Web Accessibility for UAE Applications: Standards and Implementation

Web accessibility ensures digital services are usable by everyone. Here's how UAE organizations can build accessible web applications that comply with international standards.

Web accessibility ensures that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with digital services. For UAE organizations — particularly government entities and large enterprises — accessibility is both a moral imperative and an increasingly regulatory requirement. The UAE's commitment to inclusivity through initiatives like My Community... A City for Everyone makes accessibility a strategic priority.

WCAG 2.1 Standards

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA is the international standard most UAE organizations target. It covers four principles: Perceivable (information must be presentable in ways users can perceive), Operable (interface components must be operable by all users), Understandable (information and UI operation must be understandable), and Robust (content must be robust enough for diverse user agents and assistive technologies).

Common Accessibility Issues

The most frequent accessibility failures in UAE web applications include missing alt text on images, poor color contrast (especially with brand colors), forms without proper labels, missing keyboard navigation, inaccessible dynamic content (modals, dropdowns, carousels), and PDFs that aren't screen-reader friendly. Arabic content introduces additional considerations: proper lang attributes, correct reading order, and screen reader compatibility with RTL text.

Testing and Remediation

Use automated tools (axe, Lighthouse, WAVE) for initial scanning — they catch about 30% of issues. Manual testing with keyboard navigation and screen readers (NVDA, VoiceOver) catches the remaining 70%. Include users with disabilities in user testing for genuine feedback. Build accessibility into your development process with automated accessibility testing in CI/CD pipelines.

Bayden builds accessible web applications for UAE organizations, integrating WCAG 2.1 compliance into our development process. Our team conducts accessibility audits, remediation, and training to help your organization deliver inclusive digital experiences.