Article published in the February 2025 issue of D’HANDWIERK.
To support craft businesses in this transition and facilitate their adaptation, Mr. François Engels, General Coordinator of the Office de la surveillance de l’accessibilité des produits et services (OSAPS), and Mr. Julien Desmulier, representative of the IT services company Q-Leap, provided their insights through four questions.
“Nearly 15% of the population of Luxembourg is disabled, which means that one in seven people in Luxembourg is potentially unable to consult websites.”
- What are the main technical challenges companies face when seeking to make their digital platforms compliant with the law on accessibility of products and services?
Bringing digital platforms into line with the RAWeb standard (Règlement grand-ducal relatif à l’accessibilité des sites internet et des applications mobiles des organismes du secteur public) represents a major technical challenge for companies, particularly in Luxembourg. The RAWeb imposes strict requirements to guarantee digital accessibility for people with disabilities, ensuring that websites and applications are usable by all, including those with visual, hearing, motor or cognitive impairments.
Whether for recent or older systems, adapting existing platforms to RAWeb requirements requires precise technical adjustments. One of the main challenges is to guarantee compliance without altering the essential functionality of the platforms. Simplifying interfaces without compromising the overall user experience is also a major challenge. Accessibility requirements, such as content prioritization, color contrasts and navigation, must be integrated while maintaining a fluid, intuitive interface.
Another major challenge is the lack of specialized skills in digital accessibility. Few development and testing teams are familiar with RAWeb standards and associated best practices. This gap complicates the implementation of appropriate tests, which need to combine automated tools and in-depth manual assessments.
Last but not least, compliance costs and timescales represent a strategic challenge. With the deadline set for June 2025, companies need to rapidly allocate sufficient resources to adapt their platforms, while respecting budgetary constraints.
- What tools or methodologies do you recommend to enable SMEs to carry out an initial digital accessibility assessment on their own?
There are a number of free, easy-to-use tools available to help SMEs in Luxembourg carry out an initial RAWeb-compliant digital accessibility assessment:
- Lighthouse, integrated into Chrome and Edge browsers, enables a quick accessibility audit to be carried out without any additional installation.
- Axe DevTools, an extension that provides detailed analyses of accessibility problems directly in the browser, with concrete recommendations.
- NVDA, a screen reader for testing the compatibility of interfaces with assistive technologies.
- Q-Leap bookmarklets, to quickly identify accessibility problems on a web page.
- What key steps need to be taken to integrate digital accessibility right from the platform design phase?
- Integrate accessibility into the definition of requirements.
- Train teams in good accessibility practices.
- Design for All.
- Use accessible components and tools.
- Prototype and test early with accessibility tools.
- Do you see the legal obligation of June 2025 as an opportunity for companies?
The legal obligation to comply with the RAWeb by June 2025 is a real opportunity for companies to improve the overall quality of their digital platforms. Not only can they expand their audience, they can also optimize their interfaces, automate testing and improve the user experience (UX).
About Q-Leap
Q-Leap, a Luxembourg-based company specializing in software quality for over 13 years, offers auditing, consulting and training services. It also helps companies to comply with accessibility standards.
