Digital Accessibility 2026: New Legal Period and WCAG 2. 2

The digital world is an indispensable part of today. A large part of our lives from banking transactions to online shopping, official announcements from education is now run through websites and mobile applications. But this digitalization process can offer equal accessibility for everyone?

Turkey gives a clear answer to this question: now digital accessibility has become a legal obligation! by Presidential 21 September New General published on June 2025It is aimed to easily access everyone’s digital services, including disabled individuals and older users.

What is Digital Accessibility? What Is Not?

Digital accessible kIt means that a website can be easily used and understood by anyone, including visual, auditory, motor or cognitive disabled users, old individuals and even temporary disabilities. In short, in digital environment Container and equality To provide.

What is digital accessibility? Not only a technical compliance process. It’s more than just an arrangement for disabled individuals. It is also a vital strategic element for brands to fulfill their social responsibilities, protect reputation and provide customer trust.

What purpose is used? The main purpose is to eliminate all access obstacles in digital environment. Information technology infrastructure (such as user interfaces, access protocols, hardware standards) covers design, development and maintenance according to different user needs. When looking at the user experience perspective, web sites, tools and technologies are designed and developed to use disabled individuals.

Why did Digital Accessibility in Turkey? What is the Current Status?

Digital accessibility in Turkey, Law on Disabled 5378Based on 'a legal obligation. This step was skipped to provide full and equal participation to social life of disabled and old individuals, to eliminate digital obstacles in access to information and service.

21 September The Presidential Planline, dated June 2025, not only public institutions, but also includes municipalities, universities, private hospitals, banks, private schools, passenger transport firms, e-commerce sites and electronic communication services. This Digital in Turkey It is an important shaft for the establishment of a structure that does not leave anyone behind the world.

Current Status and Compliance Process:

• Standards: Websites and mobile applications to international validity p WCAG 2.2 (Web Content Accessibility Guide) It is necessary to comply with the standards. This is a global accepted guide.

• Audit & Advisory: Monitoring, Advisory and Review Commissions were established in the Ministry of Family and Social Services in order to manage and control this conversion process.

• "Accessibility Logo": The right to use a "Accessibility Logo" that will apply 2 years by the ministry, to the websites or mobile applications of institutions and organizations identified by standards. This logo will symbolize the social responsibility consciousness of the institution and the value it gives to all users.

Compliance Calendar:

• 1 In the year (21 until June 2026) Needs Compliance: Private organizations with public institutions and organizations, universities, municipalities and affiliates, public institutions, banks, private hospitals, MEB approved private teaching institutions, road, railway and airlines, A Group travel agents, electronic communication operators with more than 200 thousand subscribers.

• In 2 Years (21 June 2027) Needs Compliance: Service providers engaged in electronic trade (e-commerce).

Digital Accessibility Principles and Standard: WCAG 2. 2

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is an internationally accepted directory guide for web accessibility. WCAG 2.2 version includes up-to-date requirements, mainly covering new technologies such as mobile devices, touch screens, face and eye movements.

There are four main principles that make the basis of digital accessibility:

1. Detectability (Perceivable): Information and user interface components should be presented in ways that they can be detected by users. (Front: Alternative text to visual content, subtitle to audio content).

2. Workability (Operable): User interface components and navigation should be operated. Full access with the keyboard is within this scope of features such as adequate time recognition.

3. Anxiety (Understandable): Content and interface must be predictable and consistent, users should easily understand the functioning of the information and interface.

4. Reliability (Robust): The content must work reliably with a wide range of technologies, including auxiliary technologies.

These principles are the basis of inclusive design, not only for disabled individuals, providing a better user experience for everyone.

Why Not Only A Legal,, Is A Value Indicator On The Same Time?

WeAccess. English Professor of CEO. As Dr. Özer Çelik mentioned, digital accessibility is now gaining a strategic value in Turkey. With this general, it has become possible to provide a much more inclusive internet.

When institutions perform this responsibility, they will not only adapt to the law, but they will also create a stronger and friendly bond with society. The return digital world has gained strategic importance in its accessibility, reputation, empathy and inclusive axis. Beyond the legal sanctions of the institutions, the probability of encountering serious risks to the user’s trust also shows how vital digital accessibility is for brands.

Digital accessibility is no longer a privilege; it is a standard for everyone. This historic step is a strong will declaration that has been taken to make Turkey’s digital infrastructure more inclusive and fair.

What does digital accessibility mean for you? How long do you think the institutions are ready for this?