Accessibility Laws in France: RGAA, EAA, and the Future of the Inclusive Web

Digital Accessibility in France: A Clear Vision

Salut! 🌍 In France, digital accessibility is no longer just a good practice—it's a legal obligation! Let's discover how.

In France, digital accessibility has stopped being an option to become a legal and social imperative. With more adults with disabilities registered each, ensuring that everyone can access online information is a national priority. This is where RGAA (Référentiel Général d'Accessibilité pour les Administrations) comes in—the framework that defines the rules of the game.

What is RGAA and who does it apply to?

RGAA is the French technical standard that translates WCAG 2.2 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and the European standard EN 301 549 into verifiable requirements. Its objective is clear: that digital public services (websites, apps, intranets, software) be accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, older adults, or any user with temporary barriers.

Its legal basis? Article 47 of Law No. 2005-102 (Law for Equal Rights and Opportunities), updated in 2023. It applies mandatorily to:

• Public organizations and administrations
• Private companies with average annual revenue > 250 million euros (averaged over 3 years)

Although SMEs are not explicitly required to comply, RGAA serves as a guide for best practices to avoid legal risks and expand their market reach.

What Article 47 requires (Update 2023)

Mandatory Accessibility Statement: Must be published on the homepage, detailing the level of compliance and pending areas.

Multi-year Action Plan: Public document with deadlines for correcting barriers and maintaining accessibility.

Staff Training: Accessibility training for teams that develop or manage digital services.

Broad Coverage: Applies to all online public communication services (with very limited exceptions, such as non-essential archive content).

"Disproportionate Burden": Organizations can claim it, but it must be justified according to strict criteria defined by decree.

Risks of non-compliance: Beyond fines Inaccessibility has tangible consequences

Lawsuits: Any affected person can claim compensation

Reputational Damage: After a complaint, the entity has 6 months to correct. If it persists, it's officially declared "non-compliant"

Loss of Audience: You exclude millions of potential users

7 Key measures to avoid risks and become RGAA-Compliant

1. Regular Audits: Identify gaps with tools and real user testing
2. Alternative Text (alt text): Add alternative text to all informative images. This way, accessibility assistance tools can aid users to understand the images.
3. Subtitles and Transcriptions: In videos and audio, in order to help deaf users.
4. Color Contrast: With a minimum 4.5:1 for normal text (necessary to accomplish AA)
5. Keyboard Navigation: Implement complete functionality without mouse, so users can navigate the web by only using the keyboard.
6. Forms and Buttons: Properly labeled and accessible. With this, accessibility assistance tools can help the users to navigate in a satisfactory way.
7. Flexibility: Allow text size adjustment without losing functionality. You can allow this by using a web component, such as the one Inclusif offers.

Conclusion: Accessibility is an opportunity

RGAA is not just a French legal requirement; it's a gateway to innovation and real inclusion. Organizations that adopt it not only avoid sanctions but demonstrate social commitment, improve their user experience, and reach a broader market.

Ready to transform your digital presence in France? At Inclusif, we accompany you with audits, specialized training, and technical solutions so your organization not only complies but stands out for being truly inclusive.

Visit Inclusif's main page and discover how easy it is to create a digital space without barriers. Make your website accessible now. Source: https://accessibilite.numerique.gouv.fr/