Accessibility is not a one-time goal—it’s a continuous process. It takes awareness, ongoing updates, and a shared commitment.
Dopstart supports you at every step: from the first audit to the final accessibility statement, offering a free initial consultation. Start today.
Digital accessibility is now a real responsibility for all organizations working online, whether public or private. It’s not just about legal compliance, but about the desire to deliver inclusive, barrier-free digital experiences. Whether you’re a designer, developer, communication manager, or business owner, knowing how to start making your website accessible is the first step toward building a fairer digital space for everyone.
In this article, you’ll find clear guidance on obligations, best practices, tools, and resources to help you start building a strong and compliant accessibility strategy.
Table of Contents
- What is digital accessibility and why it matters
- Italian regulations and AGID accessibility guidelines
- Accessibility for private companies: who must comply?
- The importance of accessibility in design
- Accessibility: legal obligation, but also opportunity
- How to make a website accessible
- Need help? Dopstart is here for you
- Download your free checklist now!
- Digital accessibility FAQ
- Digital Accessibility – Comprehension Quiz
What is digital accessibility and why it matters
Digital accessibility refers to the ability of websites, apps, digital documents, and services to be usable by everyone, including people with permanent or temporary disabilities. It ensures that digital content can be perceived, understood, navigated, and interacted with by all users, regardless of physical or cognitive limitations.
Why does it matter?
- Social inclusion: it ensures equal access to information and services.
- Legal compliance: in Europe and Italy, it’s required by laws like the Stanca Law and EU directives.
- SEO advantage: accessible sites are easier to crawl and index.
- Better UX: a more accessible site benefits all users, including those without disabilities.
Practical example 1: Alternative text for images
Blind users rely on screen readers. Always provide meaningful
alt
text.
<img src="team-photo.jpg" alt="Team of Dopstart at work">
Practical example 2: Form labels
Form fields must be clearly labeled for accessibility.
<label for="name">Full Name</label>
<input type="text" id="name" name="name">
Practical example 3: Keyboard navigation
Ensure elements are keyboard-focusable. Use semantic elements or define roles properly.
<button onclick="submitForm()">Submit</button>
Or for custom buttons:
<div role="button" tabindex="0" onclick="openMenu()">Open Menu</div>
Practical example 4: Color contrast
Use a minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio for body text as per WCAG recommendations.
Not accessible:
color: #bbb;
background-color: #eee;
Accessible:
color: #000;
background-color: #ffffff;
Italian regulations and AGID accessibility guidelines
The legal framework: The Stanca Law
Italy’s approach to digital accessibility is based on Law no. 4 of January 9, 2004, known as the Stanca Law. It requires all public sector websites and services to be accessible to people with disabilities.
Key principle:
“Everyone has the right to access digital public services, including persons with disabilities.”
The role of AGID
AGID (Agency for Digital Italy) is responsible for:
- defining accessibility guidelines;
- monitoring compliance of public websites;
- providing a standard accessibility statement;
- publishing annual reports and tools for assessment.
AGID Guidelines: technical requirements
The AGID Guidelines on accessibility are aligned with WCAG 2.1, and apply to:
- Public websites
- Mobile apps
- Digital documents (PDFs, Word files, etc.)
The four WCAG principles:
- Perceivable
- Operable
- Understandable
- Robust
Mandatory compliance in Italy: at least WCAG 2.1 level AA
Accessibility statement
All public entities must publish a digital accessibility statement which includes:
- their current compliance level;
- inaccessible content (if any);
- contact form for users to report issues;
- last update date.
Example: https://form.agid.gov.it
Practical example: accessible PDF documents
To comply with AGID, attached documents must be accessible. An accessible PDF must:
- contain selectable text, not scanned images;
- use semantic tags for structure;
- apply heading levels, lists, and paragraph hierarchy.
Use tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro, LibreOffice, or Microsoft Word Accessibility Checker.
Accessibility for private companies: who must comply?
Until recently, digital accessibility was mostly considered a responsibility of public administrations. But since 2022, private companies have also come under specific legal obligations.
European Accessibility Act and Italian implementation
Following the EU Directive 2019/882, Italy implemented this regulation via Legislative Decree 82/2022. It extends digital accessibility obligations to large private companies offering essential public services online.
Who must comply?
According to AGID’s Accessibility Guidelines for Private Entities, the following businesses are obligated:
- Companies with annual revenue above €500 million
- Companies offering essential services to the public via digital channels
Examples include:
- Banks
- Insurance companies
- Public and private transport services
- Utility providers (energy, water, gas)
- Telecom operators
- Private healthcare companies with online services
What are the obligations?
These companies must:
- Ensure their websites and apps comply with WCAG 2.1 AA
- Publish an accessibility statement
- Offer a channel for accessibility feedback
- Maintain and update their services to ensure ongoing compliance
Accessibility is now a legal requirement, not just a best practice.
Why is this important?
This marks a turning point: digital accessibility becomes a part of corporate legal compliance, like data protection or cybersecurity.
Accessibility also:
- Increases user inclusivity
- Enhances brand image
- Reduces legal risks
- Improves overall UX for all users
Practical example: accessible insurance platform
An insurance provider over the revenue threshold must ensure:
- Its customer portal is screen reader compatible
- All forms can be completed via keyboard
- Policy PDFs are properly tagged and accessible
- Customer support is inclusive (e.g., live chat, transcripts)
Penalties and enforcement
AGID and Italian regulators can perform audits and apply administrative sanctions for:
- Missing accessibility statements
- Severe or repeated non-compliance
- Ignored user complaints
Get support with Dopstart
If your business falls under these requirements—or you want to get ahead of the law—Dopstart offers a free consultation and full support in achieving technical and legal compliance.
The importance of accessibility in design
Digital accessibility starts with inclusive design. It’s not just about complying with WCAG standards through code—it’s about thinking accessibly from the first wireframe.
Accessible design is good design
Accessible interfaces:
- prevent usability barriers before they arise;
- improve the experience for all users;
- help meet legal compliance standards;
- enhance brand image and user trust.
Key elements of accessible design
1. Color contrast
Ensure text stands out clearly from its background.
CSS Example:
body {
color: #000;
background-color: #fff;
}
Aim for at least a 4.5:1 contrast ratio for body text.2. Readable typography
Avoid small or overly stylized fonts. Stick to sans-serif fonts and ensure line height is adequate.
body {
font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;
font-size: 16px;
line-height: 1.6;
}3. Logical structure and keyboard navigation
Design with semantic HTML and ensure users can navigate using the keyboard alone.
<header>...</header>
<nav>...</nav>
<main>...</main>
<footer>...</footer>
4. Clickable and clearly labeled buttons
Make sure all clickable areas are large enough and have clear labels.
<a href="/contact" class="button">Contact Us</a>
cssCopiaModifica.button {
padding: 0.75rem 1.5rem;
font-size: 1rem;
}
5. Visual and textual feedback
Users should receive immediate feedback on their actions, including form errors or successful submissions.
<p role="alert">Email is required.</p>
AGID Design Guidelines
Italy’s AGID Design Guidelines for digital public services define:
- UX best practices and layout coherence.
- UI components and design patterns;
- Mobile-first and accessible-first principles;
Accessibility: legal obligation, but also opportunity
Thinking inclusively pays off. It improves the user experience for everyone, reduces drop-off rates, enhances SEO, and builds trust in your brand.
In an increasingly digital world, excluding 20% of the population means missing out, ethically and economically. Ensuring web accessibility is not just a compliance issue—it’s a strategic move.
How to make a website accessible
Making your website accessible isn’t a one-time task—it’s a continuous process of improvement. Whether building a new site or updating an existing one, digital accessibility starts with awareness, structure, and the right tools.
1. Audit your current website
Start by identifying existing barriers:
- low contrast or illegible text,
- missing semantic HTML,
- inaccessible forms,
- broken keyboard navigation.
Useful tools:
- WAVE
- Chrome Lighthouse
- axe DevTools
2. Follow WCAG 2.1 AA
Check your website against WCAG 2.1, targeting Level AA for legal compliance.
Example:
<img src="banner.jpg" alt="Team of Dopstart working together">3. Use semantic HTML
Avoid generic
<div>
and
<span>
for structure. Use:
<header>, <nav>, <main>, <section>, <footer>
Example:
<main>
<section>
<h1>About Us</h1>
<p>Welcome to our website...</p>
</section>
</main>
4. Ensure keyboard navigation
Make sure all elements are focusable and usable with the keyboard (Tab, Enter, Arrow keys).
<div role="button" tabindex="0" onclick="toggleMenu()">Open menu</div>
5. Make forms accessible
Label every input field clearly:
<label for="email">Email address</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email" required>6. Check downloadable documents
Make sure your PDFs and other documents are:
- text-based (not image scans),
- properly tagged,
- have logical headings and reading order.
- Use tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro, Word Accessibility Checker.
7. Publish an accessibility statement
If you’re a public organization or required by law, submit your accessibility statement on form.agid.gov.it.
8. Train your team and monitor continuously
Accessibility is a design culture. Educate your content creators, developers, and designers. Review accessibility regularly.
Need help? Dopstart is here for you
If your organization needs to improve its website’s web accessibility, Dopstart offers a free initial consultation. We support public and private entities through every step: audits, design, development, testing, and compliance verification with AGID accessibility guidelines. Get in touch to build a truly inclusive digital experience.
Download your free checklist now!
Ready to make your website more accessible and WCAG-compliant?
Download the Dopstart checklist, with all the key steps in Italian and English to start improving your site’s accessibility today.
Digital accessibility FAQ
1. What does digital accessibility mean?
The ability of websites, apps, and digital tools to be used by anyone, including those with disabilities.
2. What is the Stanca Law?
The Italian law that enforces digital accessibility for public sector websites.
3. Are private companies required to comply?
Yes, if they meet certain criteria and provide essential services digitally.
4. What are the WCAG levels?
Three levels: A, AA, AAA. Italian law requires level AA.
5. What is an accessibility statement?
A document outlining a site’s accessibility level and any non-compliant areas.
6. What is AGID’s role?
AGID sets the accessibility rules and monitors public website compliance.
7. How do you test a website for accessibility?
With automatic validators, manual checks, and assistive technology testing.
8. Is accessibility useful for everyone?
Absolutely—it benefits users with or without disabilities.
9. What’s the difference between accessibility and usability?
Accessibility is about inclusion; usability is about ease of use.
10. Can Dopstart help make my site accessible?
Yes, we provide full support, starting with a free consultation.
Digital Accessibility – Comprehension Quiz
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