As the internet continues to shape how we live, work, and shop, ensuring that websites are accessible to everyone has become a growing priority. Digital accessibility is about making sure that everyone, regardless of ability, can use and navigate a website with ease. But it’s not just a matter of good practice – it’s increasingly becoming a legal requirement in many parts of the world.

For businesses and organisations, understanding the legal landscape surrounding accessibility can feel complex, but it doesn’t have to be. In this post, we’ll break down the key requirements and what they mean for your website, with real-world examples to make things clearer.

Illustration of a man in a suit holding a large legal document, with a gavel and scales of justice in the background, representing legal concepts.

Why Accessibility Laws Matter

Imagine walking into a shop that has no ramps, narrow doorways, and items placed too high for anyone in a wheelchair, or even just anyone relatively short, to reach. It wouldn’t be a welcoming experience for many shoppers. Unfortunately, the digital world can often present similar barriers when websites aren’t designed with accessibility in mind. For someone with a visual, auditory, or motor impairment, a website might be difficult – or even impossible – to navigate.

This is why many countries, including the UK, have introduced laws to ensure that digital services are accessible to everyone. These laws aim to remove the barriers that prevent people with disabilities from fully participating in online activities, from browsing products to using essential services.

Understanding UK Accessibility Laws

In the UK, digital accessibility is guided by a number of laws and standards designed to ensure that websites are usable by everyone. The key legislation to be aware of includes:

The Equality Act 2010

Three diverse individuals discussing accessibility and inclusion, with one in a wheelchair and a large checkmark above them.

The Equality Act is the primary piece of legislation in the UK that protects people from discrimination. Under this law, businesses and organisations must make "reasonable adjustments" to ensure their services are accessible to people with disabilities. This includes websites and online services. If a website isn’t accessible, it may be considered discriminatory, putting businesses at risk of legal action.

The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018

These regulations apply specifically to public sector bodies, such as government websites, schools, and hospitals. They require websites and mobile apps to meet accessibility standards, ensuring that people with disabilities can access essential public services online. Even if your organisation is not part of the public sector, these regulations highlight the growing expectation for accessibility across the digital landscape.

What Does "Accessible" Mean in Practice?

When we talk about making a website accessible, we mean ensuring it works for a wide range of people, including those with visual, hearing, mobility, and cognitive impairments. So what does this look like in practice? Here are a few examples:

Clear Text and Readable Fonts

For people with visual impairments or dyslexia, small, fancy fonts or low-contrast colours can make text difficult to read. A website with accessible design will use large, simple fonts and ensure there's a good contrast between the text and background. For example, black text on a white background is much easier to read than light grey text on a pale background.

Keyboard Navigation

Not everyone can use a mouse. Some individuals, especially those with motor impairments, rely on a keyboard or voice commands to navigate websites. This means that all interactive elements, such as buttons, links, and forms, must be accessible using just a keyboard. A user should be able to "tab" through a page to reach all important content.

Screen Reader Compatibility

People with visual impairments may use screen readers, which are devices or software that read the text on a screen aloud. If a website’s structure is not designed correctly, a screen reader might not be able to interpret the content properly. For example, headings should be marked as headings (using HTML tags) so that screen readers can inform the user about the structure of the page. Similarly, all images should have "alt text" – short descriptions that allow screen readers to convey the content of an image to someone who can’t see it.

Video and Audio Accessibility

Person in a wheelchair using a computer, with icons representing visual, hearing, and mobility accessibility for online content.

Videos and audio content are a key part of many websites today, but without captions or transcripts, they can exclude those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Adding subtitles to videos or providing a text transcript of audio content ensures that everyone can engage with the content, regardless of their hearing ability.

Meeting the Standards: WCAG

One of the most widely used guidelines for accessibility is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These are internationally recognised standards that explain how to make web content more accessible. WCAG is divided into three levels:

A (minimum accessibility)
AA (what most laws, including those in the UK, require)
AAA (the highest level of accessibility)

Aiming for at least AA compliance ensures that your website meets the basic needs of most users with disabilities. This includes having readable text, accessible navigation, and compatibility with assistive technologies like screen readers.

The Consequences of Inaccessible Websites

Ignoring accessibility laws can have serious consequences for businesses and organisations. Legal action is becoming more common against websites that aren’t accessible. For example, in 2020, thousands of lawsuits were filed in the United States under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) due to inaccessible websites, and similar cases are beginning to arise in the UK.

Beyond the legal risks, there’s also a reputational cost. An inaccessible website can frustrate users, leading them to take their business elsewhere. It also sends a message that the needs of people with disabilities aren’t being considered, which can harm your brand’s image.

Practical Steps to Improve Your Website’s Accessibility

Improving your website’s accessibility doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are some practical steps to get started:

Run an Accessibility Audit or Seek Professional Guidance

Female presenter explaining data insights to a group, illustrating the importance of consulting digital accessibility experts for site audits and compliance guidance.

There are online tools that can check your website for accessibility issues. These tools highlight areas that need improvement, from missing alt text on images to issues with keyboard navigation.

If you’re unsure about how to make your website compliant, consider consulting with digital accessibility experts - especially those with accessibility needs themselves that conduct your site audit for you. They can help identify issues and provide solutions tailored to your business.

Update Your Website Regularly

Digital accessibility should be an ongoing priority. As you add new content or features to your website, always consider accessibility. Even small changes, like updating your colour scheme or adding a new form, can affect how accessible your site is.

Creating a Web for All

Ensuring your website meets accessibility laws is about more than ticking a legal box – it’s about creating an inclusive online space where everyone can participate. By understanding the requirements and taking steps to improve accessibility, you can make your website welcoming and usable for all users, regardless of their abilities.

Understanding Accessibility Requirements for Your Website