Hvem gør det bedst? 6 lande, der er førende inden for tilgængelighed

What makes a country accessible?

Accessibility affects everyday life in many ways: getting on a bus, entering a building, booking an appointment online or reading an official letter. A country is accessible when people with disabilities can do all of this independently and on equal terms.

Three things make the difference:

• Laws that set clear requirements for the public sector and for private companies.

• Enforcement through authorities that monitor compliance and respond to complaints.

• Implementation in practice, from step-free train stations to accessible websites.

Many countries have good laws on paper. The countries in this article also show progress in enforcement and everyday practice.

Is there an official ranking of the most accessible countries?

There is no single global ranking that covers every area of accessibility. The most comprehensive comparison of digital accessibility is the DARE Index by G3ict, a non-profit initiative. It assesses 137 countries on three areas: legal commitments, the capacity to implement them and the actual outcomes for people with disabilities.

In the most recent edition from 2020, Qatar, Australia and Israel took the top three places. Italy and France led the European countries. The index only measures digital accessibility policy and its implementation. It does not assess a country's overall human rights situation.

For cities, there is the Access City Award of the European Commission. In 2026, Zaragoza won first place, ahead of Valencia and Rennes. Sweden has won the award most often, with four first places since 2014.

Rankings are only one perspective, though. The following six countries are examples of different, successful approaches – not a ranking from first to sixth place.

Germany

Germany has had a Disability Equality Act for the public sector since 2002. The Accessible Information Technology Ordinance (BITV 2.0) requires federal public bodies to make their websites and apps accessible, and the federal states have similar rules.

The biggest change came on 28 June 2025. Since then, the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG), Germany's implementation of the European Accessibility Act, has also applied to many private companies, for example online shops, banks and providers of e-books. A central market surveillance authority checks compliance.

Germany is not among the top performers in international comparisons. But with the BFSG, accessibility has become a legal requirement for large parts of the private sector – a big step forward.

Sweden

Sweden is often cited as a pioneer of inclusion. The Swedish Agency for Participation (Myndigheten för delaktighet) coordinates national disability policy and supports public bodies in implementing it.

For digital services, Sweden has a law on the accessibility of digital public services. The Agency for Digital Government (DIGG) monitors whether public websites and apps meet the requirements. Since 2025, the European Accessibility Act has also applied to many private companies in Sweden.

Swedish cities also stand out in practice. No country has won the European Commission's Access City Award more often: Gothenburg (2014), Borås (2015), Jönköping (2021) and Skellefteå (2023) all took first place.

Italy

Italy was one of the first countries in Europe to pass a law on digital accessibility: the Legge Stanca of 2004. The Agency for Digital Italy (AgID) issues guidelines and monitors compliance. Public bodies and the companies covered by the law must publish or update an accessibility statement every year by 23 September.

Since 2020, the law has also applied to large private companies with an average annual turnover of more than €500 million. Violations can lead to fines of up to 5% of turnover. In the DARE Index 2020, Italy was the best-performing European country, ranking fourth worldwide with 75.5 out of 100 points.

Canada

The Accessible Canada Act came into force in 2019. It applies to federal authorities and to companies in federally regulated sectors, such as banks, telecommunications and transport.

In January 2026, the Canadian government published a roadmap towards a barrier-free Canada by 2040. It was developed together with people with disabilities, following the principle "Nothing Without Us". The need is great: in 2022, 27% of Canadians aged 15 and over reported having at least one disability.

Australia

In Australia, the Disability Discrimination Act has prohibited discrimination against people with disabilities since 1992. It applies to public authorities and private companies alike, for example in education, employment and access to services. Australia's Disability Strategy 2021–2031 sets out the national goals for the current decade.

Australia also performs strongly in digital accessibility. In the DARE Index 2020, it ranked second worldwide with 80 out of 100 points.

Japan

Japan combines technology with practical solutions in public spaces. Tactile paving, which guides blind people through streets and stations worldwide, was invented in Japan in the 1960s. Today, many train stations have tactile guidance systems, audible signals and accessible toilets.

Japan has also strengthened its legal framework. Since 1 April 2024, private companies have also been required to provide reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. Previously, this obligation applied mainly to public authorities.

What these countries have in common

Despite their different approaches, the six countries share a few things:

• Clear laws for the public and private sector: Accessibility is not voluntary but a legal obligation.

• Independent monitoring: Authorities check compliance and act on complaints.

• Involvement of people with disabilities: Canada's roadmap shows how much better solutions become when those affected help shape them.

• Physical and digital accessibility together: Step-free stations and accessible websites are both part of the picture.

What this means for digital accessibility

In all six countries, digital accessibility is becoming more and more important. In the EU, the European Accessibility Act has set common requirements for many digital products and services since 2025. The technical basis worldwide is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

At Eye-Able, we see every day how much difference accessible websites make. Our Web Accessibility Index shows how accessible the websites of different industries are – and where there is still work to do.

Conclusion

No country is completely barrier-free. But Germany, Sweden, Italy, Canada, Australia and Japan show what progress looks like: clear laws, consistent enforcement and solutions developed together with people with disabilities. The most important lesson applies to every country and every organisation: accessibility works best when it is planned from the start.

Curious how accessible your own website is? Our free accessibility check gives you a first overview in less than 2 minutes.

FAQ: accessible countries

Which country is the most accessible in the world?

There is no single answer, as no ranking covers every area of accessibility. In the DARE Index 2020 for digital accessibility, Qatar, Australia and Israel took the top three places. Countries such as Italy, Sweden, Canada and Japan are also often cited as examples of good practice.

Is there a global ranking for accessibility?

The most comprehensive global comparison is the DARE Index by G3ict. It assesses the digital accessibility of 137 countries. The most recent edition is from 2020. For cities in the EU, there is also the Access City Award of the European Commission.

How accessible is Germany?

Germany has had accessibility rules for the public sector for many years. Since 28 June 2025, the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) has also required many private companies to make their digital products and services accessible. In international comparisons, Germany is not among the top performers.

What makes a country accessible?

An accessible country has clear laws for the public and private sector, authorities that monitor compliance and practical solutions in everyday life. These include step-free public transport, accessible buildings and digital services that everyone can use.

Which laws regulate digital accessibility?

In the EU, the European Accessibility Act applies to many private companies and the Web Accessibility Directive to public bodies. Other examples are the Accessible Canada Act and Australia's Disability Discrimination Act. Most of these laws refer to the WCAG as the technical standard.