The General Accessibility Improvement Framework (RGAA) is a French standard that aims to ensure that digital services are accessible to all citizens, including those with disabilities. Making a website compliant with the RGAA ensures an optimal user experience for everyone, regardless of physical or cognitive limitations.
Why is RGAA essential for your website?
Digital accessibility is crucial to enable every individual to access online information and services without barriers. A RGAA-compliant site is not only a legal requirement for many organisations, it also reflects social responsibility and a desire for inclusion. In addition, improving accessibility benefits all users by simplifying navigation and improving the overall quality of the site.
Concrete examples of compliance with the RGAA
- Structuring forms: Group related fields, such as contact information, together to make them easier to understand and enter. For example, group the fields “name,” “address,” and “phone” under one clearly labeled section.
- Proper use of HTML tags: Avoid using tags for purely aesthetic purposes. For example, do not use a heading tag (<h1>) simply to make the text larger, but to indicate a real hierarchy in the content.
- Color contrast: Ensure that the contrast between text and background is sufficient to be readable by everyone, including people with visual impairments.
Penalties for non-compliance: what you risk
Failure to comply with digital accessibility obligations exposes the entities concerned to significant financial penalties. The amounts of the fines vary depending on the nature of the entity and the seriousness of the breach:
- Public sector: Public administrations and bodies may be fined up to €50,000 per non-compliant online service.
- Private sector: Private companies with a turnover of 250 million euros or more in France are liable to financial penalties of up to €20,000 per non-compliant digital service.
It is important to note that these sanctions are cumulative and can be renewed every six months if the breaches persist.
The benefits of a compliant site
- Improved SEO: Search engines favor accessible sites, which can increase visibility and traffic. By optimizing your site’s accessibility, you also improve its structure and semantics, making it easier for search engines to index it.
- Broadening the audience: An accessible site attracts a wider audience, including people with disabilities, thereby increasing the potential for customers or users. Approximately 20% of the world’s population has some form of disability.
- Brand Building: Showing a commitment to inclusion and accessibility builds an organization’s reputation and credibility. Accessible sites have a better reputation, increasing customer loyalty and referrals.
- Increased time on site: An accessible site provides a better user experience, encouraging visitors to stay longer. A higher dwell time is a positive signal to search engines, favorably influencing your positionnement dans les résultats de recherche.
- Optimizing the user experience: Accessibility improves the overall experience for all users, not just those with disabilities. Accessible content, clear information, and well-described media create a smooth and enjoyable navigation for everyone, reducing bounce rates and increasing user satisfaction.
How to assess your site’s compliance with the RGAA?
To check if your site meets the RGAA criteria, it is recommended to carry out an accessibility audit. This audit analyzes various aspects of the site, such as the structure, navigation, forms and multimedia, to identify areas for improvement. Online tools and accessibility experts can assist you in this process.
In conclusion
Adopting the RGAA is not just a matter of legal compliance, but a proactive step towards an inclusive digital society. By making your site accessible, you offer all users a rewarding experience and demonstrate your commitment to equality and inclusion.
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