Web accessibility is a fundamental aspect of the digital world, ensuring that websites and digital services are usable by everyone, including those people that have disabilities and other conditions that might prevent them from using certain digital services. Hence, digital accessibility is a vital part of digitalization, and understanding its significance is crucial for a country like Ukraine as it can boost its post-war recovery and positively shape its digital future.

The concept of web accessibility has various practical implications, but it defined by the European Union as the practice of making websites and digital platforms perceivable, understandable, navigable, and interactive for everyone, regardless of their disabilities. This inclusivity extends to those with visual impairments, hearing impairments, cognitive disabilities, and more. Hence, making a website digital inclusive is a way to ensure that various users can fully access it.

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has played a central role in shaping web accessibility through the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Since 1995, these guidelines have evolved to provide a comprehensive framework for improving the accessibility and usability of web content and internet tools. In practical terms, WCAG guidelines are categorized into three levels of conformance: Level A (the least strict), Level AA, and Level AAA (the most strict). Meeting Level AA guidelines is considered reasonably accessible for most individuals with disabilities. However, the guidelines are constantly updated and the last version WCAG 2.1 has recently been translated into Ukrainian.

For Ukraine, web accessibility holds exceptional importance for several reasons. Ukraine is undergoing reconstruction efforts following the unprovoked Russian aggression. The Russian military intervention has led to a significant rise in the number of people with disabilities in the country. Therefore, ensuring web accessibility is crucial for involving more citizens in the reconstruction process, making it inclusive for all with a particular attention to the digital sphere. Moreover, as Ukraine aspires to become a full member of the European Union, aligning with EU standards, including accessibility, is essential. Compliance with the European Accessibility Act and other EU directives is pivotal for its European integration.

However, there are some challenges that need to be addressed in order to ensure a positive implementation of WCAG. In particular, to successfully adapt WCAG to the Ukrainian context, there is a need for:

1. Harmonization of Standards: Ensuring that Ukraine's national digital accessibility standards are aligned with international norms and best practices. This harmonization guarantees that websites and digital services cater to a wide range of abilities and disabilities. Particular challenges remain in the context of public awareness, as the general public in Ukraine might not be fully aware of the importance of the topic.
2. Education and Training: Conducting training sessions for web developers, content creators, and policymakers is essential. These sessions raise awareness about the importance of digital accessibility and improve the actual implementation of accessibility features, particularly now as WCAG 2.1 have been fully translated into Ukrainian and thus there are more educational opportunities.
3. Government Support: By providing a framework that encourages digital accessibility, Ukraine can ensure its digital landscape adheres to the evolving standards and remains open to all. Significant steps have been taken by the National Council for the Recovery of Ukraine from the Consequences of the War in its documents related to digital recovery. Yet, stronger practical efforts in terms of policy should be performed by sub-national authorities as well.

Given this specific context, the role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in advancing digital accessibility in Ukraine is crucial These organizations are the driving force behind promoting web accessibility, acting as government watchdogs, and setting an example for inclusivity in Ukrainian society.

Their advocacy for digital services that are accessible to individuals with disabilities ensures that the private and public sectors prioritize accessibility as a core element of their digital strategies and include WCAG in their digital projects. By voicing the concerns of marginalized communities or people with disability, NGOs help might create a digital landscape that is welcoming and usable for all Ukrainian citizens, regardless of their abilities. And this might have a positive impact on the future of Ukraine as well.