Ireland web accessibility

Ireland Web Accessibility Laws

The main web accessibility law in Ireland is the European Directive on the accessibility of websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies, known as EN 301549. The E.U. Web Accessibility Directive was enacted in 2016, ratified by the E.U. Parliament and the Council of the E.U. It primarily applies to government agencies but does have consequences for private organizations as well. As of today, all public sector bodies in E.U. Member States must comply with EN 301549 standards, including Ireland.

Accessibility Standard EN 301 549 applies to government agencies, government-funded bodies, and third-party contractors who provide services to the government. Non-compliance may result in exceeding penalties, as mechanisms for complaint were put in place by the legislators.

The main legislation that addresses web accessibility in Ireland is the Disability Act 2005. This act aims to ensure that people with disabilities can fully participate in society and have equal access to public services. Although the Disability Act does not specifically mention web accessibility, it sets a general framework for accessibility and inclusion.

Furthermore, the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) sets out the government`s commitment to promoting inclusion and improving the lives of people with disabilities in Ireland. While the NDIS does not have specific provisions for web accessibility, it emphasizes the importance of accessibility in all aspects of society, including digital services.

At EqualWeb, we recommend you remediate and audit your website against WCAG 2.1 guidelines to avoid any legal risk and to open your doors to the large population of individuals living with disabilities.