Accessibility is a crucial aspect of user experience and usability. Accessible digital services also cater to users with various limitations such as visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments.

By prioritizing accessibility, design is guided towards clarity and ease of use, benefiting all users. However, an accessible web service doesn't have to be dull; in fact, accessibility enables visually immersive and diverse user experiences.

Legal Obligations

In spring 2019, a law regarding the provision of digital services came into effect in Finland. This law requires not only the public sector, but also certain private sector entities to adhere to the accessibility standards of WCAG 2.1. AA level. The requirements apply to various industries in the private sector, such as water, energy, banking, postal, and transportation.

These requirements address the technical implementation, design, and content of websites. The goal is to ensure the accessibility of content through assistive technologies (such as screen readers), usability regardless of visual impairments or other barriers, and consistent presentation across different devices. The enforcement of this law in Finland is overseen by the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland.

Investing in accessibility is worthwhile

Having good accessibility is essential when designing web services, regardless of legislation. It promotes equality, enhances customer experience, and can even save costs in the best-case scenario. As a positive side effect, it often improves search engine visibility.

Laws and standards only partially cover good accessibility. They do not address the comprehensibility of service structure or the usability of navigation. Therefore, it is important to consider accessibility more comprehensively and as part of user-centric design in the implementation of digital services.

Accessibility

Legal Obligations

Investing in accessibility is worthwhile

Helsinki

Tampere

Joensuu

Support