An accessible site is a site usable by everyone — including people with disabilities. It is not a luxury: it is good design, sometimes a legal requirement, and always a service rendered to all your visitors.

Why it matters

Accessibility benefits go well beyond disability:

• a visually impaired person uses a screen reader;
• a hard-of-hearing person needs captions;
• but also: you, on mobile in bright sunlight, with one hand busy, or on a slow connection.

An accessible site is clearer, faster and better ranked — Google rewards good practices.

RGAA and WCAG: who does what

• WCAG: the international accessibility rules (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).
• RGAA: their French adaptation (Référentiel Général d’Amélioration de l’Accessibilité).

For the public sector (and certain large companies), accessibility is mandatory. For everyone else, it is strongly recommended — and increasingly expected.

The principles (the 4 POUR pillars)

The content must be:

• Perceivable: alternative text on images, captions, contrast.
• Operable: navigable by keyboard, large enough targets, no traps.
• Understandable: clear language, predictable behavior.
• Robust: compatible with assistive technologies (screen readers).

Simple habits, big impact

1. Alternative text (alt) on informative images.
2. Sufficient contrast between text and its background.
3. Structured headings (a single H1, a logical hierarchy).
4. Keyboard navigation (tabbing) possible everywhere.
5. Explicit links (“Read the GDPR guide”, not “click here”).
6. Captions on videos.
7. Do not convey information by color alone.

Key takeaway

Accessibility is not a technical constraint reserved for experts: it is attention throughout the design process. A few good habits — alt, contrast, structure, keyboard — make your site better for everyone, and spare you a painful compliance overhaul later.

For the public sector, an accessibility statement and an RGAA audit may be required: get expert support.