Andonovski: Public sector websites and apps must meet accessibility standards by 31 December
Minister Stefan Andonovski set a December 31 deadline for public sector websites and apps to comply with digital accessibility requirements under the law.
Existing websites and mobile apps of public sector institutions must comply with digital accessibility standards by December 31 this year, Minister for Digital Transformation Stefan Andonovski said today.
Speaking at an event in Parliament on the occasion of International White Cane Day, Andonovski emphasised that accessibility applies not only to physical spaces but also to digital services through which citizens get information, submit requests and access institutional services.
Key obligations and technical requirements
Andonovski outlined the law’s technical expectations: websites and mobile applications should support keyboard navigation, voice control and assistive devices; functions must be clear and predictable; and content must be compatible with assistive technologies. Accessible alternatives must be provided, including textual descriptions of images, audio descriptions, headings, transcripts and alternative formats. Citizens may request an accessible alternative, and the institution must respond within 15 working days with either the alternative or a suitable explanation.
"For blind people and persons with impaired vision, an accessible electronic service can mean independently reading information, filling out a form or receiving a document. That means saved time, less need for somebody else's help and greater privacy when using personal data," Andonovski said.
He recalled that the Law on Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of public sector institutions was adopted in Parliament last year and became applicable on 1 July 2026, aligning domestic regulation for the first time with EU Directive 2016/2102.
"Institutions have an obligation to publish an accessibility statement and to enable reporting of problems. This is an important step, and its value should be felt in every use of public services. Therefore our work continues by monitoring implementation, supporting institutions and cooperating with users," the minister stressed. He added that organisations of persons with disabilities, institutional representatives and the academic community took part in preparing the law, and their involvement should continue during development and testing of digital services.
Photo: press material from the event
