Digital accessibility is a key component of modern information society. In Poland, with 4.7 million people living with disabilities and 87% of citizens regularly using the internet, it is not only a legal requirement but also a moral imperative. Digital accessibility is based on four pillars: perceivability, operability, understandability, and robustness (WCAG principles), which gained importance with the passing of the *Law on Digital Accessibility* in 2019.
Perceivability, the first pillar of digital accessibility, forms the foundation of an accessible internet. This principle ensures that digital content is accessible to all users, regardless of their perceptual abilities.
In practice, implementing the principle of perceivability requires attention to several key aspects. First and foremost, proper color contrast must be ensured. When designing Polish websites, the contrast between text and background should be at least 4.5:1 for regular text and 3:1 for large text.
Another important aspect is providing text alternatives for non-text content. In the Polish internet landscape, where graphics and multimedia are increasingly prevalent, every image, chart, or infographic should be accompanied by an alternative text description, enabling blind or visually impaired individuals to understand their content.
A unique challenge in the Polish context is the presence of diacritical marks. Letters such as “ą”, “ę”, “ł”, or “ż” can pose difficulties for some screen readers and assistive technologies. Therefore, when creating digital content, special attention should be paid to the correct encoding of characters.
An example of best practice in terms of perceivability is the *National Audiovisual Institute’s* portal (ninateka.pl), which offers advanced accessibility options, including the ability to adjust contrast, enlarge text, and enable subtitles for video materials.
The growing role of technology in enhancing the perceivability of digital content is also worth noting. Advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning are opening new possibilities for automatically generating alternative descriptions and transcriptions of audio and video content.
Additionally, an essential element of perceivability is ensuring proper content structure. Correct use of headings, lists, and other HTML structural elements allows for better understanding by users relying on assistive technologies. In the Polish context, where language structure can be complex, this is particularly important for maintaining the meaning and logic of the message.
Multimedia accessibility should also not be overlooked. For video content, in addition to subtitles, adding audio descriptions that explain visual elements to blind users is recommended. For audio materials, text transcriptions are essential to ensure that deaf users can access the content.
The aspect of responsiveness is also critical in the context of perceivability. Websites should be readable and functional across various devices, from desktop computers to smartphones. In Poland’s digital landscape, where more users are accessing content on mobile devices, ensuring universal content accessibility is particularly important.
A key aspect of perceivability is also providing options for users to adjust how content is presented to suit their individual needs. This might include options to change text size, line spacing, or even alter the entire page layout. In Poland, where the population is aging and the number of individuals with visual impairments is increasing, such features are becoming increasingly vital.
It is also worth paying attention to the accessibility of online forms, which are becoming more common on Polish websites. Providing clear labels, clear instructions, and proper grouping of form fields is essential for their perceivability, especially for users relying on screen readers.
Operability, the second pillar of digital accessibility, is the backbone of the digital experience. In the context of Poland’s digital landscape, operability determines the practical usability of online resources for all citizens of the Republic of Poland.
A crucial aspect of operability is providing sufficient time to complete tasks. In the Polish online space, where more public services are moving to digital platforms, every form, survey, or transaction process should account for users who may require more time.
An example of best practice in operability can be seen on the *Social Insurance Institution* portal (zus.gov.pl). The site offers a wealth of online services and advanced accessibility options, such as keyboard navigation, clear form labels, and interface magnification capabilities.
Another critical element of operability is providing alternative methods for interacting with content. In the Polish context, this could involve implementing voice control, which is particularly important for individuals with motor impairments. The development of Polish language voice recognition technologies is creating new opportunities in this area.
Responsive design is also essential in the context of operability. Considering the increasing popularity of mobile devices in Poland, websites should be fully functional on both large desktop screens and smaller displays, such as smartphones and tablets.
Another important aspect of operability is providing navigation and orientation tools on websites. For Polish websites, which often contain vast amounts of information, clear navigation structures, sitemaps, and search mechanisms are especially critical to allow users to quickly and efficiently find the information they need, regardless of their technical skills or limitations.
Keyboard accessibility should not be overlooked. All website functions should be accessible without the need for a mouse. This is particularly important for individuals with motor impairments but also for users who prefer keyboard navigation. In the Polish context, it also means ensuring that keyboard shortcuts are intuitive and do not interfere with Polish diacritical characters.
Personalization is another aspect worth noting in operability. The ability to customize the interface to meet individual user preferences, such as changing the page layout or presentation of information, can significantly improve the user experience for different user groups.
Providing mechanisms to prevent and correct user errors is also a vital element of operability. In Poland, this could include features like smart suggestions when entering addresses or personal data, automatic correction of common spelling errors, or the ability to undo accidental actions.
Another issue worth considering is accessibility in authentication and authorization processes. As more online services in Poland require login credentials, providing accessible alternatives to traditional methods, such as CAPTCHA or two-factor authentication, becomes increasingly important.
Understandability, the third pillar of digital accessibility, refers to the clarity and predictability of content and user interface functionality. In the context of Polish internet, this principle is particularly important due to the complexity of the Polish language and the diversity of its users.
The primary aspect of understandability is using clear and simple language. In the Polish digital space, where specialized terminology often seeps into everyday use, it is especially important that content be presented in a way that is understandable to a wide audience. This is particularly relevant for public institution websites and services aimed at the general public.
Another key element is the predictability of the user interface. Polish internet users, regardless of age or technical proficiency, should be able to easily anticipate the results of their actions on a website. Consistent labels, clear navigation, and a logical page structure are crucial components of ensuring understandability.
The cultural aspect of understandability is also worth noting. In the Polish context, this may mean adapting content to local realities and using relevant examples and references that resonate with Polish users.
An example of best practice in terms of understandability is the *Ombudsman’s Office* portal (rpo.gov.pl), which offers not only a clear interface but also explains complex legal issues in an accessible way, often using infographics and real-life examples.
Providing user assistance and guidance is also essential for ensuring understandability. In the Polish context, this could involve implementing chatbots or virtual assistants capable of providing support in Polish. The development of artificial intelligence and natural language processing is opening new opportunities in this field.
The ability to customize the interface is also crucial for understandability. Allowing users to adjust font size or page layout can significantly enhance the clarity of content for different user groups.
Linguistic clarity in the Polish context is critical, given the complexity of the Polish grammar and syntax. Texts, button labels, error messages, and user instructions must be formulated clearly and unequivocally. Proper use of cases, tenses, and polite forms can significantly impact the clarity of the message.
In the context of understandability, the issue of translation and localization of content should not be overlooked. For many international services and applications available in Poland, it is essential to ensure not only linguistically correct but also culturally appropriate translations. This requires not only knowledge of the language but also an understanding of local idioms, expressions, and cultural contexts.
Maintaining consistent terminology across an entire website or application is also essential for understandability. In Poland, where many technical or specialized terms can have multiple translations, using consistent terminology throughout the site is key to clarity.
Providing sufficient context for the information presented is another vital aspect of understandability. In the Polish online space, where users often encounter complex topics (e.g., legal regulations, administrative procedures), it is essential to provide the necessary background and explanations to help users understand the content in a broader context.
Clarity in forms and online processes is also crucial for understandability. As more processes in Poland are moving online, clear instructions, hints, and error messages are critical to ensuring that users understand what information is required and how to complete forms correctly.
Robustness, the fourth pillar of digital accessibility, refers to the technical reliability and compatibility of digital content. In Poland, where the diversity of devices and technologies is constantly growing, this principle takes on particular significance.
The primary aspect of robustness is ensuring that digital content is compatible with various browsers, devices, and assistive technologies. In Poland, where users access content on a wide range of devices—from modern smartphones to older computers—robustness means that a website functions correctly regardless of the technology used.
Error resilience is also an important element of robustness. Polish websites should be designed to minimize the risk of user errors and, in the event they occur, provide clear instructions for resolution.
In the context of Polish law and regulations, robustness also means compliance with the applicable technical standards and accessibility guidelines. This is particularly relevant for public institution websites, which are required to adhere to specific norms.
An example of best practice in terms of robustness is the *Central Statistical Office* portal (stat.gov.pl), which not only offers stable performance across different devices but also provides access to data in various formats, allowing for integration with different systems and applications.
Robustness in the Polish context also involves preparing for future technological changes. Websites should be designed with future updates and adaptation to new standards in mind.
Security is another key issue closely tied to robustness. In the face of growing cybersecurity threats, Polish websites must be not only accessible but also safe for users. This requires continuous monitoring and updating of security measures.
Additionally, in Poland’s digital space, robustness also involves ensuring website stability under heavy traffic loads. This is particularly important for public institution portals, which may experience sudden spikes in visits, for example, during tax declaration periods or significant social or political events. Ensuring adequate server infrastructure and optimizing website performance are critical to maintaining accessibility in all conditions.
Archiving and long-term storage of digital content are also critical aspects of robustness. In Poland, where many public and cultural institutions are digitizing their resources, ensuring the longevity and accessibility of this data over the long term is essential. This requires the use of appropriate file formats, metadata, and content management systems that will remain compatible with future technologies.
The four pillars of digital accessibility—perceivability, operability, understandability, and robustness—form the foundation of an inclusive digital environment in Poland. Their implementation requires not only technical knowledge but also an understanding of the diverse needs of users and the specifics of the Polish cultural and linguistic context.
Implementing these principles brings numerous benefits, from facilitating access to information for people with disabilities to increasing usability for all users and building a more inclusive digital society. Despite the challenges posed by digital accessibility, it is an essential step toward ensuring equal and fair access to online resources for all citizens of Poland.
We encourage all Polish organizations to take action toward improving digital accessibility. Need support? Our experts can assist with audits, strategy, and tool selection. Remember, accessibility is not just a legal requirement but an investment in an inclusive future. Contact us – together, we can make the Polish internet accessible to everyone!