Digital accessibility means that websites, apps, and digital documents are usable by everyone, regardless of disabilities. It’s an essential foundation for digital participation and equal opportunity.

What is digital accessibility?

Digital accessibility refers to designing digital products in such a way that people with physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments can use them independently. This includes making websites compatible with screen readers, ensuring content has sufficient contrast, and adding subtitles to videos. Accessibility is not a passing web design trend, but rather a prerequisite for future-proof digital offerings. It benefits not only people with disabilities but also older users and people with temporary limitations. Accessible design also improves usability for users with slow internet connections or mobile devices.

Accessibility involves technical, content-related, and visual design aspects. Key features include keyboard operability and avoiding flashing elements in web design. When designing a website or piece of software, accessibility must be built in from the very beginning and considered throughout the entire project lifecycle. It’s a hallmark of quality and is increasingly required by law.

Legal framework in the UK

While the European Union has introduced comprehensive digital accessibility regulations such as the European Accessibility Act (EAA), the UK follows its own legislation:

Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 consolidates previous anti-discrimination laws, including the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, and is the primary legislation for protecting people with disabilities in the UK. It requires organisations to make reasonable adjustments to ensure people with disabilities can access services, which includes making websites and digital services accessible.

Though the Act doesn’t explicitly mention digital services, UK courts have ruled that online platforms must be accessible under the duty of reasonable adjustments. Failure to comply can result in discrimination claims. Public and private sector organisations alike are encouraged to comply with these requirements to avoid legal action.

Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018

These regulations, which came into force in 2018, apply to public sector organisations in the UK, requiring them to ensure that their websites and mobile applications are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Public sector organisations must meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards and publish an accessibility statement that outlines how they comply.

The regulations apply to a wide range of public bodies, including government departments, local authorities and public healthcare services. They also mandate that accessibility must be considered when procuring third-party services.

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)

The WCAG Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are international guidelines for the accessibility of web content. In the UK, WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the minimum required standard for public sector websites and mobile apps. Though WCAG is not a law, it is a key part of UK regulations, particularly for public sector compliance.

In the private sector, many organisations also follow WCAG 2.1 guidelines as a best practice. Complying with WCAG is seen as a way to ensure that digital content is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. By adhering to these standards, private sector companies can enhance user experience, build a more inclusive customer base, and mitigate legal risks under the Equality Act 2010.

Overview of key regulations

Regulation Applicability Scope Minimum Standard
Equality Act 2010 Since 2010 Public and private sectors (UK) Reasonable adjustments
Public Sector Accessibility Regulations Since 2018 Public sector websites and mobile apps WCAG 2.1 AA
WCAG International Global WCAG 2.2 AA (2023)

How to understand the WCAG guidelines

The WCAG guidelines are based on four key principles known by the acronym POUR:

  • Perceivable: Users should be able to access and experience the content through at least one of their senses.
  • Operable: Users should be able to navigate and interact with all features using a keyboard.
  • Understandable: The content and navigation should be clear and easy to follow.
  • Robust: The content should be compatible with a wide range of technology.

These principles are essential because they outline the four core requirements that digital content must meet to be accessible to everyone. From a technical standpoint, this includes things like proper HTML structure, keyboard navigation, adequate colour contrast, alt text, user-friendly forms, and compatibility with assistive technologies.

Note

Want to dive deeper into WCAG? Check out our in-depth article on WCAG accessibility guidelines.

What types of digital content need to be accessible?

Digital accessibility applies to a wide range of online content, not just in the public sector but increasingly in the private sector as well.

Key areas include:

  • Websites, including navigation, structure, alternative texts and keyboard support
  • Mobile apps
  • PDF and Office documents, such as forms and brochures that must be properly tagged and readable
  • E-learning platforms
  • E-commerce websites like online stores and booking systems, which must comply with the ADA and WCAG
  • Digital communication tools
  • Self-service terminals, such as ticket machines and check-in kiosks
  • Multimedia content, including videos and podcasts with captions, transcripts and audio descriptions
  • Online forms and applications also require a clear structure, help texts and keyboard usability

What are the benefits of digital accessibility?

Digital accessibility isn’t just about compliance. It offers real advantages for businesses and users alike.

Greater reach: Accessible products and services reach people with disabilities, older users, and those with temporary limitations (e.g., from injuries or stressful environments), expanding your potential audience.

Improved usability: Accessible websites and apps are better structured, easier to navigate, and more intuitive for all users.

Search engine optimisation (SEO): Many accessibility features - such as clean header structures, alt texts, and semantic HTML - also improve search engine rankings.

Brand reputation and social responsibility: Accessible content shows your commitment to inclusion and corporate social responsibility.

Future-proofing and legal compliance: Implementing accessibility now prepares you for future regulations and reduces the risk of legal action or penalties.

How to implement accessibility step by step

Successfully implementing digital accessibility requires a structured and holistic approach. The following steps will help you meet legal requirements while creating a more inclusive user experience.

Step 1: Awareness and goal setting

Familiarise yourself with the basics of digital accessibility. Determine which regulations (e.g., the EU’s EAA, Equality Act 2010, Public Sector Accessibility Regulations) apply to your organisation and set clear goals. These could be to build an accessible online store or ensure your entire website is usable by everyone.

Step 2: Planning and concept

Design new projects with accessibility in mind from the start. Use accessible web design principles, namely clear navigation, plain language and responsive design. Choose an accessible CMS, such as Plone, Contao, papaya CMS, or a well-configured WordPress setup.

Step 3: Technical implementation

Base your implementation on WCAG 2.1 (at least level AA). Use clean, semantic HTML, correct ARIA roles, accessible form fields (e.g., with the <label> tag, and ensure complete keyboard navigation. Make all components accessible.

Step 4: Testing and evaluation

Conduct both automated and manual accessibility testing. Use screen readers, simulate colour blindness, and ideally include users with disabilities in your testing. Also test tools like OCR software and QR code readers.

Step 5: Ongoing maintenance and monitoring

Accessibility doesn’t end when you go live. Keep your content updated, test regularly, and stay on top of legal requirements. Your site will only stay accessible with ongoing maintenance.

How to avoid typical accessibility pitfalls

Many websites and digital applications still fall short of basic digital accessibility standards. Typical issues include missing alt text for images, forms that can’t be navigated using a keyboard, or low colour contrast that makes content hard to read. PDF documents are often poorly structured and unreadable by screen readers. Videos frequently lack captions or audio descriptions, and vague link labels like ‘click here’ or confusing navigation only make things more difficult for users.

For this reason, accessibility should be part of the development process from the very beginning. Making changes later on can also be more costly and time-consuming. It’s equally important to check any third-party content or embedded tools to make sure they meet accessibility standards.

Conclusion

Digital accessibility is a key component of inclusion and essential for equal participation in digital life. It is a legal obligation and significantly improves the user experience for everyone. In the long term, both businesses and government agencies benefit from increased reach, a stronger reputation, and reduced legal risks.

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