*This article is an English translation of a Japanese article.
The “Accessibility Standards for Public Websites” is a set of criteria established to ensure accessibility in the operation of public websites in Japan. These standards are aimed at ensuring that websites operated by public institutions are easy to use for everyone, including people with disabilities and the elderly. The goal is to provide an environment where everyone can easily access information. This article explains the overview of the “Accessibility Standards for Public Websites,” its key points, the structure of the criteria, and advice for implementation.
1. Overview of the Accessibility Standards for Public Websites
The “Accessibility Standards for Public Websites” is a guideline established by the Japanese government in 2005 and revised in 2016 to enhance accessibility in public websites. This model is based on the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), an international standard, and provides clear criteria for website operators of public institutions to follow.
Main Objectives
- Providing accessible information for everyone: Ensuring that all users, including people with disabilities and the elderly, can access information equally through public websites.
- Offering accessible content: Ensuring that the content provided by public institutions meets the diverse needs of all users.
- Continuous operation and improvement: Encouraging the maintenance and continuous improvement of accessibility during website operations.
2. Structure of the Accessibility Standards
The “Accessibility Standards for Public Websites” are designed in compliance with WCAG 2.0 Level A and Level AA requirements. These standards evaluate web content based on the following four principles:
2.1 Perceivable
- Providing text alternatives: Ensuring that images and videos are accompanied by alternative text to make their content understandable for users with visual impairments.
- Color contrast: Securing sufficient contrast between text and background colors to improve readability for users with low vision.
2.2 Operable
- Keyboard operability: Ensuring that all functions can be operated using only the keyboard, supporting users who find it difficult to use a mouse.
- Adjustable time limits: Allowing users to adjust any time limits imposed on interactions, thus assisting users with cognitive disabilities or those who require more time to navigate the website.
2.3 Understandable
- Using clear and consistent language: Avoiding complicated terms and using clear, understandable language for all users.
- Consistent navigation: Ensuring that the navigation structure is intuitive and consistent, helping users avoid confusion while browsing the website.
2.4 Robust
- Compatibility with assistive technologies: Ensuring that the content is compatible with various assistive technologies, such as screen readers.
- Proper markup usage: Ensuring correct usage of HTML and CSS to allow assistive technologies to accurately interpret the content.
3. Importance of the Accessibility Standards
The “Accessibility Standards for Public Websites” provide a foundation for creating websites that everyone can use. By adhering to these standards, public institutions can achieve the following benefits:
- Promoting an inclusive society: Accessible public websites ensure equal access to information for everyone, contributing to a more inclusive society.
- Meeting legal requirements: In Japan, improving web accessibility is legally required, and following these standards helps reduce legal risks.
- Enhancing trust and transparency: Offering accessible websites increases public trust and helps ensure transparent governance by public institutions.
4. Advice for Implementation
Here are some important points to keep in mind when implementing and improving websites based on the accessibility standards:
- Consider accessibility from the start: Address accessibility in the initial design and development stages of the website. Retrofitting accessibility features later can be costly and less effective.
- Regular evaluations and improvements: Continuously evaluate the accessibility of the website after it goes live and make improvements. Actively collect feedback from users to guide ongoing enhancements.
- Collaborate with accessibility experts: Working with experts on accessibility can help ensure a higher level of compliance with the standards.
- Provide user education and support: Ensure users are aware of the accessibility features and provide guidance or support for utilizing them effectively.
The “Accessibility Standards for Public Websites” is an essential guideline to ensure that everyone can equally access public information. By adhering to these standards, public institutions can create websites that are easy for everyone to use, contributing to a more inclusive and fair society. Website operators and developers are encouraged to continuously strive to improve accessibility in line with these standards.
We have released the UUU Web Accessibility Widget Tool, designed to make web accessibility easy to implement. This tool helps improve the accessibility of websites quickly and efficiently, even without specialized knowledge.
If you’re interested in enhancing your website’s accessibility, please check out the details. We are here to support you in making your website more user-friendly and accessible to a wider audience.