The verdict in three sentences
An inaccessible site excludes about 15 % of visitors living with a disability and exposes public and banking sites to growing legal risk. The WCAG 2.1 level AA base rests on four pillars: 4.5:1 contrast, alt text, keyboard navigation and semantic structure. Compliance costs a fraction of the project and broadens the audience while strengthening SEO.
The WCAG 2.1 AA criteria that really matter
A screen reader (NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack) reads the page aloud. If the code is poorly structured, the visually impaired user is lost. Here are the priority criteria and their impact.
| WCAG 2.1 AA criterion | Concrete requirement | Impact if missing |
|---|---|---|
| Text contrast | Ratio ≥ 4.5:1 (3:1 large text) | Text unreadable for low vision |
| Alt text | Alt on every meaningful image | Images silent to screen reader |
| Keyboard navigation | Everything usable without a mouse | Total block for some disabilities |
| Semantic structure | h1-h6 headings, landmarks, ARIA | Screen reader disoriented |
| Visible focus | Clear outline on active element | Lost bearings with keyboard |
| Labelled forms | Label tied to each field | Anonymous fields, errors |
| No keyboard trap | Exit possible from any component | User stuck |
Bonus: these same practices (semantic HTML, alt, structure) improve SEO, because Google's crawlers "read" the page somewhat like a screen reader.
Audit, legal risk and cost 2026
An accessibility audit combines automated tools (axe, Lighthouse) and manual screen-reader testing. Public, banking and institutional sites are the most exposed to reputational and regulatory risk.
| Item | 2026 detail (order of magnitude) |
|---|---|
| Showcase site accessibility audit | 150,000-400,000 FCFA |
| Institutional/banking site audit | 500,000-1,500,000 FCFA |
| Showcase compliance work | 200,000-600,000 FCFA |
| Institutional compliance work | 1,000,000-4,000,000 FCFA |
| Population concerned (disability) | ~15 % |
| Recommended target level | WCAG 2.1 AA |
| Audit tools | axe, Lighthouse, NVDA, VoiceOver |
| Audit + fixes delay (showcase) | 1-3 weeks |
For an institutional or banking site, accessibility is part of the premium spec (Kolonell includes it in the Institutional division with a WCAG 2.1 AA audit). For a showcase site, it is an affordable add-on that broadens the audience.
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Mini case study
A health mutual launches a member portal. Out of 40,000 visitors/year, about 15 % = 6,000 people live with a disability, including some visually impaired users unable to fill the unlabelled membership form.
After a 350,000 FCFA audit and 500,000 FCFA of compliance work, contrast, alt and labelled forms are fixed. The form completion rate for screen-reader users rises from 62 % to 78 %, and the site also gains in SEO. Total investment 850,000 FCFA, paid back by unlocked memberships and the averted legal risk.
FAQ
Is accessibility mandatory in Senegal? For public and institutional sites, it is a strong expectation aligned with international standards (WCAG/RGAA). For the private sector it is not systematically imposed, but reputational risk and lost audience justify the effort.
What is the minimum to target? The WCAG 2.1 AA level is the reference standard: 4.5:1 contrast, alt text, full keyboard navigation and semantic structure. AAA is reserved for very specific cases.
Does accessibility slow the site down? No, quite the opposite: clean semantic HTML is often lighter and better structured, which helps performance and ranking.
Can an existing site be made accessible? Yes. An audit identifies the gaps, then fixes are made in batches (contrast, alt, focus, forms). For a showcase site, expect 1 to 3 weeks.
How many visitors does this really concern? About 15 % of the population lives with a disability (visual, motor, cognitive). Out of 40,000 annual visitors, that is 6,000 people potentially excluded by a non-compliant site.
Let's talk about your project. We audit your site against WCAG 2.1 AA and make it screen-reader compatible to broaden your audience. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
