Understanding Colombia’s NTC 5854 Web Accessibility Standard
What is NTC 5854?
NTC 5854 is Colombia’s Technical Standard for Web Accessibility, which sets rules to ensure websites are usable by people with disabilities. It aligns with international guidelines (like the WCAG) and applies to Colombia's public and private sector websites.
Key Requirements in Simple Terms
The standard groups accessibility rules into three levels of compliance:
- Level A (Basic Accessibility) – The minimum requirements, such as:
- Providing text alternatives for images (so screen readers can describe them).
- Ensure keyboard navigation works (for users who can’t use a mouse).
- Avoiding content that flashes rapidly (which can trigger seizures).
- Level AA (Stronger Accessibility) – Includes stricter rules, like:
- Ensuring sufficient color contrast (for users with low vision).
- Offering captions for videos (for deaf or hard-of-hearing users).
- Making forms and buttons easy to understand and use.
- Level AAA (Highest Accessibility) – The most advanced level, such as:
- Providing sign language interpretation for videos.
- Ensuring text can be resized without breaking the page layout.
Important Dates
- The standard was ratified by ICONTEC (Colombia’s standards body) and is enforced under Law 1618 of 2013, which guarantees disability rights in Colombia 1.
- While there’s no single "deadline" for compliance, organizations are encouraged to implement accessibility as soon as possible, especially government websites under the digital inclusion policies 511.
Why This Matters
Following NTC 5854 helps ensure that all Colombians, including those with disabilities, can access online services, education, and jobs without barriers. It also allows businesses to avoid legal risks and reach a wider audience.
This explanation is based on the official NTC 5854 standard and related government documents. For the full technical details, refer to the Ministry of ICT’s official page on technical standards.