The document discusses the critical need for digital accessibility in websites and apps, particularly for users with disabilities in the Netherlands. It highlights the legal requirements for government agencies to ensure their digital products comply with accessibility standards and the necessity of publishing accessibility statements. The concept of 'humanity-by-design' is presented as an approach to create digital applications that respect individual dignity and fundamental rights while aiming for a broader audience beyond those with recognized disabilities.

1. Humanity by Design:
A new design approach for development of digital products and services
Authors: Leon Dohmen, Liesbeth Ruoff - van Welzen, Joan Baaijens, Natascha van
Duuren and Victor de Pous
The impact of poorly accessible websites and apps is great. Hundreds of thousands of people
in the Netherlands with severe or mild disabilities are excluded or inconvenienced. Citizens
and consumers with other disabilities, such as low literacy, also have problems with digital
accessibility. So, there is "work to be done" for web and app builders. (1)
Digital accessibility
The 'Temporary Decree on Digital Accessibility for Government' (2) stipulates that websites
and (mobile) apps of Dutch government agencies must comply with accessibility requirements.
This means that the websites and apps in question must be accessible to all relevant users,
regardless of a person's physical or mental condition. (3) Government organizations must
publish the accessibility statement in a register stating what measures have been taken to make
and keep the website and/or app accessible. (4) Level A means that an app or website fully
complies (5) with the accessibility requirements. Level D means that it does not comply. As of
June 23, 2021, government apps must now also have an accessibility statement. As of June 22,
2021, (only) one app out of approximately 1,000 (government-related) apps had a qualification
at level A. (6)
An alternative example of a quality mark for digital accessibility is the website of the VieCuri
hospital in Venlo. This website meets the 'drempelvrij' quality mark. This hallmark is awarded
by the Accessibility Foundation (expertise centre for accessible ICT). The Accessibility
Foundation has checked whether the site complies with the so-called Web Guidelines. These
guidelines guarantee that everyone can use the site, regardless of their disability.
Legal obligation
A (legal) obligation is apparently needed as an incentive to guarantee digital accessibility. So
far, little has been done to make digital facilities 'barrier-free'. For most IT and information
professionals this is unknown territory, or they are insufficiently aware of it. (8) Training
courses also pay (far too) little attention to this issue. With the themes of smart humanity (9)
and humanity-by-design (10), the Royal Dutch Association of Information Professionals
(KNVI) has long been arguing for (legal) protection of people against digital obstacles and
misuse. A Digital Magna Carta is used as a metaphor for this. (11) An accessibility statement
for websites and apps is therefore an excellent step in the right direction. However, such a
hallmark is of little use if only a few apps and websites have a level A (or a 'barrier-free')
hallmark. In this context, Humanity-by-design offers a relevant handle
Humanity-by-design
Humanity-by-design includes a guideline to achieve apps and websites that focus on the
fundamental dignity of the individual human being as end-user. In addition to respecting and

2. protecting fundamental rights, such as privacy and adherence to legal security standards,
humanity-by-design also governs themes such as autonomy, control over technology, human
dignity, justice, and power relations.' This guidance is a collaborative effort of the KNVI
Interest Groups Research and Education ICT, Digital Skills and published by the IT Law
Interest Group in book release 'Multidisciplinary aspects of COVID-19 apps'. (12)
Accessibility of apps, as part of humanity-by-design, is about respecting autonomy, control
over technology and human dignity. It does not only take into account people with 'recognized'
disabilities but looks more broadly at the target audience when developing a digital facility.
What this means is nicely described in the chapter "The making of CoronaMelder: an app for
all of the Netherlands" of the aforementioned book. (13)
Notes:
1. Overheidsapps vaak onbruikbaar voor mensen met beperking: 'Er moet een omslag
komen' | NOS
2. Wat is verplicht? | Digitoegankelijk
3. Dit Besluit is een uitwerking van de Europese Toegankelijkheidsrichtlijn. Websites
kenden die verplichting al (23-09-2020) en vanaf 23 juni 2021 is die verplichting ook
van kracht voor overheids apps. Vanaf deze datum moeten overheidsinstanties apps
toegankelijk maken op basis van de toegankelijkheidseisen uit de Europese standaard
EN 301 549. Deze eisen zijn identiek aan toegankelijkheidsnorm WCAG 2.1, niveau
A + AA.
4. Beleid in Nederland en Europa | Digitoegankelijk
5. Vanaf vandaag geldt de wettelijke verplichting toegankelijkheid ook voor apps -
appt.nl
6. Overheidsapps vaak onbruikbaar voor mensen met beperking: 'Er moet een omslag
komen' | NOS
7. Digitale toegankelijkheid website VieCuri krijgt weer Drempelvrij-keurmerk -
ICT&health (icthealth.nl)
8. Bedrijven en overheid hebben een zorgplicht voor digitaal zwakkeren (blogit.nl)
9. Nieuw KNVI boek: Smart Humanity; de mens met 1-0 op voorsprong - www.knvi.nl
10. Humanity by design - Leidraad voor digitalisering die de mens centraa…
(slideshare.net)
11. Digitaliseren en verantwoordelijkheid | iBestuur
12. Boek ‘Multidisciplinaire aspecten van COVID-19 apps’ nu verkrijgbaar! -
www.knvi.nl
13. Multidisciplinaire aspecten van covid 19 apps, pag.104 en CoronaMelder UX &
design: hét verhaal achter de app - Frankwatching