XHULIO MITRE, NEVILA BACI
Abstract :
Web accessibility refers to the equal use of web platforms among persons with and without disability. Accessibility is considered a human right, and the European Union, along with many other countries, has implemented mandatory regulations to guarantee that government websites and applications meet accessibility standards. This paper examines the accessibility of municipality’s websites in Albania. The authors have used AccessibilityChecker as an evaluation tool to explore whether the websites comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2. The results show that average accessibility score was evaluated at 60.58, a notable difference from 85, the threshold where websites are considered partly compliant. All the websites have prevalent critical issues that make them less accessible, difficult to use, and create barriers for people with visual, hearing, mobility, and cognitive impairments. This study is significant to public officials, advocacy groups, policymakers, website developers, and other stakeholders in understanding the current state of accessibility across local government websites and creating solutions that ensure equitable access to information and services and promote inclusive design.
Keywords: Web accessibility, disability, municipalities, Albania, WCAG 2.2, inclusivity.