Accessibility Requirement Introduced for Websites and Mobile Applications

With the Presidential Circular No. 2025/10 published in the Official Gazette dated 21 June 2025 and numbered 32933, significant regulations have been introduced to ensure the accessibility of websites and mobile applications by persons with disabilities and elderly individuals, aiming to provide equal access to public services. Key highlights of the Circular are summarized below:

Pursuant to Law No. 5378 on Persons with Disabilities (“Law”), ensuring accessibility in information and communication technologies is mandatory.

Under Provisional Article 3 of the Law, the Ministry of Family and Social Policies shall impose an administrative monetary penalty ranging from TRY 5,000 to TRY 25,000 for each instance of non-compliance on metropolitan municipalities, municipalities, and other public institutions and organizations that failed to fulfill their prescribed obligations. The total amount of administrative monetary penalties to be imposed in this manner within one year cannot exceed TRY 500,000. Administrative monetary penalties imposed under this article must be paid within one month from the date of notification.

       1.Commissions

• Accessibility Monitoring Commission for Websites and Mobile Applications (Monitoring Commission): Established under the chairmanship of the Ministry of Family and Social Services.
• Accessibility Advisory Commission for Websites and Mobile Applications (Advisory Commission): Formed under the chairmanship of the relevant Deputy Minister, with the participation of the Ministries of Interior, Transport and Infrastructure, TÜBİTAK, Türksat, and two confederations.
• Accessibility Review Commission for Websites and Mobile Applications (Review Commission): To be established within each institution, organization, or company. It will be responsible for technical reviews and reporting.

       2.Implementation Deadlines

• Public institutions, municipalities, universities, banks, private hospitals, private schools, transportation companies, A-group travel agencies, and electronic communication operators with more than 200,000 subscribers must comply to Accessibility Control List – Level A and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2) within 1 year.
  
  
• E-commerce service providers must comply within 2 years.

       3.Procedures and Principles

• The Accessibility Control List – Level A and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2) will be published on the Ministry’s website.
  
  
• Websites and mobile applications deemed accessible will be awarded an Accessibility Logo valid for 2 years.

The working procedures of all commissions will be determined by the Ministry of Family and Social Services.