What is EN ISO 20290-3:2018?

EN ISO 20290-3:2018 is a technical standard that provides guidelines and requirements for creating accessible digital content. It specifically focuses on the accessibility of web content, documents, and software applications. In this article, we will explore the key aspects of this standard and its significance in promoting inclusivity and equal access to information.

Understanding Accessibility

Accessibility refers to the design and development of digital content and technologies that can be accessed and used by individuals with disabilities. EN ISO 20290-3:2018 emphasizes the importance of making digital content inclusive for everyone, including people with visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities.

The Key Principles

This standard outlines several principles that organizations should consider when developing accessible digital content. These principles include perceivability, operability, understandability, and robustness. Perceivability ensures that information and user interface components are available in different formats, such as text alternatives for non-text content. Operability focuses on making the user interface navigable and easy to operate. Understandability aims to present content and functions in a clear and predictable manner. Robustness ensures compatibility with a variety of assistive technologies.

Implementation and Benefits

Implementing EN ISO 20290-3:2018 allows organizations to create digital content that adheres to accessibility standards, making it usable by all individuals, regardless of their abilities. This promotes inclusivity, enhances user experience, and enables equal access to information. By following the guidelines set forth in this standard, organizations can improve their compliance with accessibility legislation and avoid potential legal issues.

In addition, accessible content benefits not only those with disabilities but also provides a better user experience for all users. For visually impaired individuals, alternative text descriptions of images enable them to understand the content. Captions and transcripts benefit deaf and hard-of-hearing users. Clear navigation and consistent design benefit users with cognitive disabilities.