Digital Accessibility: A Right for All, Not Just a Privilege

Author: Jalasa Sapkota
Published: 2024/10/01 - Updated: 2024/10/08
Publication Type: Informative
Topic: Website Accessibility - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis Introduction Main

Synopsis: This article delves into specific barriers identified, offering practical recommendations based on global best practices to ensure digital platforms in Nepal are accessible to all.

Why it matters: This article highlights the critical importance of digital accessibility, particularly in Nepal, where many public websites fail to meet established accessibility standards. It discusses the findings of an audit conducted by Prayatna Nepal, which revealed numerous barriers preventing persons with disabilities from accessing vital information and services online. The article outlines four key principles of accessibility - perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust - and identifies major challenges in Nepali public websites, such as poor navigation design, illogical heading structures, and lack of captions for multimedia content. It provides practical recommendations for improving digital accessibility, including technical solutions and stakeholder engagement strategies. The article emphasizes that digital accessibility is a fundamental right, not just a privilege, and calls for collective action from government agencies, the private sector, civil society organizations, IT companies, and universities to create an inclusive digital environment - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

As the world moves further into the digital age, access to online platforms has become a fundamental necessity for participation in daily life. In Nepal, however, many public websites fail to meet established accessibility standards, leaving persons with disabilities excluded from vital information and services. This digital divide not only reinforces existing social inequalities but also deprives many individuals of their basic rights.

Main Item

Prayatna Nepal's position paper, Prioritizing Digital Accessibility for Inclusive Development, addresses this issue by assessing the accessibility of widely used public websites and mobile applications. The audit reviewed sites such as the Association of INGOs in Nepal, the National Human Rights Commission, the National Inclusion Commission, the Social Welfare Council, Tribhuvan University, the Department of Health Services, the Nepal Stock Exchange and so on. The audit, conducted using Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), revealed numerous accessibility barriers across these platforms.

This article delves into the specific barriers identified, offering practical recommendations based on global best practices to ensure digital platforms in Nepal are accessible to all.

Why This Position Paper, and Why Now?

While Nepal has made strides in physical accessibility with the Accessible Physical Structure and Communication Service Directive (2013), digital accessibility remains largely overlooked. The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified this gap, with online services becoming essential. In response, Prayatna Nepal conducted an audit in April 2022, assessing 20 public websites and 10 mobile applications. The findings reveal significant barriers to access, highlighting the need for urgent reforms.

The Four Key Principles of Accessibility

The development of inclusive digital platforms is guided by four key principles of accessibility:

1. Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presented in ways that users can perceive. This includes providing alternative text for images and ensuring that all media, such as videos, include captions and audio descriptions for users with sensory impairments.

2. Operable: The user interface and navigation should be operable by all users, including those who rely on keyboard navigation rather than a mouse. This means implementing features such as keyboard shortcuts, logical tab orders, and pause/stop buttons for auto-scrolling or slideshows. Websites should avoid any elements that trap keyboard users or prevent them from interacting effectively with the content.

3. Understandable: Websites should be designed to ensure that content is easy to read, comprehend, and navigate. Logical heading structures, meaningful link names, and consistent navigation methods enable users to find the information they need. Forms should be user-friendly, with clear instructions and error messages, making them accessible to persons with cognitive or visual impairments.

4. Robust: Content must be robust enough to be interpreted by a wide variety of assistive technologies. For instance, websites should be coded to ensure that screen readers and other assistive tools can access and present the information effectively. This includes proper use of HTML tags and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes to convey the roles and properties of user interface elements. Major Accessibility Challenges in Nepali Public Websites

An assessment of public websites in Nepal revealed several significant barriers to digital accessibility, particularly for users with disabilities:

Technical Recommendations for Improving Digital Accessibility

Based on the assessment findings, several recommendations have been proposed to enhance the accessibility of Nepal's public websites:

Stakeholder Engagement in Promoting Digital Accessibility

In addition to technical recommendations, stakeholders-including government agencies, the private sector, civil society organizations, IT companies, and universities-play a crucial role in promoting sustainable digital accessibility:

Conclusion

In the digital age, accessibility is not just a feature but a fundamental right that must be upheld for everyone. The findings outlined in this paper highlight a crucial moment for Nepal-a moment that calls for collective responsibility and commitment to inclusivity. Every step taken toward improving digital accessibility is a step toward a society that respects and values the contributions of all its members.

As we rally stakeholders from various sectors-government, private, civil society, and academia-we have the opportunity to create an equitable digital environment where barriers no longer exist and voices are amplified. Let us not merely advocate for change but be the change-makers who transform this vision into reality.

National Inclusion Commission: Are We Truly Inclusive in the Digital Age?: Is Nepal's National Inclusion Commission (NIC) truly inclusive, particularly in terms of digital accessibility.

Author Credentials:
Jalasa Sapkota is a visually impaired writer, researcher, and advocate for disability inclusion. With a background as a former Research Assistant at Diverse Patterns Limited and now as a Resource Person for the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment's (ICEVI) Gender Equality and Women's Rights Task Group, she has dedicated her career to advancing the rights and opportunities of persons with disabilities. Visit for comprehensive insights into her background, expertise, and accomplishments.

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Citing Information and Page References

Disabled World (DW) is a comprehensive online resource providing information and news related to disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility. Founded in 2004 our website covers a wide range of topics, including disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, and independent living, with the goal of supporting the disability community and their families.

Cite This Page (APA): Sapkota, J. (2024, October 1 - Last revised: 2024, October 8). Digital Accessibility: A Right for All, Not Just a Privilege. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved February 7, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/accessibility/websitedesign/digital-access.php

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