International Research Journal of Education and Technology

Web accessibility ensures that people with disabilities can access, understand, and navigate digital content without barriers. As the internet becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, the importance of accessibility continues to grow, enabling individuals with disabilities to participate equally in education, employment, social interaction, and e-commerce. However, despite significant advancements in accessibility technologies and standards, challenges persist across different regions and industries. This study aims to provide a comparative analysis of web accessibility initiatives, focusing on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), legal frameworks, implementation challenges, and emerging trends. The research examines accessibility adoption in government websites, e- commerce platforms, and social media to highlight disparities in compliance and user experience. Furthermore, the paper discusses cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and the Internet of Things (IoT), that contribute to improving accessibility. The findings suggest that while accessibility standards such as WCAG have been widely adopted in developed countries, many developing regions still struggle with enforcement and implementation due to financial, technical, and policy constraints.

Keywords: Web Accessibility, Digital Inclusion, Accessibility Standards.