The requirement to make websites and applications accessible has become a regulatory obligation across nearly every sector. However, lawmakers recognize that not every website is built—economically or technically—to meet required accommodations. In such cases, different pathways exist to obtain full or partial accessibility exemptions, provided the conditions set by law are met. Despite an exemption, it's important to remember that a business must still publish an accessibility statement detailing the exemption and available alternatives.
Exemption Based on Annual Revenue
One of the main accessibility exemptions for websites is based on an economic assessment of the business, which examines average annual revenue over the past three years. Businesses with average annual revenue below 100,000 shekels qualify for a full exemption from website accessibility requirements, without needing to apply to the authority. Those with revenue up to 300,000 shekels per year before October 2020 were also exempt, but after that date they fell into other categories.
Website owners with revenue between 300,000 shekels and 1 million per year must make only new changes to the website accessible if made after October 2017, while older sites created before that date are exempt. Above 1 million shekels, full website accessibility is required except for audio and video content. When business revenue exceeds 5 million shekels, these media elements must also be fully accessible.
Exemption Due to Substantial Economic Burden
Some businesses don't meet automatic exemption criteria, but the cost of accessibility creates genuine hardship. In these cases, a formal request can be submitted to the Equal Rights Authority for Persons with Disabilities. The request is reviewed based on accessibility costs, revenue, and the business's particular circumstances. If approved, the exemption is granted for up to three years.
Even when an exemption is granted for substantial economic burden, it doesn't eliminate all responsibility. After three years, the business must reassess its situation and reapply to the Authority if it wishes to extend the exemption. If the business changes, renewal may not be granted, making it important to monitor your economic status continuously.
Exemption Due to Technical Limitations
Some websites or systems have technical constraints where accessibility solutions simply cannot be implemented. In such cases, partial or full exemption is possible, but only after a professional review by an accessibility expert with deep knowledge of web systems and applications. Reasons might include unsupported systems, use of inaccessible code tags like CANVAS, or the absence of any viable alternative.
When an exemption is justified, the accessibility expert submits a dedicated form to the Authority. The exemption applies only to those specific areas that cannot be made accessible. In parallel, an accessible alternative must be provided to allow people with disabilities to receive full service—for example, through customer support. This exemption is also valid for three years and requires renewal thereafter.
Closed Websites With Limited Users
Some websites are not intended for the general public but for a small group of users. If a website requires prior registration and the number of registered users doesn't exceed 500 at any given time, it may be exempt from making content in the restricted area accessible. Common examples are online course systems where only students in the current cohort can access the site.
This does not eliminate the obligation to make public parts of the website accessible. Marketing pages, information pages, and corporate pages must be fully accessible; only the restricted area for registered users can receive an exemption. It's important to ensure the division between public and restricted areas is clear and that user limits are genuinely maintained.
Exemptions for Social Media
Regulations require accessibility for content posted on social media, but a significant exception applies: if the platform itself doesn't allow accessibility adjustments, the business owner is exempt from making the content accessible. This means when there's no technical control over post structure or the ability to add alt text, the exemption applies naturally.
However, it's recommended to add accessible alternatives whenever possible, even when not required. For example, attach a text description in an adjacent post or provide information through other channels. This helps prevent situations where people with disabilities miss vital or meaningful content your business shares.
Key Points to Remember
It's crucial to emphasize that even with a full or partial exemption, you must publish an accessibility statement on your website detailing the exemption, the reasons for granting it, and the accessible alternatives your business offers. The statement should be clear, detailed, and accessible to all visitors. Additionally, conduct a reassessment every three years, as your business's economic or technical status may change.
Another point: third-party content not produced by the website owner is not required to be accessible. However, it's still recommended to provide alternatives where possible, especially for core content or content that delivers public services.