required.
• Transcripts and captions for multimedia: Providing transcripts for audio content and captions for video content is essential for blind or visually impaired people who cannot perceive visual information.
• Additional: Visiting the exhibition “Invisible Gdańsk” (in this case the exhibition is placed in Gdańsk but probably similar places exist all around the world) — a workplace created by blind individuals for blind individuals and in the same time a place where people without problems with sight can experience a little of a blind people perspective.

These are just a few examples to consider when testing digital accessibility for blind and visually impaired individuals.

It’s important to design and develop websites and web applications with diverse users in mind, making them accessible to everyone, regardless of their limitations.