Relationship between University Quality in Spain and Web Accessibility

Web accessibility in higher education is essential to ensure equitable educational opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Various studies conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic have identified numerous challenges related to web accessibility for this group. Legal regulations mandate that public institutions, including universities, comply with specific web accessibility standards. This study evaluates the level of web accessibility in Spanish universities and their compliance with current regulations. To achieve this, the websites of a representative sample of universities were analyzed using automated tools and manual reviews to measure their conformity with accessibility guidelines. The results reveal the extent to which these institutions have implemented web accessibility practices and highlight areas requiring improvement. Additionally, the relationship between the achieved accessibility levels and various quality variables of the analyzed universities is explored, such as the size of the institution, the availability of technological resources, and institutional commitment to inclusion. The findings of this study provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of web accessibility in higher education in Spain, offering practical recommendations to improve the educational experience of students with disabilities and promoting greater equality in access to education.