Toward a Web for Everyone: A Comprehensive Guide to Web Accessibility and the Latest Trends
Web accessibility is the design philosophy that ensures all people—regardless of age, disability, or circumstances—can access information and services on the internet equally. It benefits not only people with disabilities but also seniors, non-native speakers, and those with temporary limitations due to caregiving, injury, or environment. Accessibility forms the foundation of a society that “leaves no one behind.” This article provides a complete overview of web accessibility, covering legal frameworks, guidelines, tools, services, and government initiatives.
Who This Article Is For
- Website managers in companies and municipalities
- Engineers and designers involved in web development
- Executives and PR personnel engaged in sustainability and CSR
- Professionals in sectors requiring inclusive information delivery
- Marketers aiming to design user-friendly websites
Accessibility is not just about “consideration”—it’s a strategic imperative. Today, it’s a vital topic for everyone involved in web-related roles.
What Is Web Accessibility?
Web accessibility refers to making web content usable for everyone. This includes people with visual, auditory, and physical disabilities; aging users; those with limited devices; and people in constrained environments (e.g., unable to use sound on a train).
Examples of accessibility considerations include:
- Making content readable by screen readers for blind users
- Providing captions or sign language for deaf users
- Ensuring full keyboard navigation
- Designing information that doesn’t rely solely on color cues
Accessibility is part of universal design—it’s not about removing barriers after the fact, but designing inclusively from the beginning.
Legal Background and Company Obligations
With the April 2024 revision of Japan’s “Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities,” private companies are now legally required to provide “reasonable accommodation.” This means companies must support users who face difficulties due to disability in accessing their services.
Examples of reasonable accommodations include:
- Offering alternatives such as audio guidance or text magnification
- Providing content in multiple formats (e.g., HTML in addition to PDF)
- Assistance through support centers, including screen reading or proxy operations
In web contexts, “environmental preparation” refers to designing accessibility features proactively—not waiting for individual user requests.
Japan’s Standard: Overview of JIS X 8341-3
The technical standard for web accessibility in Japan is JIS X 8341-3:2016, based on WCAG 2.0. It is divided into three levels:
- Level A: Minimum compliance (25 criteria)
- Level AA: Recommended for public institutions (38 criteria)
- Level AAA: Advanced, optional compliance (23 criteria)
Examples of JIS requirements:
- Clear page titles
- Proper markup for headings and lists
- Use of
alttext for images - Keyboard operability
- Color contrast standards
- Avoidance of color-dependent information
- Properly labeled forms
Even one overlooked error can compromise accessibility sitewide—systematic compliance is essential.
International Guidelines: Relationship with WCAG
JIS X 8341-3 aligns with the international Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The latest version is WCAG 2.2, which strengthens support for cognitive disabilities and mobile use.
Highlights of WCAG 2.2:
- Backward-compatible with WCAG 2.0/2.1
- Emphasizes cognitive accessibility, low vision, and touch interaction
- Adds practical success criteria (e.g., target size requirements)
Companies seeking international presence should align with WCAG 2.2 to build credibility with global partners and users.
Implementation and Evaluation: Combining Tools and Human Review
Effective accessibility requires both automated tools and human judgment.
Common Tools
- miChecker (by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications)
- UUU Accessibility Validation Tool
- WAVE (international)
However, tools can only detect 20–30% of issues. Human review is essential for areas such as:
- Appropriateness of
alttext - Accuracy of video captions
- Contextual clarity of buttons and links
When issuing RFPs or updating public websites, it’s recommended to reference JIS criteria in project specifications and publish evaluation results.
Highlighted Service: UUU for Accessibility Support
“UUU” offers solutions to help improve web accessibility. Their two main services are:
Accessibility Widget
Easily added with a code snippet, offering:
- Adjustable text size, background color, saturation
- Screen reading
- Ruby annotations (furigana) and translations
- Contrast and line-height adjustments
- Animation pausing
Accessibility Check Tool
Periodically scans registered pages and identifies WCAG-based issues, provides prioritized improvement lists, and supports implementation planning.
UUU is affordably priced and will soon expand to include SEO diagnostics as part of a broader web support platform.
Japan’s Digital Agency and the Future of Accessibility
The Digital Agency promotes “a human-centered digital society,” making accessibility a key focus. Their initiatives include:
- Publishing beginner-friendly guidebooks
- Conducting usability tests with disabled users
- Promoting accessibility education and inclusive employment
These national efforts serve as a model for companies, and private-public collaboration is expected to drive continued progress.
Conclusion: Building an Inclusive Web for All
Web accessibility is more than a technical requirement—it’s a matter of social responsibility and business strategy. As legal mandates expand, so do the opportunities: accessibility boosts user satisfaction, SEO, brand image, recruitment, and revenue.
Key Takeaways:
- Web accessibility ensures inclusive access for all users
- “Reasonable accommodation” is now mandatory for private companies in Japan
- JIS X 8341-3 (Japan) and WCAG (International) are essential standards
- Tools + human review = quality assurance
- Services like UUU and government initiatives offer strong support
Let’s build a truly inclusive web—one that welcomes everyone, everywhere.