Proposal for a definition of Universal Digital Accessibility - UDA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17411/jacces.v16i2.716Abstract
The main objective is to establish a conceptual definition of Universal Digital Accessibility (UDA), based on legislation, standards, and specialised literature. The concept of accessibility, originally associated with geography and urban transport, later developed its own theoretical framework within linguistics, and has recently become widely associated with urban mobility. This study takes a qualitative approach, based on a theoretical and normative review, The methodological process was structured in four stages: 1) literature review and analysis; 2) analysis of legislation and standards; 3) structuring and transposition of concepts; 4) Relationship of digital accessibility and artificial intelligence. This study was built on established references in physical accessibility – including standards, legislation, indicators, and foundational concepts, as well as the principles of universal design – integrating them with content related to digital accessibility. Although the term "digital accessibility" already has definitions in certain fields, the innovative contribution of this research lies in the development of a new definition grounded in the convergence of these references. The proposed definition seeks to expand the understanding of digital accessibility beyond websites and online platforms, incorporating multiple perspectives and contexts of application.
References
Akeroyd, J., & Merlo, A. (2023). Meeting sustainable goals through improved digital accessibility of content: A landscape review in the university context. SCIRES-IT - SCIentific RESearch and Information Technology, 13(2), 161–170. https://doi.org/10.2423/i22394303v13n2p161
American with Disabilities Act (ADA). (1990). Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/ada/#subchapter-ii---public-services-title-ii
Ariel, M. (1988). Referring and accessibility. Journal of Linguistics, 24(1), 65–87. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022226700011567
Ariel, M. (1990). Accessing noun-phrase antecedents. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315857473
Ariel, M. (1991). The function of accessibility in a theory of grammar. Journal of Pragmatics, 16(5), 443–463. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-2166(91)90136-L
Barnes, C. (1996). Understanding Disability: From Theory to Practice. Michael Oliver. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, 23(3), Article 24. https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.2372
Basalla, G. (1988). The evolution of technology. Cambridge University Press. https://books.google.com.br/books?id=EBtnG36-1WIC&lpg=PA1&ots=nLzF- Y9m2g&dq=BASALLA%2C%20George.%20The%20Evolution%20of%20Technology.%20Cambridge%3A%20Cambridge%20University%20Press%2C%201988&lr&hl=pt-BR&pg=PA20#v=onepage&q=BASALLA,%20George.%20The%20Evo
Batabyal, A. A. (2016). Accessibility, vulnerability, and resilience in a stochastic model of sustainable ecotourism. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 43, 71–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2015.12.002
Brazil. (2000a). Constituição da República Federativa do Brasil: texto consolidado até a Emenda Constitucional nº 64, de 4 de fevereiro de 2010 [Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil as consolidated up to Constitutional Amendment No. 64 of 2010]. Senado Federal, Secretaria Especial de Editoração e Publicações.
Brazil. (2000b). Lei nº 10.098, de 19 de dezembro de 2000 [Law No. 10,098 of 19 December 2000]. http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/LEIS/L10098.htm
Brazil. (2004a). Decreto nº 5.296, de 2 de dezembro de 2004 [Decree No. 5,296 of 2 December 2004]. https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_Ato2004-2006/2004/Decreto/D5296.htm
Brazil. (2004b). Lei nº 10.933, de 11 de agosto de 2004 [Law No. 10,933 of 11 August 2004]. Diário Oficial da União.
Brazil. (2004c). Lei nº 11.012, de 21 de dezembro de 2004 [Law No. 11,012 of 21 December 2004]. Diário Oficial da União.
Brazil. (2005a). Decreto nº 5.542, de 20 de setembro de 2005 [Decree No. 5,542 of 20 September 2005]. Diário Oficial da União.
Brazil. (2006). Lei nº 11.318, de 5 de julho de 2006 [Law No. 11,318 of 5 July 2006]. Diário Oficial da União.
Brazil. (2009a). Decreto nº 6.949, de 25 de agosto de 2009 [Decree No. 6,949 of 25 August 2009]. Diário Oficial da União.
Brazil. (2009b). Decreto nº 6.991, de 2 de setembro de 2009 [Decree No. 6,991 of 2 September 2009]. Diário Oficial da União.
Brazil. (2012). Lei nº 12.587, de 3 de janeiro de 2012 [Law No. 12,587 of 3 January 2012]. Diário Oficial da União.
Brazil. (2014). Lei nº 12.965, de 23 de abril de 2014 [Law No. 12,965 of 23 April 2014]. Diário Oficial da União.
Brazil. (2015). Lei nº 13.146, de 6 de julho de 2015: Institui a Lei Brasileira de Inclusão da Pessoa com Deficiência (Estatuto da Pessoa com Deficiência) [Brazilian Law for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities]. Diário Oficial da União. https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2015-2018/2015/lei/l13146.htm
Brazil. (2016). Decreto nº 8.936, de 19 de dezembro de 2016 [Decree No. 8,936 of 19 December 2016]. Diário Oficial da União.
Brazil. (2018). Decreto nº 9.612, de 26 de novembro de 2018 [Decree No. 9,612 of 26 November 2018]. Diário Oficial da União.
Brazil. (2021). Lei nº 14.129, de 29 de março de 2021 [Law No. 14,129 of 29 March 2021]. Diário Oficial da União.
Brazil. (2023). Decreto nº 67.641, de 10 de abril de 2023 [Decree No. 67,641 of 10 April 2023]. Diário Oficial do Estado de São Paulo.
Brazil. (2024). Decreto nº 12.069, de 21 de junho de 2024 [Decree No. 12,069 of 21 June 2024]. Diário Oficial da União.
Brazil. (n.d.). Acessibilidade digital [Digital accessibility]. https://www.gov.br/governodigital/pt-br/acessibilidade-e-usuario/acessibilidade-digital
Brazil. (n.d.). Legislação da Presidência da República [Legislation of the Presidency of the Republic]. http://www.legislacao.presidencia.gov.br
Brazil, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. (2024). IA para o bem de todos: Proposta de Plano Brasileiro de Inteligência Artificial 2024–2028 [AI for the good of all: Proposal for the Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Plan 2024–2028]. https://www.gov.br/lncc/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/ultimas-noticias-1/plano-brasileiro-de-inteligencia-artificial-pbia-2024-2028
Brazil, Ministry of Education. (2005). Alfabetização tecnológica: A tecnologia no cotidiano da escola [Technological literacy: Technology in everyday school life]. MEC/SEED/ProInfo.
Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT). (n.d.). Normas Técnicas Brasileiras – ABNT Coleção [Brazilian Technical Standards – ABNT Collection]. https://www.abntcolecao.com.br/colecao.aspx
Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT). (2005). NBR 15290:2005 – Acessibilidade em comunicação na televisão [Accessibility in television communication]. ABNT.
Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT). (2008). NBR 15599:2008 – Acessibilidade — Comunicação na prestação de serviços [Accessibility—Communication in service provision]. ABNT.
Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT). (2012). NBR 15610-2:2012 – Transporte — Acessibilidade em veículos de características urbanas para o transporte coletivo de passageiros — Parte 2: Requisitos específicos [Transport—Accessibility in urban public transport vehicles—Part 2: Specific requirements]. ABNT.
Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT). (2016a). NBR 15290:2016 – Acessibilidade em comunicação na televisão [Accessibility in television communication]. ABNT.
Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT). (2016b). NBR 15610-3:2016 – Transporte — Acessibilidade em veículos — Parte 3: Ensaios laboratoriais [Transport—Accessibility in vehicles—Part 3: Laboratory testing]. ABNT.
Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT). (2020). NBR 9050:2020 – Acessibilidade a edificações, mobiliário, espaços e equipamentos urbanos [Accessibility to buildings, furniture, urban spaces and equipment]. ABNT.
Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT). (2022). NBR 17060:2022 – Acessibilidade em aplicativos de dispositivos móveis — Requisitos [Accessibility in mobile device applications—Requirements]. ABNT.
Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT). (2025a). NBR 14022:2025 – Acessibilidade em veículos de características urbanas para o transporte coletivo de passageiros [Accessibility in urban public transport vehicles]. https://www.abntcolecao.com.br/colecao.aspx
Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT). (2025b). NBR 17225:2025 – Acessibilidade em conteúdo e aplicações web — Requisitos [Accessibility in web content and applications—Requirements]. ABNT.
Cambiaghi, S. (2007). Desenho universal: métodos e técnicas para arquitetos e urbanistas. Editora Senac.
Center for Universal Design. (2025). Center for Universal Design – North Carolina State University. https://design.ncsu.edu/research/center-for-universal-design
Chakraborty, N., Mishra, Y., Bhattacharya, R., & Bhattacharya, B. (2023). Artificial intelligence: The road ahead for the accessibility of persons with disability. Materials Today: Proceedings, 80, 3757–3761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.07.374
Chemnad, K., & Othman, A. (2024). Digital accessibility in the era of artificial intelligence—Bibliometric analysis and systematic review. Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, 7, Article 1349668. https://doi.org/10.3389/frai.2024.1349668
Cortês Vieira, G., Baptista Manita, C., Ribeiro, C., & Pires Rosa, M. (2022). Digital literacy of elderly tourists in the Algarve destination. Journal of accessibility and design for all, 12(2), 180-211. https://doi.org/10.17411/jacces.v12i2.314
Department of General Services – DGS. (2025). ADA compliance – existing facilities. Califórnia State. https://www.dgs.ca.gov/CCDA/Resources/Page-Content/California-Commission-on-Disability-Access-Resources-List-Folder/ADA-Compliance---Existing-Facitlities?search=compliance%20ADA
Dicio. (n.d.). Acessibilidade. In Dicio: Dicionário Online de Português. https://www.dicio.com.br/acessibilidade
Dicio. (n.d.). Tecnologia. In Dicio: Dicionário Online de Português. https://www.dicio.com.br/tecnologia
Dischinger, M., Bins Ely, V. H. M., & Piardi, S. M. D. G. (2012). Promovendo acessibilidade espacial nos edifícios públicos: programa de acessibilidade às pessoas com deficiência ou mobilidade reduzida nas edificações de uso público. MPSC. https://ccj.paginas.ufsc.br/files/2021/08/Manual-acessibilidade-Promovendo-Acessibilidade-Espacial-nos-Edifi%CC%81cios-Pu%CC%81blicos-Marta-Dischinger.pdf
Esposito, A., Lanzilotti, R., Matera, M., Piccinno, A., Piro, L., Pucci, E., & Ragone, G. (2026). Web browsing through conversational AI: An empirical evaluation with blind and low-vision users. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2026.2659951
Gabriel, M. (2019). Inteligência artificial: do zero ao metaverso (1ª ed.). Editora Atlas.
Handy, S. (2020). Is accessibility an idea whose time has finally come? Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 83, 102319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2020.102319
Hansen, W. G. (1959). How accessibility shapes land use. Journal of the American Planning Association, 25(2), 73–76. https://doi.org/10.1080/01944365908978307
Inal, Y., Papachristos, E. (2026). The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Digital Accessibility: Student Perspective. In: Ardito, C., et al. Human-Computer Interaction – INTERACT 2025. INTERACT 2025. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 16108. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-04999-5_10
International Organization for Standardization. (2021). ISO 21542:2021(E) – Building construction — Accessibility and usability of the built environment. ISO. https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:21542:ed-2:v1:en
Jaya, S., Zaharudin, R., Bhartiya, S., & Alomari, M. (2026). AI-enhanced project-based learning to foster computational thinking and competency-based learning in agricultural STEM projects. ECNU Review of Education, 9(2), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1177/20965311261446194
Jones, J. R., & Echeles, J. (2026). Faculty’s digital accessibility assistant: Does Generative AI write accurate, meaningful, and useful alternative text for course images? Nurse Educator, 51(5), 270–275. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNE.0000000000002183
Koenig, G. (1974). Théorie économique de l'accessibilité urbaine. Revue économique, 25(2), 275–297. https://doi.org/10.2307/3500904
Koenig, J. G. (1980). Indicators of urban accessibility: Theory and application. Transportation, 9(2), 145–172. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00167128
Kravchenko, O., Koliada, N., Berezivska, L., Dikhtyarenko, S., Baida, S., & Danylevych, L. (2022). Digital barrier-free and psychosocial support for students with disabilities in distance learning environments. IJCSNS International Journal of Computer Science and Network Security, 22(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.22937/IJCSNS.2022.22.8.3
Lazar, J., Goldstein, D., & Taylor, A. (2015). Ensuring digital accessibility through process and policy. Morgan Kaufmann. https://books.google.com.br/books?hl=pt-BR&lr=&id=YepDBAAAQBAJ
Mace, R., Hardie, G., & Place, J. (1991). Accessible environments toward Universal Design. Center for Universal Design. https://mn.gov/mnddc/parallels2/pdf/90s/90/90-AEN-CAH.pdf
Mace, R. L., Hardie, J., & Place, J. (1991). Universal design: Barrier-free environments for everyone. North Carolina State University.
Michaelis. (n.d.). Acessibilidade. Michaelis Dicionário Brasileiro da Língua Portuguesa. https://michaelis.uol.com.br/moderno-portugues/busca/portugues-brasileiro/acessibilidade
Michaelis. (n.d.). Digital. Michaelis Dicionário Brasileiro da Língua Portuguesa. https://michaelis.uol.com.br/moderno-portugues/busca/portugues-brasileiro/digital
Michaelis. (n.d.). Tecnologia. Michaelis Dicionário Brasileiro da Língua Portuguesa. https://michaelis.uol.com.br/moderno-portugues/busca/portugues-brasileiro/tecnologia
Moreno, L., Fernández-Pampillón, A. M., Sarasa, A., Rodrigo, C., García-Villalobos, J., González, Y., & García-Mata, R. (2019). How to interweave accessibility with didactic and technological quality of digital educational materials. Journal of Accessibility and Design for All, 9(2), 141–168. http://dx.doi.org/10.17411/jacces.v9i2.193
Morris, J. M., Dumble, P. L., & Wigan, M. R. (1979). Accessibility indicators for transport planning. Transportation Research Part A: General, 13(2), 91–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-2607(79)90012-8
Nacheva, R., & Jansone, A. (2023). Heuristic evaluation of AI-powered web accessibility assistants. Baltic Journal of Modern Computing, 11(4), 542–557. https://doi.org/10.22364/bjmc.2023.11.4.02
Pan American Standards Commission (COPANT). (n.d.). Catálogo de normas técnicas [Catalogue of technical standards]. https://apps.copant.org/cat/CpntNorstdList?cmd=search&t=cpnt_norstd&psearch=accesibilidad&psearchtype=
Pereira, L. S., & Duarte, C. (2025). Evaluating and monitoring digital accessibility: Practitioners’ perspectives on challenges and opportunities. Universal Access in the Information Society, 24(4), 2553–2571. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-025-01210-w
Priberam. (n.d.). Tecnologia. Dicionário Priberam da Língua Portuguesa. https://dicionario.priberam.org/tecnologia
Real-Fernández, A., Fernández-Gil, J. M., Molina-Carmona, R., & Llorens-Largo, F. (2025). Smart learning platforms: Personalisation, adaptability, and accessibility for truly inclusive education. In B. K. Smith & M. Borge (Eds.), Learning and Collaboration Technologies (LNCS 15807, pp. 353–364). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-93567-1
Rehman, A. u., Behera, R. K., Islam, M. S., Abbasi, F. A., & Imtiaz, A. (2024). Assessing the usage of ChatGPT on life satisfaction among higher education students: The moderating role of subjective health. Technology in Society, 78, Article 102655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2024.102655
Santos, A. P. L. d. (2025). Avaliação da acessibilidade digital no repositório institucional RIMA da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro: Uma análise para além da tecnologia [Evaluation of digital accessibility in the RIMA institutional repository of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro: An analysis beyond technology]. Encontros Bibli: Revista de Biblioteconomia e Ciência da Informação, 30, Article e105768. https://doi.org/10.5007/1518-2924.2025.e105768
São Paulo. (1989). Constituição do Estado de São Paulo [Constitution of the State of São Paulo]. Assembleia Legislativa do Estado de São Paulo.
São Paulo. (2008). Lei nº 12.907, de 15 de abril de 2008 [Law No. 12,907 of 15 April 2008]. Assembleia Legislativa do Estado de São Paulo.
São Paulo. (2025). Normas da Assembleia Legislativa do Estado de São Paulo [Legislation of the Legislative Assembly of the State of São Paulo]. https://www.al.sp.gov.br/norma/pesquisa
Sassaki, R. K. (2003). Como chamar as pessoas que têm deficiência. In Vida independente: história, movimento, liderança, conceito, filosofia e fundamentos (pp. 12–16). RNR. Cited in Inclusão: construindo uma sociedade para todos (5th ed.). WVA.
Sassaki, R. K. (2009). Inclusão: acessibilidade no lazer, trabalho e educação. Revista Nacional de Reabilitação (Reação), 12(2), 10–16. https://files.cercomp.ufg.br/weby/up/211/o/SASSAKI_-_Acessibilidade.pdf
Todorov, T. (2024). Usage of artificial intelligence tools to improve digital web accessibility. In Digital Presentation and Preservation of Cultural and Scientific Heritage: Conference Proceedings (Vol. 14, pp. 135–144). Institute of Mathematics and Informatics – BAS.
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (2025). Declaração Universal dos Direitos Humanos [Universal Declaration of Human Rights]. https://www.unicef.org/brazil/declaracao-universal-dos-direitos-humanos
United States. (1984). Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS). U.S. Access Board. https://www.access-board.gov/aba/ufas.html
United States Government Publishing Office. (2011). United States Code, Title 40, Subtitle III: Information technology management. GovInfo. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2011-title40/html/USCODE-2011-title40-subtitleIII.htm
Volkmann, A., Eller, E., & Hennighausen, C. (2025). The impact of digital accessibility on the user experience of people with cognitive impairments. Journal of Accessibility and Design for All, 15(2), 50–73. https://doi.org/10.17411/jacces.v15i2.612
World Wide Web Consortium. (2025). Introdução à acessibilidade na Web (versão em português) [Introduction to Web Accessibility (Portuguese version)]. https://www.w3.org/WAI/fundamentals/accessibility-intro/pt-BR
W3C – World Wide Web Consortium. (2025b). Standards – Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag
World Wide Web Consortium. (2025). Tradução da WCAG 2.2 para português do Brasil [WCAG 2.2 Translation into Brazilian Portuguese]. https://www.w3.org/Translations/WCAG22-pt-BR/#abstract
W3C – World Wide Web Consortium. (2025d). Understanding WCAG 2.2 – Introduction. https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/intro#understanding-the-four-principles-of-accessibility
Webber, M. M., Smith, M. J., Ross, D., Dreyfuss, H. W., & Zeigler, D. J. (1964). The urban place and the nonplace urban realm. In Explorations into urban structure (pp. 79–153). University of Pennsylvania Press. https://doi.org/10.9783/9781512808063-005
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Prado, B.B., Gobbo, J.A., Bezerra, B.S.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share or adapt the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal. Use of the work for commercial purposes are not allowed.
- Authors are able to publish the journal's published version of the work in other media (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), as far as they inform the Journal of Accessibility and Design for All of that fact. When publishing their work in other sources, authors must mention the name of the Journal of Accessibility and Design for All, its ISSN, the number and issue in which the article was published and a link to the main page of the Journal of Accessibility and Design for All. Optionally, they can also include a link to the article published in the Journal of Accessibility and Design for All.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website), as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
