Administrative bodies, persons performing public functions and organizations providing public services have a legal obligation to ensure that their websites and mobile applications are in compliance with the accessibility requirements.

To establish how well is implement this obligation, the State e-Government Agency, monitors and checks samples of the websites and mobile applications of public sector organizations.

The monitoring and the checks shall be in accordance with the methodology developed by the SeGA for monitoring and checking the accessibility of the content of websites and mobile applications, which shall comply with Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1524 of 11 October 2018 establishing a monitoring methodology and the arrangements for reporting by Member States in accordance with Directive (EU) 2016/2102.

How we make selection of samples

The samples take into account the requirements for heterogeneity, geographical balance, variety of public services, importance for stakeholders, etc.

The size of the sample is determined depending on the observation period, the monitoring method and the population of the Republic of Bulgaria.

First monitoring period

• for websites: from 1 January 2020 to 22 December 2021

• for mobile applications: from 23 June 2021 to 22 December 2021

During the first monitoring period, the State Agency will monitor and verify:

• 215 sites using the simplified monitoring method (simplified testing) – mainly through automated testing

• 21 sites using the in-depth monitoring method (in-depth testing)

• 13 mobile applications using the in-depth monitoring method

Simplified monitoring method

Inspections using the simplified monitoring method shall cover key aspects of accessibility, such as:

- page title;

- text alternatives for graphical and nontext objects (images, diagrams, buttons, controls in forms, etc.) (“alt text”);

- page titles (headings);

- contrast ratio;

- keyboard access and visible focus;

- forms, labels and errors (including search fields);

- moving, illuminating or flashing content;

- multimedia (video, audio) alternatives;

- check the basic structure.

Automatic testing tools to be used: Wave Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool, W3 HTML Validator, CheckMyColours, etc.

In-depth monitoring method

The in-depth monitoring method checks compliance with all requirements of the harmonised standard EN 301 549 v2.1.2.2018 (2018-08)/WCAG 2.1 level of accessibility AA.  

The next monitoring period in 2022 will also include a re-checking of some sites previously audited.