This content originally appeared on TPGi and was authored by Melissa Morse
South Korea is undergoing a rapid transformation in digital accessibility, driven by evolving legislation and proactive government investment. New mandates are reshaping how public and private sectors serve people with disabilities, older adults, and other people classified as “digitally vulnerable.”
At the heart of these changes is the Act on Prohibition of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities and Remedy for Infringement of Their Rights (the Act), now coupled with accessibility provisions in the Basic Act on Intelligent Informatization and the Korea Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (KWCAG).
Together, these guidelines create a comprehensive framework to ensure that digital platforms are inclusive and compliant, whether in a government office or a neighborhood convenience store.
What Does South Korea’s Act Require?
South Korea’s Act specifically addresses barriers in digital spaces. It requires organizations to provide reasonable accommodation to ensure that people with disabilities can access electronic and non-electronic information on an equal basis with others.
Unlike some older accessibility laws that focus mainly on physical environments, this law actively prioritizes digital accessibility, including websites, mobile apps, telecommunications, and digital devices.
What’s at Stake? Compliance Risk and User Trust
Failing to comply with this law carries significant risks. The Act allows the Ministry of Justice to impose administrative fines of up to 30 million won for non-compliance with corrective orders. In cases of malicious or willful discrimination, criminal penalties may apply.
Beyond regulatory penalties, inaccessible digital experiences can erode public trust. Excluding people with disabilities can damage a company’s reputation, customer relationships, and competitive edge.
Digital Accessibility Requirements: A Broader Scope
South Korea’s Act establishes broad protections that extend into the digital space. For accessibility professionals, the Act identifies key areas that require focused attention:
Websites and Digital Information
Article 20 and Article 21 clearly state that people with disabilities must have equal access to both electronic and non-electronic information. This includes websites, digital documents, and communication channels. Organizations are required to provide necessary means, such as sign language, captions, Braille, and voice-to-text services, to ensure that information is accessible.
Telecommunications and Broadcasting
According to Article 21, telecommunications providers and broadcasters must offer accessible services. This includes the provision of closed captions, Korean sign language interpretation, and descriptive video services, making telecommunications and multimedia content accessible to people with disabilities.
Public Events and Services
Public institutions are required to support the participation and communication of people with disabilities in events they host. This includes providing sign language interpreters, text and voice support, and hearing assistance (Article 21).
Information Access in Publications and Media
Entities involved in publishing, media production, and library services are encouraged to make their materials accessible, such as by producing braille, large print, and audio versions (Article 21).
The law emphasizes proactive accessibility, requiring organizations to design inclusivity into their digital platforms and services from the outset.
What Counts as a Reasonable Accommodation?
The Act defines reasonable accommodation as human and material adjustments that enable people with disabilities to participate on an equal basis (Article 4, Article 21). Reasonable accommodations include:
- Providing accessible formats like Braille, large print, captions, and audio descriptions
- Ensuring assistive communication tools such as Korean sign language interpretation and screen readers
- Offering alternative methods of participation at events or within services
Failing to provide reasonable accommodation without justifiable grounds is considered discriminatory under the Act.
KWCAG and Beyond: Accessibility Standards for Web and Mobile
While South Korea’s Act does not explicitly mandate conformance to the Korean Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (KWCAG), it serves as a widely recognized best-practice framework in South Korea.
KWCAG is closely aligned with the global WCAG standards and has been adapted to reflect local language, technologies, and cultural expectations.
Initially focused on web accessibility, KWCAG has expanded to cover mobile applications and other digital platforms, supporting broader efforts to create accessible digital experiences.
Current KWCAG Adoption and Expectations
Public institutions are required to conform to KWCAG across their digital services. While private businesses are not explicitly required by the Act to follow KWCAG, many adopt these guidelines as a proactive measure to meet the law’s requirements for equal information access and reasonable accommodation.
As web and mobile accessibility continue to grow in importance, businesses in South Korea are increasingly expected to align with KWCAG, especially as public awareness and regulatory attention around digital accessibility expand. But meeting these expectations isn’t something businesses have to tackle alone.
Backed by Billions: Government Investment in Barrier-Free Kiosks
In May 2025, South Korea announced a 9.2 billion won (~USD 6.66 million) project aimed at accelerating kiosk accessibility. The initiative includes:
- Technical consulting for 50+ small kiosk developers
- Subsidies for barrier-free hardware and software retrofits
- Priority distribution to unmanned stores and financial kiosks
- Support via the Smart Store project to equip small businesses
This investment directly supports the implementation of accessibility initiatives and regulatory priorities while easing the burden on small business owners as they adapt to digital accessibility requirements.
Technology like JAWS for Kiosk aligns perfectly with South Korea’s national push for barrier-free self-service systems. JAWS for Kiosk equips touchscreen kiosks with screen reader functionality, enabling people who are blind or have low vision to navigate independently with no personal assistance required.
This solution is already in use across various industries, including banking, retail, transportation, and government, at self-serve kiosks worldwide. For small businesses and kiosk developers in South Korea, it offers a scalable, standards-aligned way to meet accessibility goals without a complete hardware overhaul.
As the country invests in more inclusive digital infrastructure, solutions like JAWS for Kiosk provide a proven, ready-to-deploy path to meaningful access for all.
The Takeaway: Legal Compliance Is Driving Digital Accessibility Forward
South Korea is demonstrating that digital transformation must include everyone. Whether you’re building websites, managing mobile apps, or deploying kiosks, accessibility is now a legal obligation and a business imperative.
From legislation to funding, the country is setting a precedent for how policy, technology, and inclusion can intersect.
Are your digital platforms ready to meet South Korea’s accessibility mandates? Schedule a consultation with TPGi’s accessibility experts to ensure your kiosks, websites, and mobile apps are compliant, accessible, and future-ready.
The post How South Korea’s Disability Discrimination Act Is Reshaping Kiosk, Web, and Mobile Accessibility appeared first on TPGi.
This content originally appeared on TPGi and was authored by Melissa Morse