Analysis of web accessibility in Colombian government portals using an automatic evaluation tool

Abstract

People with disabilities require that the content and services available on the web meet certain characteristics to facilitate their access. Due to this need, there are various initiatives that provide guidelines for the development of accessible websites, as well as methods or strategies for their evaluation in order to verify the level of accessibility offered.

Government websites play a crucial role in providing access to information and public services for all citizens. For this reason, it is necessary to evaluate and understand the accessibility levels of the websites of departmental governments according to international guidelines (WCAG 2.1) and Colombian regulations.

A bottom-up methodology with four stages was proposed (selection of government websites, establishment of guidelines, implementation of the Bye Bye 404 tool, and data analysis). This methodology allowed us to understand the operation of the Bye Bye 404 tool and the current state of the websites. In total, 21 regional government websites were evaluated, covering approximately 40,000 pages. The results showed that the majority of government websites had a compliance score between 60 and 79 points (66.7%). It is important to note that this score, although considered acceptable, should be interpreted taking into account that the level of compliance achieved is A, and according to Resolution 1519 of 2020, a level of compliance AA is required.

Web accessibility on government websites is a fundamental aspect of inclusion and equity in access to information. By addressing the identified accessibility barriers, greater access and participation for people with disabilities can be promoted.