The Act on the Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications (ZDSMA)

The Act on the Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications (ZDSMA)

If you are looking for a high-quality marketing agency that can create accessible websites compliant with the WCAG 2.1 guidelines and the Act on the Accessibility of Websites and mobile applications (ZDSMA), we invite you to get in touch with our Pakt agency.

The agency is committed to providing the highest level of quality and expertise in creating accessible websites that will attract new customers and increase sales of your products or services. Our team of highly trained experts will carefully design your website to suit your specific needs and goals.

We guarantee that your website will be accessible to all users, regardless of their special needs or limitations, and that the technologies used will provide long-term accessibility.

Our agency has many years of experience and acquired expertise in the field of website design and development. We believe that, with our help, you can achieve your goals and attract new customers to your website.

If you are interested in our services, get in touch with us and we will be happy to introduce you to our way of working and the solutions we can offer for your business strategy. We are happy to welcome you to our agency.

Accessibility is an important value that all websites should follow.

The Act on the Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications (ZDSMA)

The Act on the Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications (ZDSMA) is a law that was passed in Slovenia in 2018, and includes requirements for ensuring the accessibility of websites and mobile applications for people with special needs.

Application of the law

In line with the Act on the Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications (ZDSMA), the law applies to state authorities, the bodies of self-governing local communities, and persons of public law under the law governing public procurement. This means that public bodies and institutions, such as state authorities, municipalities, and other public institutions, are required to follow these guidelines and ensure the accessibility of their websites and mobile applications for all users, including those with special needs.

Beyond that, the ZDSMA also encourages private providers of websites and mobile applications to ensure the accessibility of their websites and mobile applications for all users, not just those with limitations of sight, hearing, mobility, or cognitive challenges. Although the ZDSMA does not place a direct obligation on private providers, they are encouraged to follow the WCAG 2.1 guidelines and ensure accessibility for all users.

Key points to follow on a website in line with the ZDSMA include:

  • Accessibility: The website has to be accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities or limitations.
  • Clarity: The website has to be clear and understandable for all users, including those with limitations in mental and cognitive development.
  • Navigation: Users have to be able to easily navigate the website and access all content, regardless of which device they are using.
  • Ease of use: The website has to be easy to use and include features that make use easier, such as enlarging the text and accessibility with the keyboard.
  • Design: The design of the website has to follow best practices and enable accessibility for all users.
  • Inclusion: All content, including images, audio, and video, has to be accessible to all users, including those with limitations of sight or hearing.
  • Use of technologies: The website has to be built using technologies that enable accessibility, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
  • Accessibility reporting: The website has to provide information about accessibility and the ability for users to report any accessibility issues.

If you want to ensure that your website is in line with the ZDSMA, you can check it using accessibility tools, such as WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool). Beyond that, you can also use guidelines and recommendations, such as the WCAG 2.1 guidelines (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), which can help you improve the accessibility of your website.

How we technically follow the directions of the law:

  1. We ensure the clarity and understandability of the website with clean and clear design, clear headings and text, and understandable instructions for use. We can also use simple and understandable words and avoid the use of complicated words that can confuse children or people with limitations in mental development.
  2. We can make the website easy to use with simple and clear navigation, and with the option of using the keyboard instead of the mouse. We can also ensure access to all content, so that all links and buttons are easily accessible.
  3. We arrange features that help users with limitations of sight or hearing, such as subtitles for videos, (ALT) descriptions of images for users with limitations of sight, and the option of enlarging the text and adjusting the contrast.
  4. We use technologies that ensure accessibility, such as HTML5 and CSS3, which support the accessibility and mobility of websites.
  5. We make the website perceivable for all users, including those with limitations of sight or hearing, with the use of high colour contrast, large text, and clearly arranged elements.
  6. We use guidelines for website design, such as the UI Design Guidelines, which include clear images, graphics, and videos.
  7. We use technologies that ensure long-term accessibility, such as ‘responsive design’ and ‘cross-browser compatibility’, which allow the website to work on all devices and browsers.
  8. On the website, we provide information about accessibility and the ability for users to report any accessibility issues, for example through a contact form available on every page of the website.

The WCAG 2.1 guidelines

The WCAG 2.1 guidelines (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1) are international standards for ensuring the accessibility of websites. They were developed by a group of experts in the field of accessibility, with the aim of helping web creators improve the accessibility of websites for people with special needs.

The WCAG 2.1 guidelines focus on four key areas, called the ‘principles of accessibility’, which include:

  • Perceivability: Websites have to be perceivable for all users, including those with special needs. This means that content has to be easily perceivable, including for users with limitations of sight or hearing.
  • Usability: Websites have to be easy to use and navigate, including for users with limitations of motor abilities or cognitive challenges.
  • Understandability: Websites have to be understandable for all users, including those with limitations in mental and cognitive development. Content and features have to be clearly described and understandable.
  • Robustness: Websites have to be built using technologies that ensure long-term accessibility, including for users with various types of browsers and devices.

Each principle of accessibility also includes a number of guidelines and technological recommendations that have to be followed in order to ensure the accessibility of websites for all users. The WCAG 2.1 guidelines are intended for everyone involved in the creation, design, and maintenance of websites, including developers, designers, writers, and editors of online content.

Summary

Building websites is key to achieving success in today’s digital world. With the Act on the Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications, accessibility has become even more important. Your website can be taken care of by us, experts in website development, who will follow the ZDSMA and WCAG 2.1 guidelines and make sure that your website is accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities or limitations.

Get in touch with us for free advice on building your website and secure a competitive edge online.

Read also