Accessibility and compliance are two distinct but often linked concepts in the context of digital businesses and services. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they actually have distinct meanings, and are also complementary in some cases!
We take stock of the main differences and their relationship in the field of vocational training.
Accessibility
Definition of accessibility
Accessibility refers to the design of products, environments, programs, and services so that they can be used by all people, regardless of physical, sensory, or cognitive abilities. For training platforms, accessibility means that the content and interfaces of the platform are designed to be usable by all people, including those with disabilities.
Accessibility objective
Ensure that all learners, regardless of their physical, sensory or cognitive abilities, can access the training content and interact with the platform without barriers.
example
- User interfaces adapted for screen readers.
- Training videos with subtitles and text transcripts.
- Keyboard navigation for users with motor difficulties.
- Sufficient color contrast and font size options for people with poor eyesight.
Compliance or Compliance
Definition
Compliance, or compliance, refers to compliance with laws, regulations, standards and guidelines applicable to a business or organization. This may include industry specific regulations, security standards, data protection laws, and more.
Objective
Guarantee that the training platform operates legally and ethically, complying with all applicable regulatory requirements and standards.
Examples
- Compliance with privacy standards such as the RGPD (General Data Protection Regulation) in Europe.
- Compliance with information security standards such as ISO 27001.
- Adherence to the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) for web accessibility and to the RGAA (the General Accessibility Improvement Framework).
Explanation: Today, there are two accessibility standards for professionals: the RGAA (General Reference for Improving Accessibility) established by France and the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), its international equivalent. The 2 are complementary: the complexity of WCAG requires specific application methods and that's where the RGAA comes in!
Relationship between accessibility and compliance
In France, we have a principle of non-discrimination enshrined in the law. Every employer is required to ensure access to training for all employees, including those with disabilities. In 2005, a law was put in place to promote the accessibility of websites, in particular for public services. This law requires these services to declare their level of accessibility according to the General Accessibility Improvement Framework (RGAA). Recently, an ordinance extended these obligations to almost all businesses, including multimedia and e-commerce, with the exception of small SMEs with a turnover of less than 2 million euros.
Let's say an online training platform is used by a company to train its employees in new skills:
- Accessibility: The platform integrates features such as text-to-speech for online courses, audio descriptions for graphics, and the ability to adjust fonts and colors to improve readability.
- Compliance: The platform ensures that all user data is stored securely and in compliance with the GDPR, and that the training content meets WCAG 2.1 standards for web accessibility.
In summary, to comply with certain regulations, a training platform must often meet accessibility criteria. By complying with compliance standards, training platforms can naturally improve their accessibility. So a virtuous circle.
