Digital accessibility means that websites, apps, and online services can be used by everyone. In the cultural sector, this includes:
- Independently purchasing tickets through the website or physical box office of a theater or museum,
- Finding information about exhibitions or performances,
- Following an online livestream or podcast,
- Or digitally making a reservation or purchasing a ticket.
An accessible website or app ensures that every visitor, with or without disabilities, can experience culture without obstacles.
For whom is digital accessibility essential?
Accessible digital channels enhance the experience for all visitors. Digital accessibility is crucial for people with disabilities. 35% of the Dutch population has a visible or invisible disability. For these groups, digital accessibility is indispensable:
- People with visual impairments. They need support via screen readers, keyboard navigation, good color contrast, and alternative texts.
- People who are deaf or hard of hearing. Subtitles or transcripts for videos and clear language greatly assist this group.
- Visitors with limited hand functionality. Good navigation with a keyboard or voice commands and larger clickable buttons are necessary for this group.
- People with cognitive disabilities benefit from calm design, logical navigation, and simple texts.
- Visitors with autism or dyslexia can navigate easily on a site with short sentences, clear structure, and a low-stimulus layout.
Increasing inclusion and reach
Digital accessibility is more than a technical requirement; it is a form of hospitality and a human right, enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. By making websites and apps accessible, cultural institutions open their doors to a broader audience.
The benefits are clear:
- You increase audience reach,
- You improve user-friendliness for everyone,
- You contribute to an inclusive society where culture is available to everyone.
European Accessibility Act is in effect, what now?
Since July 2025, the European Accessibility Act has been in effect. This law also requires cultural organizations to make their websites digitally accessible. Have you already done this? Well done! Don’t forget to also take the following steps:
- Document your efforts towards digital accessibility.
- Publish an accessibility statement on your site. This must be described both in writing and in audio.
Your accessibility statement must include the following:
- What your service or product entails.
- How your service or product works.
- How your product or service complies with accessibility requirements.
- How you ensure it remains accessible.
- Set up a complaints procedure.
- Prioritize based on risk.
(Source: Cardan – digital accessibility research agency)
Learn more about digital accessibility?
Is your website not yet accessible, and you don’t know where to start? Learn the steps to take towards a digitally accessible website.
Would you like to increase your organization’s knowledge about digital accessibility? Purchase the e-learning Digital Accessibility for Culture so that you are not the only one in your organization with knowledge about accessibility.
Would you like to read more articles about digital accessibility? Check out the overview of all articles about digital accessibility.
Building accessibility together
The foundation of digital accessibility is ‘design for all’: designing and building for everyone from the start. This ensures that accessibility is not an afterthought but an integral part of the digital cultural experience.
During the Week of Accessibility, we invite cultural institutions to critically evaluate their digital channels. How accessible is your website or app? What steps can you take to remove online barriers?
Do you have any questions for Priscilla Vaas (digital accessibility advisor at DEN)? Join the DEN Community now and ask all your questions.
Together, we ensure a cultural sector where everyone is welcome, both offline and online.
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