UAE requirements guide
UAE digital accessibility requirements, explained simply
The UAE National Digital Accessibility Policy, issued in March 2024 and led by TDRA, asks entities to make their websites, apps and digital services usable by People of Determination and senior citizens. This guide explains what it covers, which standard applies and how to start.
Last reviewed: November 2026
At a glance
What the policy covers
Who leads it
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).
What it covers
Websites, mobile apps, software and digital interfaces, including government and public services.
Who it targets
Federal and local government, semi-government entities, private providers of public services such as healthcare, education and e-commerce, digital content producers, and telecom and device providers.
Which standard
The UAE Design System (AEGOV) instructs federal government entities to meet WCAG 2.1 at level AA.
A named owner
The policy defines the role of a Digital Accessibility Officer to drive compliance inside each entity.
Guidance and oversight
A Technical Guidance Manual sets out best practice, and the policy sets up oversight of implementation and compliance.
This guide is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Always check the official policy and TDRA guidance for the duties that apply to your entity.
The legal basis
Laws and rules behind digital accessibility in the UAE
| Law or rule | Year | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| National Digital Accessibility Policy | 2024 | Sets the national direction for accessible digital services, led by TDRA. |
| Federal Law No. 29 on the Rights of People of Determination (amended 2009) | 2006 | General rights law: equality and access to services. |
| Dubai Law No. 3 on the Rights of People of Determination | 2022 | Dubai law covering education, employment, health and services. |
| UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) | 2010 | Ratified by the UAE; includes access to information and communication technology. |
What to do
Seven steps to meet the policy
Name an owner
Appoint your Digital Accessibility Officer and give them a clear mandate.
Audit your services
Test your most used websites, apps and e-services against WCAG at level AA. See our Accessibility audit.
Fix what matters most
Start with the services People of Determination and senior citizens use most.
Make documents accessible
PDF, Word, Excel and PowerPoint files you publish must be readable too, including Arabic files. See Arabic PDF remediation.
Publish a statement
Many ministries publish a digital accessibility statement that explains their status and how to report problems.
Train your teams
Developers, designers, content and document teams need practical skills so new content is accessible from the start.
Track and report
Measure progress over time and report it to leadership and regulators.
How we help
Support for every step
Accessibility audits
Websites, apps and e-services tested against WCAG 2.2 AA, which includes every WCAG 2.1 AA requirement. Learn more.
Document remediation
Arabic and English PDF, Word, Excel and PowerPoint files made accessible. Learn more.
Training
Practical, role-based training for Digital Accessibility Officers and their teams, with certificates. Learn more.
Tracking and reporting
Dashboards that show status and progress for one entity or many. Learn more.
Long-term support
A dedicated expert who works with your team over time. Learn more.
Government experience
We have worked with government entities in the UAE on audits, training and consultation. See our approach.
Questions
Common questions about UAE requirements
Is digital accessibility required in the UAE?
Yes for government digital services. The National Digital Accessibility Policy (2024), led by TDRA, sets the direction, and the UAE Design System instructs federal entities to meet WCAG 2.1 AA.
Which WCAG version should we follow?
The UAE Design System names WCAG 2.1 level AA for federal entities. We test to WCAG 2.2 AA, which includes all WCAG 2.1 AA requirements and adds nine more, so you are ready for the future.
Does the policy apply to private companies?
The policy also targets private providers of public services, such as healthcare, education and e-commerce, and digital content producers. Check the official policy for the duties that apply to you.
What does a Digital Accessibility Officer do?
They own accessibility inside the entity: they plan the work, follow up audits and fixes, train teams and report progress.
Do PDF and Word documents count?
Yes. Documents you publish are part of your digital service. They need tags, reading order, headings and alt text, in Arabic and English.
Where should we start?
Start with an audit of your most used services and documents. It shows the biggest barriers and what to fix first. We reply within 1 working day.
Need help meeting the policy?
Tell us about your entity and services. We reply within 1 working day.