Accessibility in e-government portals: a systematic mapping study

Abstract

In recent years, several researchers have investigated the challenges of accessibility in e-government portals and have contributed to many proposals for improvements. However, no comprehensive review has been conducted on this topic. This study aimed to survey and synthesize the published work on the accessibility of e-government portals for people with disabilities. We carried out a review using a systematic mapping study (SMS) to compile previous findings and provide comprehensive state-of-the-art. The SMS collected studies published between January 2000 and March 2025 were identified using an automated search in five known databases. In total, 112 primary studies were selected. The results showed a notable increase in interest and research activities related to accessibility in e-government portals. Journals are the most widely used publication channel; studies have mainly focused on evaluation research and show a commitment to inclusivity. “AChecker” and “Wave validator” are the most used accessibility evaluation tools. The findings also identified various accessibility guidelines, with the most frequently referenced being the web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG). Based on this study, several key implications emerge for researchers, and addressing them would be beneficial for researchers to advance e-government website accessibility in a meaningful way.