Master
English

Accessibility of Multilingual University Webpages in Europe and South America: A Focus on Easy Language and the WCAG Understandable Principle

Master program titleMaîtrise universitaire en technologies de la traduction et de la communication
Defense date2026
Abstract

This study examines the accessibility of multilingual university websites in Europe and South America, focusing on Easy Language recommendations and the Understandable principle of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0). Thirty-eight universities from eight countries were analyzed: Spain, the United Kingdom, France, and Switzerland in Europe, and Peru, Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile in South America. A Web Accessibility Evaluation Grid (WAEG) with 50 criteria was developed, equally divided between language use and content presentation. Each criterion was assessed on university homepages using four levels: compliant, partially compliant, non-compliant, and not applicable. Accessibility percentages were calculated using a defined formula. The study combined expert evaluation with automated evaluation using ChatGPT to compare both approaches. Results show moderate accessibility levels in both regions, with similar outcomes across languages and continents. Automated evaluation tended to overestimate compliance, highlighting the need for clearer criteria, combined methods, and greater user involvement.

Keywords
  • Web Accessibility
  • Multilingual Websites
  • WCAG 2.0
  • Understandable Principle
  • Easy Language
  • University Websites
  • Expert Evaluation
  • Automated Evaluation
  • Cognitive and Learning Disabilities
Citation (ISO format)
GARCIA YUCAILLA, Heidi Dayana. Accessibility of Multilingual University Webpages in Europe and South America: A Focus on Easy Language and the WCAG Understandable Principle. Master, 2026.
Main files (1)
Master thesis
accessLevelRestricted
Identifiers
  • PID : unige:191960
13views
0downloads

Technical informations

Creation03/03/2026 10:40:20
First validation04/03/2026 08:18:28
Update05/03/2026 12:58:06
Status update05/03/2026 12:58:06
Last indexation05/03/2026 12:58:08
All rights reserved by Archive ouverte UNIGE and the University of GenevaunigeBlack