Accessibility is a human right
It is derived from the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in New York in 2006 and entered into force in 2008. It has been ratified or confirmed by 190 states and the European Union (as of March 2024).
Germany
Disability Equality Law (Behinderten-Gleichstellungs-Gesetz - BGG).
- Definition of accessibility: §4
- it obliges the public authority at the federal level to comply with the requirements for accessibility: Websites and mobile applications of federal public authorities must be accessible. The requirements of the Accessibility Information Technology Regulation apply – (BITV 2.0).
Accessibility Strengthening Act
Already on July 22nd 2021 proclaimed in the Federal Law Gazette, will enter into force from 28. June 2025 and affects parts of the private sector: providers of certain goods and services are then obliged to accessibility.
The law implements the European Accessibility Act - Directive (EU) 2019/882 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the accessibility requirements for products and services.
Netherlands
Similar laws: https://www.w3.org/WAI/policies/netherlands/
https://business.gov.nl/amendment/european-accessibility-act-products-services/
Sources:
- Wikipedia: Accessibility
- Wikipedia: Web Accessibility
- Lebenshilfe: Barrierefreiheit in Deutschland