The increasing reliance on digital platforms for public services necessitates accessible websites to ensure democratic inclusion and well-being for all citizens, regardless of their abilities. This research investigates the web accessibility of Spanish city councils, focusing on whether these institutions incorporate international guidelines to create inclusive digital environments. The study acknowledges the potential of ICTs to enhance democracy and transparency but points to the exclusionary effect of inaccessible websites on vulnerable groups, particularly people with functional diversity and the elderly. Existing literature highlights the role of public policy in shaping citizens' experiences, emphasizing the risk of a 'digital by default' approach that overlooks the needs of those lacking digital access or skills. A gap in the literature concerning the link between digital democratization and web accessibility validation is identified. The study questions whether local councils in Spain consider international web accessibility guidelines in their efforts to create participatory and inclusive digital environments for their citizens. The study is grounded in the understanding that effective digital democracy requires websites that meet minimum standards for equal access to information and opportunities. The increasing digitalization of public services and the growing numbers of people with disabilities necessitate a focus on web accessibility to guarantee equitable access and citizen participation.

Existing research demonstrates the potential of ICTs to improve democratic processes and governance. However, studies on the spatial dimensions of digital democracy implementation, particularly at the local level, are limited. The literature highlights the importance of considering factors such as the development of political systems and familiarity with digital media when assessing digital participation. Studies also point to the negative impact of social isolation on vulnerable populations, emphasizing the need for accessible technological tools. While the OECD and other organizations advocate for digital inclusion, there's a dearth of research connecting digital democratization with standardized web accessibility validation. Previous studies on web accessibility have examined universities and other sectors but have lacked a longitudinal approach or comprehensive methodology focused on WCAG guidelines and criteria. This study addresses this gap by examining the accessibility of local council websites using standardized international criteria and assessing changes over time.

This quantitative study employed a stratified random sample of 18 Spanish provincial capital city council websites. Five pages were analyzed per website: the homepage, a standard page, a page with tables, a page with a form, and a search result page. The study compared web accessibility in 2015 and 2021 using the WAVE tool, which identifies errors, alerts, and features related to WCAG 2.0 compliance. The sample was categorized into four groups based on city size and budget to explore the relationship between these factors and web accessibility. The WAVE tool generates three types of accessibility indicators: 1. **Errors:** Indicate non-compliance with WCAG 2.0 and require immediate correction. 2. **Alerts:** Potentially non-compliant elements that need further manual review. 3. **Features:** Accessibility features that meet WCAG standards but require manual verification. Additionally, the tool reports on contrast errors and structural elements (HTML5 and ARIA attributes). A manual review of accessibility statements on each website was also conducted to identify claimed WCAG compliance levels.

Analysis of 88 pages in 2015 and 87 pages in 2021 revealed a slight overall decrease in errors (approximately 17%), from 473 to 390. However, approximately 39% of the analyzed portals showed an increase in errors from 2015 to 2021. Common errors included missing alternative text for images and empty or textless buttons and links. The total number of alerts increased by over 32% from 2015 to 2021, with around 72% of the portals showing an increase in alerts. Contrast errors also rose by about 45%. Despite the reduction in errors, the number of alerts increased substantially, demonstrating that while some errors were addressed, significant areas for improvement remain. The increase in the number of alerts suggests that the websites have become more complex with the introduction of new features and technologies, but the enhancements were not done with web accessibility in mind. While there's been a shift in reported compliance levels (from primarily WCAG 1.0 in 2015 to WCAG 2.0 in 2021), the actual accessibility improvement is significantly less than the claimed increase. In 2015, 67% of the portals claimed to comply with WCAG 1.0 double A, while in 2021, this figure dropped to 21%, with more sites claiming WCAG 2.0 compliance. However, the actual number of errors and alerts did not reflect this improved self-reported compliance. The study did not find a direct correlation between city size or budget and web accessibility. Group 1, comprising large cities, showed an increase in errors and alerts, while other groups showed no clear pattern of improvement or decline in accessibility. The analysis of the different page types (homepage, standard pages, pages with tables, forms and search results) across the four groups revealed variable results; Some groups improved in certain page types but others did not. The type of page with the most errors and alerts varies across different groupings as well.

The findings indicate a significant gap between the claimed accessibility compliance levels of Spanish city councils and their actual accessibility. While some improvements were observed in the number of errors, the increase in alerts suggests that despite websites undergoing changes, such as responsive design adaptations for mobile devices, these changes were not always implemented with accessibility in mind. The lack of correlation between city size/budget and accessibility suggests that budgetary factors are not the primary driver of accessibility improvements. A need for a more holistic approach is highlighted, encompassing both automated tool analysis and manual user testing with people with disabilities. The methodology employed allows for objective comparison across municipalities and over time but needs to be complimented by qualitative feedback from users with varying levels of abilities. The study contributes to existing literature by providing a longitudinal perspective on web accessibility in local government websites and focusing on the links between accessibility, social inclusion, and effective e-democracy. The study demonstrates the need to move beyond simple declarations of compliance and to incorporate user-centric design approaches to ensure true digital inclusion.

Spanish city councils' websites show limited progress in web accessibility despite the increased digitalization of public services. The slight decrease in errors is overshadowed by a significant increase in alerts, revealing that simply updating websites doesn't guarantee accessibility improvements. Future research should include user testing and analysis of mobile applications to get a holistic approach. Triangulation of data, combining automated tool analysis, manual assessment, and citizen feedback, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of web accessibility and its impact on citizen participation. A more concerted effort in accessibility training and resourcing for local councils is needed to align with the new guidelines from the W3C, including those for WCAG 3.0.

The study relies primarily on automated tool analysis, which may not capture all accessibility issues. Manual user testing with individuals with various disabilities is crucial to supplement the automated analysis. The rapid evolution of web technologies and accessibility standards presents a challenge to longitudinal studies, and future research should account for the transition to WCAG 3.0. The sample size, while substantial for this type of study, may not be fully representative of all Spanish local councils.