In 2024, web accessibility is a crucial issue for businesses in both Belgium and France. A recent study revealed that 94% of Belgian websites do not meet accessibility standards, a problem that is also prevalent in France. This non-compliance exposes companies to significant legal and financial risks. This article explains why web accessibility is essential and how My Consulting Group can help you make your website compliant with legal requirements.
The risks of non-compliance in Belgium and France
Failing to meet web accessibility standards can result in severe penalties in both Belgium and France. European legislation imposes strict criteria that businesses must adhere to in order to avoid fines and legal action.
Legal Penalties: Companies that do not comply with accessibility standards risk fines that can reach thousands of euros. In France, the Digital Republic law reinforces these obligations, while in Belgium, the authorities are increasingly monitoring accessibility compliance.
Lawsuits: Users can file lawsuits against businesses whose websites are deemed discriminatory. These actions can lead to high legal costs and negative publicity.
Loss of Customers: An inaccessible website excludes a significant portion of the population, including people with disabilities. This can lead to a loss of potential customers and damage your company’s brand image.
Key Requirements for an accessible website
To ensure compliance with current accessibility standards, your website must meet several essential criteria. Here are the key aspects to consider:
Perceptibility: All content must be accessible and understandable to all users, including those using assistive technologies. This includes alternative descriptions for images (ALT tags) and captions for videos.
Navigability: Your site must be fully navigable by keyboard, a crucial requirement for people with motor disabilities.
Comprehensibility: The language used on the site should be simple and straightforward. Make sure that instructions and information are clear to all users, regardless of their technical skill level.
Compatibility: Your site must work properly with various assistive technologies, such as screen readers, to ensure a consistent user experience.
How My Consulting Group can help
My Consulting Group is your trusted partner for achieving web accessibility compliance in Belgium and France. We offer a comprehensive range of services to help you make your website legally compliant while optimizing the user experience.
Web Accessibility Audit
We conduct a full audit of your website to identify accessibility issues. With our expertise, we provide a detailed report and specific recommendations for addressing these issues.
Compliance Implementation
Our team of experts works closely with your teams to implement the solutions identified during the audit. We help you adapt your website to meet accessibility standards without compromising its design or performance.
Training and Awareness
We offer customized training to raise awareness among your teams about web accessibility and teach them best practices. These trainings ensure that your site remains compliant with current standards in the long term.
Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance
Web accessibility is an ongoing process. My Consulting Group provides regular monitoring to ensure that your website continues to comply with legal and technological developments.
Conclusion
Web accessibility is not only a legal obligation in Belgium and France but also a strategic lever for your business. By making your website accessible, you expand your audience, improve your brand image, and avoid costly penalties. My Consulting Group is here to support you in this process. Don’t let web accessibility become an obstacle for your business—turn it into an opportunity.
Contact us today for a web accessibility audit and start building a website that meets all accessibility standards.
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