What is web accessibility?
Web accessibility means designing and developing websites so that people with disabilities can use them. Every user should be able to perceive, understand, navigate and interact with the web, regardless of their situation.
In France, over 12 million people live with a disability — nearly 20% of the population. Accessibility benefits everyone: elderly users, people with slow connections, and those with temporary disabilities.
Why does web accessibility matter?
An ethical and social issue
Access to digital information and services is a fundamental right. An inaccessible site creates a digital divide that reinforces existing inequalities.
A legal requirement
In France, digital accessibility has been a legal obligation since 2005. Non-compliance can result in fines up to 50,000 euros per year.
A business opportunity
An accessible site reaches a wider audience. Accessibility best practices also improve the experience for all users and boost SEO performance.
The legal framework in France
- Law of February 11, 2005 — The foundational text requiring public sector accessibility.
- Digital Republic Act (2016) — Extends obligations and introduces financial penalties.
- European Accessibility Act (2019/882) — Extends obligations to the private sector from June 2025.
- RGAA 4.1 — The French technical standard with 106 verifiable criteria.
WCAG and RGAA: the standards to know
The WCAG is the international standard organized around 4 principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust). The RGAA is the French implementation of WCAG with 106 operational criteria. Complying with RGAA automatically means meeting WCAG AA level.
How to get started
- Conduct an initial audit — Start with an automated scan to identify major issues.
- Prioritize fixes — Focus on keyboard navigation, alt text, contrast, and forms first.
- Train your teams — Developers, designers and content writers all play a role.
- Set up continuous monitoring — Integrate accessibility tests into your CI/CD pipeline.
- Publish your accessibility statement — Document your conformity level and action plan.