An increasing number of government organisations are enhancing the accessibility of their websites and apps. While significant progress was made in 2024, considerable work is still required to ensure that government digital channels are accessible, understandable, and user-friendly. This information comes from the Annual Digital Accessibility Monitor 2024.
Dashboard
By the end of 2024, 49 per cent of government websites and apps listed in the Dashboard DigiToegankelijk (Dutch) complied with the Digital Accessibility Act, according to the monitor. This represents a 23 per cent increase compared to the previous year. These digital channels hold a status of A, B, or C. While the government is making significant efforts to improve digital accessibility, the challenge of achieving full digital accessibility remains considerable.
Positive Trends in the Figures
By 2024, there has been a significant increase in the number of A and B statuses on the dashboard, with growth rates of 34 per cent and 53 per cent, respectively. The number of E statuses (websites and apps without an accessibility statement) was halved last year. This reduction can be attributed to two factors: first, there was a 32 per cent increase in accessibility statements made in 2024; second, efforts were undertaken to maintain the data, ensuring the information presented is as accurate as possible.
The positive trends can also be attributed to website and app vendors providing surveys to government organisations to support their accessibility statements.
Alert letters
The alert letters sent to government organisations in 2024 are helping to raise the topic of digital accessibility on the administrative agenda. As a result, many government organisations are emphasising improving their digital accessibility.
These letters inform administrators that their websites and apps are not yet compliant with the law. Consequently, there has been a significant reduction in the number of E-statuses, along with an increase in other compliance statuses.
Data as a tool for improvement
Data serves as a valuable indicator of the current situation. The Accessibility Statement, surveys, and status reports are primarily designed to promote transparency in accessibility and ensure improvements are made. However, data alone does not provide a complete picture. Manfred Rosenboom, the program manager of DigiToegankelijk, states, “For users, the most important aspect is that websites and apps are clear, understandable, and accessible. That is what truly matters. A website with a status of B or C may comply with the law, but it indicates that it is not fully accessible. Governments still need to make further progress on this.”
More information
To view the monitor, please visit the Annual Monitor Digital Accessibility 2024 (in Dutch). For further information on accessibility within the digital government, please visit our web page about the Digital Government Act (Wdo).
