Web accessibility in Italy is regulated by the Italian Agency for Digital (AGID) and provides for obligations to adapt to precise guidelines to which public and private entities must adhere as required by Law.
Stanca Law
The reference standard for the accessibility of websites in Italy is the Stanca law, or law 4/2004, which establishes the provisions for the access of disabled people to IT tools.
This Law that was extended the following year by implementing regulations defines the requirements and provisions to be complied with to ensure the full accessibility and usability of websites and mobile applications to all citizens.
The Stanca Law initially involved the Public Administration and private entities concessionaires of public services.
Decree-Law 76/2020 has extended accessibility obligations to private entities that have reached an average turnover of more than 500 million euros in the last three years of activity.
These three subjects are obliged to comply with the guidelines issued by the Italian Agency for Digital regarding Web accessibility and to insert in the website’s footer a Declaration of Accessibility that declares or self-declares compliance.
AGID
The Italian Agency for Digital, under the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, is the body that contributes to the diffusion of information and communication technologies (ICT).
Agid promotes and promotes Web accessibility by supervising the implementation of legislation in this regard: periodically verifies the accessibility of the digital services of the Public Administration and private individuals affected by the Tired Law and implements sanctions in case of violation.
Finally, it is responsible for disseminating the issue of Web accessibility, issuing guidelines, circulars, and technical rules to support professionals in compliance with current regulations.
From a technical point of view, the Web accessibility guidelines issued by the Agency for Digital Italy are based on the AA level of the Guidelines for the Accessibility of Web Content (WCAG) 2.1.