Web accessibility refers to the practice of designing and developing websites, applications, and digital content in a way that makes them accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities; ultimately by removing barriers that might prevent users from interacting with digital content effectively.
With the EEA website accessibility changes coming into effect in June 2025, this blog recaps on the importance of web accessibility, what the changes are and how they could impact you.
What is web accessibility?
As outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), web accessibility relates to more than just font size or colour contrast, with the framework stating that web content must be:
- Perceivable: information must be presented in a way that users can perceive, whether through sight, sound, or touch
- Operable: users must be able to interact with the content using different devices and input methods
- Understandable: content must be clear and easy to understand
- Robust: content should work across various devices, browsers, and assistive technologies.
Why is it important?
The importance of web accessibility is paramount for both the individuals affected and the wider community for the following reasons:
- Inclusion and equality: web accessibility ensures that all individuals, regardless of ability, can access the information, services, and opportunities available on the web; helping to create an inclusive digital space where everyone can participate
- Legal compliance: many countries have laws and regulations that require websites to be accessible, such as the EU’s European Accessibility Act (EAA)
- Improved user experience: making a website accessible through features such as clear navigation, better contrast and text resizing, often leads to a better experience for all users, regardless of ability
- Wider audience reach: accessible websites enable businesses to reach a broader audience, including the millions of people with disabilities who rely on assistive technologies to navigate the web
- SEO and Search Engine Rankings: many of the key aspects of web accessibility overlap with search engine optimization (SEO) techniques (such as using alt text for images, and ensuring proper heading structure), and therefore help to improve visibility.
What are the current accessibility laws in the UK?
In the UK, web accessibility is governed by the following key laws and regulations to ensure that digital content is accessible to everyone:
The Equality Act
The Equality Act 2010 is a critical piece of UK legislation that legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and wider society. Under the act, service providers, including website operators, must make reasonable adjustments to their services to ensure that they are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.
The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018
Building on the Equality Act, the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018 mandates that all public sector websites and apps must meet specific accessibility standards, with the act being effective from September 2019 and September 2020 for new and existing websites respectively.
What are the proposed EEA changes?
Aimed at harmonising accessibility requirements across the EU, The European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882) was originally brought into effect into effect in 2019 and introduced the legal framework for improving accessibility.
Planned for 2025, the updated version will build on the existing framework, requiring most digital products and services to embrace accessibility and conform to WCAG 2.1 level AA standards.
The changes will affect not only UK businesses operating within Europe (who will need to comply with the new legislation), but also those operating outside of the EU who will need to consider the potential future, global influence of the EEA on the digital landscape.
What are the risks of non-compliance?
Failure to comply with accessibility laws can not only lead to legal challenges, financial penalties, and reputational damage; it can also result in the loss of potential customers through a poor user experience. Website accessibility is therefore about more than just legal compliance; it's about creating an inclusive digital space which ultimately helps to drive business forwards.
What should your next steps be?
Concerned about the accessibility of your website? Contact a member of the 16i team to discuss further or read our latest blog piece ‘The key aspects of web accessibility’ to find out more about accessibility best practice.