Digital accessibility: how are sectors performing in the Netherlands?
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Imagine trying to take out health insurance online, book a train ticket, or simply read the news. For millions of people in the Netherlands, these are everyday actions done in just a few clicks. But for people with disabilities, the same websites can become real obstacles — caused by low color contrast, unreadable text, or interactive elements that are hard to use.
Digital accessibility goes far beyond legal compliance. It raises a fundamental question: can everyone truly participate online? Eye-Able analyzed more than 250 leading Dutch websites, assessing their accessibility against international standards. The digital world should be open to all — but is the Netherlands really delivering on that promise?
Government sets the standard
With an average accessibility score of 84.32, the public sector clearly leads the way. That’s no coincidence. Since the introduction of the European Web Accessibility Directive, government organizations have not only had a legal obligation to be accessible — they also carry a fundamental responsibility. Citizens must be able to communicate with their government easily, regardless of any disability.
The results show that this responsibility is being taken seriously. Websites such as those of the UWV, GGD, and various ministries score remarkably high. The UWV even ranks as the highest-scoring website in the entire study. These platforms are clearly structured, use sufficient color contrast, and are fully operable via keyboard and screen reader.
Where commercial organizations are sometimes tempted by eye-catching designs, animations, and complex navigation, government websites deliberately prioritize simplicity and clarity — proving that accessible design and strong usability go hand in hand.
Education and politics perform strongly
Education (76.06) and politics (73.83) also show strong results. In both sectors, there is clear awareness of the importance of accessibility. Educational institutions in particular have a strong incentive: all students must be able to access education — including students with disabilities who rely on accessible study materials, schedules, and digital learning environments.
The political sector scores above average as well. Websites of the Dutch House of Representatives, the Royal Household, and various political parties are largely accessible. This aligns with their role in society: if you represent the public, everyone should be able to reach you. And ultimately, accessibility can influence public trust — and even votes.
Healthcare and finance rank just below the top
The healthcare sector (72.45) and the financial sector (73.33) sit in the upper middle range — still with solid accessibility scores. In both sectors, accessibility is not only a legal requirement but also a moral one. People need to be able to access medical information, schedule appointments, and manage their finances without unnecessary barriers.
Hospitals show that accessibility and modern web design can go hand in hand. The best hospital websites score above 90, standing out for strong contrast use and clear structure. A similar pattern appears in banking and insurance: the highest-scoring sites have made a conscious commitment to accessibility — and that choice clearly pays off.
The laggards: e-commerce, retail, and travel
E-commerce (55.28), retail (61.52), and travel & tourism (54.73) trail behind. Ironically, these sectors rely most on online customers — yet unintentionally make it harder for many people to use their sites. The reasons are understandable: e-commerce platforms are packed with dynamic elements like product videos, filter menus, live-updating carts, and promotional pop-ups. When not designed accessibly, these features quickly become barriers.
Travel websites face similar challenges. Complex booking forms with dozens of fields, interactive maps for room selection, and flight search tools with hard-to-use date pickers may look great — but they can block access for people with disabilities.
And that’s the paradox: these sectors have the most to gain from accessibility. A more accessible webshop means more customers, higher revenue, and a stronger reputation. Yet accessibility still isn’t always high on the priority list.
Media and sports deliver average results
The media (64.91) and sports (64.03) sectors land squarely in the middle. For media organizations, digital accessibility is essential — everyone should be able to access news and information. Sports organizations, meanwhile, aim to engage fans and encourage participation.
Both sectors still face challenges. Media websites are packed with videos, livestreams, news feeds, and interactive elements. Sports clubs and federations run sites with membership systems, match schedules, and ticketing flows. All of this functionality needs to be accessible — and that’s where things can break down.
That said, the scores reveal wide variation within these sectors. Some media companies and organizations like the KNLTB score well above 80, while others fall below 50 — showing that strong accessibility is achievable, but not yet consistent.
Accessibility by sector: an overview
The more complex a website becomes, the harder it is to keep it accessible. Government, education, and healthcare platforms deliberately prioritize clarity and simplicity. E-commerce and travel websites, on the other hand, rely heavily on personalized content and interactive features — and too often, accessibility gets left behind in the process.
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