Guide · Social Code and Digital Code

Website accessibility for people with disabilities in Kazakhstan

We found no direct duty in Kazakhstan law for a private company to make its website accessible. Accessibility is mandatory for government bodies, the quasi-public sector and those involved in providing public services. For everyone else it is voluntary, and WCAG 2.2 gives a clear list of what to check.

Checked on adilet.zan.kz on 15.11.2026

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Updated 15 November 2026

What the law says

Codes, rules and standards as worded on the date we checked.

A right to access
People with disabilities have the right to be given access to digital objects and information (Social Code, art. 154 para. 1 subpara. 6). The article lists rights; it sets no direct duty for a private website.[1]
Where requirements are set
Digital objects for which the law sets accessibility requirements are developed with people with disabilities, people with impaired sight, hearing or speech and people with limited mobility in mind (Digital Code, art. 10 para. 2).[2]
Who is obliged
Government bodies, state legal entities, the quasi-public sector and others involved in providing public services ensure that digital systems, resources and services are accessible, including for people with disabilities (art. 42 para. 1).[2]
Public services online
For digital objects used to provide public services, the accessibility requirements come from the unified requirements for digitalisation and cybersecurity, which are updated in line with international approaches (art. 42 para. 2).[2]
ST RK 2191-2023
Under the unified requirements, internet resources are built with national standards in mind, including ST RK 2191-2023 "Web content accessibility for people with disabilities" (para. 60). These requirements are mandatory for government bodies, the quasi-public sector, owners of systems integrated with state systems and critical facilities (para. 4).[3]
Standards are voluntary
National standards are mandatory only where the law says so; otherwise standardisation documents are applied voluntarily (Law on Standardization, art. 26 para. 1 and 2).[4]
WCAG 2.2
The W3C’s international guidelines on web content accessibility: four principles (perceivable, operable, understandable, robust) and three conformance levels: A, AA and AAA.[5]

Which to choose

Two situations

What is mandatory depends on who owns the website.

A private company

We found no direct duty to make the website accessible
WCAG 2.2 level AA is a sensible target, if you choose
Accessibility goes into the scope and the contract when you need it

Public sector and public services

Accessible digital systems and services are mandatory (Digital Code, art. 42)
Internet resources are built with ST RK 2191-2023 in mind (unified requirements, para. 60)
Requirements for the resource are set in the procurement specification (para. 58)

Checklist

What to check on the website

Core WCAG 2.2 criteria, with the criterion number in brackets. In scope when accessibility is part of the brief.

KeyboardEverything works without a mouse, and the focus is visible on screen (2.1.1, 2.4.7).
Text for imagesImages and icon buttons have a text alternative (1.1.1).
ContrastNormal text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 (1.4.3).
ZoomText stays readable at 200% zoom (1.4.4).
FormsFields have labels, and errors are named in text, not only by colour (3.3.1, 3.3.2).
VideoRecorded video has captions (1.2.2).
Page languageThe language is set in the page code, with its own value on the Russian and Kazakh versions (3.1.1).
Button sizeTap targets are at least 24 by 24 CSS pixels or have enough spacing (2.5.8).

Breakdown

Why a private company should care

Even when the law does not require it.

More customersYour site is used by people with impaired sight, older customers and anyone opening it on a phone outdoors.

Public sector workIf you provide public services or integrate with state systems, the requirements become mandatory.

A clear structureHeadings, labels and image texts also help search engines understand the page.

Cheaper up frontBuilding accessibility into the design costs less than reworking a finished site.

Important

This is not legal advice

We summarised the rules as worded on the date we checked. We have not read the text of ST RK 2191-2023 and make no claim about what it says. If you are a public buyer or take part in providing public services, check the requirements against the technical specification and with a lawyer.

Checked on 15 November 2026

This is not legal advice. Laws change: before launch, check the current version on adilet.zan.kz and talk to a lawyer or accountant.

Questions

Short and to the point.

Must a private company have an accessible website?

We found no direct rule. The Digital Code obliges government bodies, the quasi-public sector and those involved in providing public services (art. 42), and the unified ICT requirements bind the same bodies plus owners of systems integrated with state systems (para. 4).

What is ST RK 2191-2023?

The national standard "Web content accessibility for people with disabilities". The unified ICT requirements refer to it for internet resources (para. 60). Standards are applied voluntarily unless the law makes them mandatory (Law on Standardization, art. 26 para. 2).

Which WCAG level should we aim for?

Most projects aim for WCAG 2.2 level AA: it covers contrast, text resizing, visible focus and button size. Level A is the minimum; AAA is applied selectively.

Can you fix an existing site?

Yes: an audit first, then a fixed price for the fixes, ordered by impact. We name the price after the audit.

What does an accessible website cost?

Accessibility is part of the scope when it is in the brief. We name the price after the brief and fix it in the contract.

Shall we check your site’s accessibility?

Send the address, and we will tell you what to fix first.

Your selectionAccessible websitePrice after a brief

The team gets your request; we reply during business hours.Price fixed in the contract before you pay.No calls unless you ask.

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Glossary

Terms on this topic

UX designDeciding how a product works for its users, so they reach their goal without confusion.UI designDesigning what users see and touch on screen: layout, colours, type, buttons and their states.WCAGThe W3C guidelines for making websites and apps usable by disabled people, in levels A, AA and AAA.Full glossary →