Digital accessibility research from 1997 to 2024: A triangulated review and conceptual framework

Abstract

Digital accessibility is a dynamic process that evolves alongside technological advances; thus, it is essential to examine how it adapts over time. Through a review of scholarly articles published from 1997 to 2024 in Scopus and the Web of Science, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the digital accessibility research over this period. Employing a triangulation approach, we integrated bibliometric and quantitative content analyses of 410 papers with a thematic analysis of a subset of 66 papers, combining quantitative and qualitative methods for both broad and in-depth analysis. The results show a steady growth in scholarly output, with research led primarily by the United States, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Empirically, literature is dominated by evaluation-oriented studies, focused largely on public-sector contexts, web-based platforms, and individuals with disabilities. Based on the results, we present an overview map of the digital accessibility research landscape, highlighting metadata trends, thematic divisions, and recurring themes. We also propose a synthesized definition and conceptual framework of digital accessibility, clarifying its relationship to related concepts. This study is intended to serve as a foundation and guide for future research on digital accessibility.