In the era of digital governance, web accessibility is not an optional technical feature — it is a fundamental human rights issue. A government portal is more than a website; it is the primary interface between the state and its citizens. If that interface excludes people with disabilities, low digital literacy, or assistive technology needs, it creates a new form of digital inequality.
True digital transformation must therefore be inclusive by design — ensuring that every citizen, regardless of physical, sensory, cognitive, or technological barriers, can access public information and services with dignity and independence.
A Collaborative National Initiative
The Internet Society Nepal Chapter, in strategic collaboration with Open Internet Nepal and Diverse Patterns, proudly announces the completion of a comprehensive Web Accessibility Audit of the Department of Information Technology (DoIT) portal (www.doit.gov.np).
This initiative reflects a shared commitment to building a digital Nepal that is open, secure, inclusive, and trustworthy, where accessibility is embedded into systems — not treated as an afterthought.
Audit Methodology: A Multi-Modal Approach
Our audit adopted a hybrid evaluation model, combining:
- Automated testing tools to detect large-scale technical failures and code-level accessibility issues
- Manual expert assessments to evaluate real user experience, navigation logic, and assistive technology compatibility
This approach ensured both technical precision and human-centered evaluation.
Existing Strengths Identified
The DoIT portal already demonstrates positive practices, including:
- Logical tab navigation structure
- Correct language declarations
- Functional viewport scaling
- Foundational responsive design elements
These provide a strong base for accessibility maturity.
Key Accessibility Barriers Identified
Despite these strengths, the audit revealed several systemic barriers that limit equitable access:
Navigation Obstacles
- Absence of "Skip to Main Content" links
- Presence of mouse-only menus, making sections inaccessible to keyboard-only users
- Excessive tabbing required to reach core content
Information "Lock-outs"
- Heavy dependence on non-tagged, PDF-only documents
- Content inaccessible to screen readers and assistive technologies
Perceptual Barriers
- Missing alternative text for critical images
- Poor rendering of scripts such as Nepal Sambath
- Visual content without accessible descriptions
Interactive Failures
- Inaccessible chatbot systems
- Unlabeled form fields
- Search and support features unusable for screen reader users
These barriers do not reflect a lack of intent — they reflect the absence of systemic accessibility governance in digital platform development.
From Audit to Action: Integrated Accessibility Governance
To move beyond assessment and toward sustainable impact, we developed a set of Website Accessibility Implementation Guidelines designed for direct integration into the Integrated Website Management System.
This ensures that accessibility becomes:
- A continuous practice, not a one-time project
- A governance standard, not a developer preference
- A structural requirement, not a compliance checkbox
12-Week Priority Remediation Roadmap (WCAG 2.2 Level AA)
Priority 1: Critical Barriers
Immediate intervention
- Repair keyboard-inaccessible main menus
- Implement "Skip to Main Content" links
- Ensure all form fields have proper labels
Priority 2: Content Accessibility
Structural transformation
- Shift from PDF-first to HTML-first content publishing
- Establish logical heading hierarchy (H1–H6)
- Improve semantic structure for screen readers
Priority 3: Enhanced Usability
Visual and interaction improvements
- Fix color contrast (minimum 4.5:1 ratio)
- Add visible, high-contrast focus indicators
- Improve navigational clarity
Priority 4: Advanced Features
Inclusive innovation layer
- Integrate Nepali Sign Language (NSL) for multimedia
- Add captions and transcripts
- Optimize touch-target sizes (minimum 44x44 pixels)
- Re-engineer chatbot for screen reader compatibility
A National Model for Digital Inclusion
By adopting these recommendations, the DoIT portal has the opportunity to become a national benchmark for inclusive digital governance.
The benefits extend far beyond compliance:
- Equal access to public services
- Stronger citizen trust in digital systems
- Improved SEO and discoverability
- Better usability for all users
- Future-ready digital infrastructure
- Alignment with global digital inclusion standards
Accessibility is not charity — it is good governance, smart design, and responsible digital policy.
Our Commitment
We remain fully committed to supporting the Department of Information Technology in this transformation journey. Together, we can ensure that the digital front door of Nepal's government is open to every citizen, regardless of ability, access method, or device.
Digital government must not only be smart — it must be just, inclusive, and human-centered.
📥 Download Resources
Accessibility Audit Report
Comprehensive analysis of the DoIT portal's current accessibility status and detailed findings.
Download ReportImplementation Guidelines
Step-by-step website accessibility implementation guidelines for integration into systems.
Download Guidelines
