Digital Accessibility
Digital accessibility means that everyone can use your website, app, or online service, including people with disabilities. Think of someone who is blind and relies on a screen reader, or someone who can’t navigate with a mouse. By making your digital product accessible, you ensure that no one is left out. It’s not only good for your users, but also for your business.
Since June 2025, companies in the Netherlands (and the rest of Europe) are often legally required to offer their digital products in an accessible way. Even if the obligation doesn’t apply to you, it still pays to take action. Accessible products are more user-friendly, easier to reach, and better for your brand. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we can guide you every step of the way.
The components of digital accessibility
Semantic HTML
Using correct HTML tags, such as <header>, <nav>, and <main>, helps screen readers logically interpret and navigate a website’s content.
ALT-texts
Images and visual elements become accessible by adding alternative text, allowing people with visual impairments to understand what is being shown.
Contrast and Colors
Colors must offer sufficient contrast to ensure readability, especially for people with visual impairments such as color blindness.
Navigation and keyboard accessibility
Websites should be easy to navigate without a mouse; for example, using only the keyboard. This is essential for users with motor impairments.
Subtitles and Transcriptions
Videos and audio content should include captions and transcripts, so that people who are deaf or hard of hearing can access the information.
Responsive design
Digital products must function well on different devices, so that users with, for example, a magnified screen or speech recognition technology face no barriers.
Is digital accessibility legally required?
Since June 2025 the European accessibility directive also applies to Dutch businesses. Previously only public and semi public organisations were obliged to make their websites accessible, now commercial companies must do so as well. Think of webshops, banks and travel agencies, essentially any service with a digital offering. You can find the list of online products that must comply with the law here.
In the legislation this is called the European Accessibility Act, EAA. In short, if your product or service is offered online to the public, you have to meet certain requirements, which means complying with the WCAG.
What is WCAG?
WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, an international set of rules that explain how to make digital products accessible. The current version, WCAG 2.1, is based on four principles, your content must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
Sounds abstract? A few examples:
Perceivable: text must be easy to read, even with high contrast or through a screen reader.
Operable: your site must be fully navigable using only a keyboard.
Understandable: the content must be clear and predictable, no confusing navigation or jargon.
Robust: the code must work well with assistive technologies, such as screen readers.
The advantages of a digitally accessible product
Better visibility (SEO)
Search engines appreciate accessible content. Alt text, clear heading structures, and semantic HTML help both screen readers and Google bots understand your page. This leads to higher rankings, more organic traffic, and lower advertising costs. Accessibility is therefore a practical and lasting way to strengthen your SEO strategy.
Wider reach and higher conversion
The Netherlands has more than two million people with a disability, and many others benefit too, including older users, people with temporary injuries, or travellers on slow connections. By excluding no one you enlarge your potential audience considerably. More visitors who can buy, fill in forms, or book without hurdles translate directly into higher revenue.
Stronger brand value and customer loyalty
Companies that embrace inclusivity build trust and goodwill. An accessible site shows that you take everyone seriously, which encourages positive reviews, word of mouth, and repeat purchases. It is also a powerful signal in tenders and B2B relations where corporate social responsibility counts more every year.
Fewer legal and financial risks
Since 28 June 2025 many digital products must comply with the European Accessibility Act. Following the WCAG guidelines lowers the chance of complaints, lawsuits, or fines. You avoid costs and reputational damage later while the investment up front is usually modest.