Website Accessibility – A Digital Right for Everyone

At first glance, it may seem that the number of people with disabilities is small. However, when we consider that approximately 13% of people in Slovenia have disabilities and around 20% are older adults, we find that as many as 32% of the population require certain adaptations.

Various types of disabilities can influence how people perceive, understand, and use web content. Each brings unique challenges in accessing information and interacting with the digital environment.

• Visual impairments include blindness, low vision, color blindness, or other visual disorders. Users with these impairments often use screen readers (e.g., Braille display), screen magnifiers, or high-contrast color schemes.
• Hearing impairments include deafness or partial hearing loss, which can hinder access to audio content such as videos or podcasts. Important solutions include captions, transcripts, and sign language translations.
• Motor impairments include limited mobility of hands, tremors, inability to use hands, etc. Users may rely on alternative input methods such as a keyboard instead of a mouse, specialized mice, or voice control.
• Cognitive impairments cover conditions such as dyslexia, attention disorders, autism, or learning difficulties. These users may need simpler language, accessible fonts, a clear content structure, and so on.
• Speech impairments affect the ability to communicate through speech, which is important when using voice-based features. Alternative input methods (e.g., typing) are essential.
• Combined impairments mean a person has more than one type of disability (e.g., blindness and motor impairment), requiring even more extensive adaptations.

In Slovenia, two laws currently regulate the area of web accessibility:

The Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications Act (ZDSMA), in effect since 2018, applies to public sector bodies – state authorities, local government bodies, and other public entities. Among other things, it requires an accessibility statement to be prepared and updated at least once a year.

The Accessibility to Products and Services for Persons with Disabilities Act (ZDPSI), in effect since June 28, 2025. This law introduces accessibility requirements for certain private sector providers – including banks, online shops, e-book providers, transportation companies, etc.

The WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) were developed by the WAI working group under the W3C organization to create standards for accessible websites. These guidelines were formed in collaboration with experts in user experience, technology, design, and people with disabilities.

They are based on four principles: content must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust, allowing a comprehensive approach to web accessibility. Some examples of the guidelines designed with specific disabilities in mind:

• People with visual impairments or blindness use screen readers that read out the website text. For them, it is crucial that graphic elements have descriptions that accurately explain image content.
• Users with cognitive impairments may struggle with complex texts or navigation. One of the guidelines therefore encourages the use of simple, clear language.

Web accessibility doesn’t happen by accident or magically after a website is launched. Accessibility must be included in all stages of a website project: from planning, design, and development to pre-launch testing.

• Planning: The client and provider must align expectations regarding accessibility. The chosen level of compliance depends on the target audience. Guidelines must be included in project documentation and wireframes.
• Design: Accessibility guidelines are even more important during design. Designers must ensure sufficient color contrast, consistent functional elements, adequate spacing, etc. A “beautiful” design is not necessarily accessible, but an accessible design should benefit all users, not just those with disabilities.
• Development (programming): Developers must have sufficient knowledge and experience and use semantic HTML, proper tags for headings, lists, forms, etc. Content should be structured logically, be keyboard-accessible, and special attention should be paid to form elements.
• Content creation: Editors who manage the content after launch must be knowledgeable in writing alt-text for images, adding captions and transcripts for audio/video, and using correct heading structures.
• Testing: Accessibility testing must occur throughout the development process, not just at the end. Tools such as WAVE, Axe, or Lighthouse are used for automated testing, alongside manual testing. The best approach is testing with real users with disabilities – their experience reveals how intuitive the website is in practice. This testing is invaluable and consistently uncovers issues that tools or developers miss.

Web accessibility should not merely be about meeting legal obligations – it should reflect an organization’s maturity and respect for all users. Organizations that proactively integrate accessibility into their processes will be better prepared for the future and will reach a wider user base, which will also positively impact their business results.

When redesigning the extensive government portal gov.si, special attention was paid to ensuring and improving website accessibility. For the central portal of public administration, accessibility is not only a legal obligation but a sign of respect for all citizens of Slovenia. The project aimed to provide all user groups, regardless of abilities or limitations, with equal access to government information and services.

Colors and Contrast

The website was designed in accordance with WCAG color contrast recommendations. Sufficient contrast between text and background is ensured, making content readable for users with vision impairments or color blindness. Information is not conveyed by color alone; additional visual cues (e.g., icons) help users understand content.

Clear Structure and Hierarchy

The website features a clear visual hierarchy with consistent use of headings and subheadings, making it easy to navigate. Headings are consistently styled, improving readability and user experience. Navigation is uniform across all pages – menus, headers, footers, and other key elements are consistent, providing users with a predictable and stable experience.

Keyboard Accessibility and Skip to Content

All site functionality is accessible without a mouse. Interactive elements – such as links, buttons, and forms – are accessible via keyboard. Focus indicators are clearly visible, helping users navigate the site. A “Skip to content” button is available at the top of each page, allowing users to bypass repetitive elements like navigation and headers – especially helpful for screen reader users or those relying solely on the keyboard.

Alternative Text for Graphics

All informative graphical elements include proper alternative text (alt attributes), ensuring content is accessible to users who cannot see the images. Decorative elements are correctly marked so they don’t unnecessarily interfere with assistive technologies. Editors create these alternative descriptions, focusing on meaning and context. This also applies to complex visuals like charts and tables, which include descriptive titles and key data summaries.

Semantic HTML Structure

Using correct semantic HTML structure improves compatibility with assistive technologies such as screen readers. The site supports zooming up to 200% without losing functionality or information. Additionally, it is responsive and displays properly across various screen sizes and orientations (portrait and landscape).

Website accessibility is not a one-time project but an ongoing process that requires continuous attention, adaptation, and improvement. There are no shortcuts.

The entire INNOVATIF team – technical and editorial – remains committed: to create a digital environment that is as inclusive and accessible as possible for all users – today, tomorrow, and in the future.