Digital accessibility laws are expanding rapidly beyond the US, Canada, EU, Australia, and the UK. Across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, governments are introducing frameworks that ensure websites, apps, and other online services are usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. While enforcement and adoption levels vary, these laws still draw on shared global standards such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) og Retningslinjer for tilgjengelighet til webinnhold (WCAG).
Global Frame for Non-Western Digital Accessibility
Many non-Western countries are aligning their digital accessibility laws with international treaties and technical benchmarks that define accessibility as a human right.
How WCAG Underpins Most Digital Laws
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) serve as the technical foundation for most web accessibility laws worldwide. In Asia, Africa, and Latin America, national regulations often reference WCAG as the standard for accessible websites and mobile applications. Whether in India’s IS 17802, Japan’s JIS X 8341, or Brazil’s NBR 17225, WCAG principles guide how governments and businesses design digital content that is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
CRPD Obligations Behind Web and App Rules
The CRPD, ratified by more than 190 countries, requires equal access to information and communication technology (ICT). This obligation drives the creation of national digital accessibility laws that ensure people with disabilities can access online education, employment, and government services. The CRPD’s emphasis on accessibility, reasonable accommodation, and universal design continues to shape web accessibility laws across Eastern regions.
How Many Countries Now Regulate Digital Access
Ifølge Access by Design, more than fifty countries now have some form of web accessibility law, and around twenty-eight include explicit digital accessibility references in legislation. This growth reflects a global recognition that digital inclusion is essential for economic participation and social equality.
India Digital Accessibility Laws
India has made significant progress in embedding accessibility into its legal and technical frameworks, from enacting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act in 2016, which expanded the list of recognized disabilities from 7 to 21 and introduced stronger obligations on government and private entities, to issuing detailed ICT accessibility standards such as the Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) and adopting WCAG-aligned requirements for public digital services, helping improve access for more than 26 million persons with disabilities recorded in the latest Census data.
RPWD Act Duties for Websites and Apps
Den Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act requires both public and private organizations to make digital content accessible to all. Under sections on accessibility and access to ICT, the RPWD Act mandates that websites, mobile apps, and digital documents provide equal access to information and services. This law forms the cornerstone of India’s digital accessibility framework, ensuring that inclusion extends beyond physical spaces.
IS 17802 as a Binding ICT Standard
IS 17802 is India’s official digital accessibility standard. It aligns closely with EN 301 549 and WCAG and is now written into RPWD rules as a legal requirement for ICT products and services. IS 17802 provides detailed technical guidance for web design, mobile applications, and software accessibility; making it a key reference for achieving WCAG compliance in India.
Recent Crackdowns and Regulator Action
Recent regulatory actions in India have reinforced the importance of accessibility compliance. For example, India’s financial regulator has directed all regulated entities to make their digital platforms accessible under the RPWD Act and related ICT rules. This move signals a stronger enforcement approach and highlights the growing expectation that accessibility must be built into all digital services.
Japan Digital Accessibility Laws
Japan has developed a mature digital accessibility framework that combines anti-discrimination principles with technical standards, anchored in laws such as the Basic Act for Persons with Disabilities and the Act for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, and operationalized through the JIS X 8341-3 standard, Japan’s WCAG-based web accessibility norm, which guides government and private-sector websites, helping improve access for more than 9 million persons with disabilities identified in national statistics.
Anti-Discrimination Law and Digital Duties
The Act on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities prohibits discrimination and promotes equal access to services, including digital platforms. This law supports accessibility as part of Japan’s broader non-discrimination duties, ensuring that public and private organizations place accessibility at the forefront of all digital interactions.
JIS X 8341 Web Standard Based on WCAG
JIS X 8341 Part 3 is the national web accessibility standard in Japan. It mirrors WCAG criteria with A, AA, and AAA conformance levels for websites and apps. JIS X 8341 provides a structured approach for achieving accessibility compliance and is widely used across government and corporate sectors.
Guidance from Japan’s Digital Agency
Japan’s Digital Agency issues detailed guidebooks referencing JIS X 8341 and the current WCAG 2.2 standard for public sector websites. These resources help organizations implement accessibility best practices and maintain compliance with evolving global standards.
Brazil Digital Accessibility Laws
Brazil has one of the most comprehensive digital accessibility frameworks in Latin America, underpinned by the Brazilian Inclusion Law (Statute of the Person with Disabilities) enacted in 2015 and reinforced by federal decrees that mandate accessibility in websites, mobile apps, and electronic government services, aligning many requirements with WCAG guidelines and supporting an estimated 17–18 million Brazilians with disabilities, according to national survey data.
Brazilian Inclusion Law and Web Access
Den Brazilian Inclusion Law (Law 13.146) requires that all information and communication systems, including websites and digital platforms, be accessible using universal design principles. Applied to both public and private sectors, this law ensures that digital accessibility is treated as a civil right.
NBR 17225 and Other Digital Standards
NBR 17225 and related standards provide detailed technical rules for digital accessibility in Brazil. These standards align with WCAG and define accessibility requirements for websites, mobile apps, and ICT systems. Together, they form the foundation for accessibility compliance across government and business sectors.
Scope of Coverage for Sites Hosted in Brazil
Guidance on the Brazilian Inclusion Law states that all websites hosted in Brazil must be accessible. Non-compliance carries legal and reputational risks, as organizations can face penalties and public scrutiny for failing to meet accessibility standards.
Other Non-Western Digital Accessibility Frameworks
Beyond India, Japan, and Brazil, many other countries are developing digital accessibility frameworks inspired by global standards.
Selected Laws in Asia Beyond India and Japan
Several Asian countries have introduced digital accessibility policies through government web standards and disability acts. Examples include China’s YD/T 1761-2012 Technical Requirements for web accessibility, South Korea’s KS X OT 0003 , og Taiwan’s Website Accessibility Guidelines (110.07) .
Latin American Policies Beyond Brazil
Other Latin American nations, including Colombia and Argentina, have adopted web accessibility policies for public sector websites. While enforcement remains inconsistent, these policies mark a growing commitment to inclusive digital governance.
African and Middle Eastern Digital Laws and Drafts
Across Africa and the Middle East, disability and equality laws increasingly reference access to information and online services. Countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates are drafting ICT accessibility rules supported by human rights bodies and regional organizations.
Key Technical Standards Used Outside Western Markets
Non-Western countries often adapt global standards to local contexts, creating national frameworks that reflect WCAG principles.
National Standards That Mirror WCAG
India’s IS 17802, Japan’s JIS X 8341, and Brazil’s NBR 17225 all reflect WCAG principles while addressing local languages, technologies, and regulatory environments. Although allowing flexibility for regional needs, these standards ensure consistency with global benchmarks.
Government Web Guidelines and Models
Government frameworks such as India’s Government Web Guidelines og Brazil’s eMAG model set accessibility baselines for public sector websites. These frameworks often influence private sector practices, promoting a culture of accessibility across industries.
Policy Lists as a Map of Standards Adoption
Repositories maintained by the W3C and other organizations list digital accessibility laws and standards by country. While these lists are valuable for tracking progress, they are not exhaustive, as many nations continue to develop or update their accessibility frameworks.
Global Compliance and Enforcement Stats
Despite growing legislation, compliance remains a global challenge, with studies such as the WebAIM Million report consistently finding that over 95% of the world’s top homepages still fail basic WCAG criteria each year, revealing a persistent gap between legal requirements on paper and the actual accessibility of websites, apps, and digital services in practice.
How Many Sites Still Fail Basic WCAG Checks
Ifølge WebAIM’s Million Report, around 95% of top home pages still have detectable WCAG failures, with an average of more than fifty errors per page. These findings show that while digital accessibility laws are spreading, implementation lags behind.
Error Types That Keep Repeating
The most common accessibility errors include low contrast text, missing alternative text, and unlabelled form inputs. These recurring issues appear across most tested websites, regardless of region, highlighting the need for better training, implementation and testing.
Laws on Paper Versus Real User Experience
While digital accessibility laws are expanding, real-world accessibility often falls short. Many organizations meet the letter of the law but fail to deliver inclusive user experiences. This gap between policy and practice underscores the need for stronger enforcement and cultural change.
Practical Guide for Organizations Working in These Regions
Organizations operating across Asia, Africa, and Latin America must navigate diverse legal and technical landscapes, adapting to a patchwork of national disability and ICT accessibility laws, regional human rights commitments, and varying levels of enforcement, across more than 130 countries globally that now have some form of disability-related legislation, while still contending with gaps in local standards, limited regulatory capacity, and uneven awareness among developers, vendors, and policymakers.
Build a Country-Level Legal Checklist
Teams should map key frameworks such as India’s RPWD and IS 17802, Japan’s JIS X 8341, and Brazil’s Inclusion Law and NBR 17225 before launching products. Understanding local ICT standards ensures compliance and reduces risk.
Treat WCAG 2.2 AA as the Common Floor
WCAG 2.2 AA should be treated as the shared baseline for websites and apps. Organizations can then layer national rules and sector-specific obligations on top to achieve full compliance.
Work with Local Disabled Persons Organizations
Partnering with local disability groups provides valuable insights into how legal requirements translate into real accessibility. User testing and feedback from these organizations help ensure that accessibility efforts deliver genuine, everyday inclusion.
Future Direction of Digital Accessibility Laws Outside the West
Digital accessibility laws beyond Western markets are evolving rapidly as governments strengthen enforcement and update technical standards.
New ICT Standards and Updates
Countries such as India and Japan are updating their ICT standards, including new versions of IS 17802 and JIS X 8341. These updates align with WCAG 2.2 and reflect a broader global shift toward harmonized accessibility.
Expected Growth in Enforcement
Global law repositories and advisory firms report a trend toward stronger enforcement. More regulators are beginning to monitor websites and apps directly, not just pass laws.
From Minimum Compliance to Consistent Practice
Real progress in non-Western markets depends on everyday design and development practices, not just on passing more digital accessibility laws. By embedding accessibility into workflows, training, and governance from the very beginning, organizations can move from minimal compliance to consistent, inclusive design that benefits all users.