Accessibility & Inclusivity

A fairer world. For everyone.

  • A website that everyone can use
  • Required for many EU businesses
  • Boosts traffic & improves loyalty
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Accessibility Solution

98%

of websites can’t be used by people with disabilities.

20%

of the world’s total population have a disability.

82%

of disabled customers are more loyal to accessible businesses.

What is accessibility

What is accessibility in the digital world?

The term accessibility refers to offering a product or service that can be used by people with disabilities. In the case of the Internet, it means having a website that can be used by absolutely everyone, even users with vision or cognitive impairments.

A well-designed website doesn’t just focus on aesthetics; it's not enough just to have pretty pictures and an attractive font. Function, usability and inclusivity all need to be considered as well. Whether it’s ensuring clear readability or compatibility with assistive technology such as JAWS or NVDA screen readers, accessible design is a vital part of modern web standards.

Accessibility Act 2025

What is the
European Accessibility Act 2025?

The European Accessibility Act 2025 (also known as the EU Accessibility Act) is a landmark piece of legislation, designed to ensure that every digital platform across the EU adheres to inclusive standards.

Are you one of the following?

  • A business with more than 10 employees, or revenue over €2m
  • A business with customers in the EU

If so, you’ll need to review web accessibility standards and ensure your website is compatible with assistive technology. An accessibility audit can help to identify any gaps in cover.

Why digital accessibility matters

watch

Making your website accessible isn’t just a corporate responsibility – it's also the right thing to do. Digital accessibility breaks down virtual walls and gives everyone the chance to use your website on their own terms.

Watch how it works

Understanding UK Accessibility Laws & Guidelines

Web accessibility benefits all of society. By paying heed to UK accessibility regulations you're not just fulfilling your legal obligations, you’re also committing to digital inclusion and equal access for all users, including those with disabilities.

Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010

The purpose of The Equality Act is to ensure that organisations don’t discriminate against people with protected characteristics – including disabled users. It requires reasonable adjustments to be made so that digital services, such as websites and mobile apps, are accessible to all.

A simple way of doing this is by meeting the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standard, developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

This includes ensuring digital compatibility with assistive technologies, such as screen readers, voice navigation tools and alternative input devices.

UK Accessibility Guidelines

UK Accessibility Guidelines

Under UK law and best practice, digital content should follow globally recognised web accessibility standards. These include:

  • Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) by W3C, setting technical standards for readability, keyboard navigation and colour contrast.
  • Use of accessibility checkers to perform regular accessibility audits Implementation of accessibility widgets, online accessibility testing and support for users with impaired vision or other visual disabilities

If so, you’ll need to review web accessibility standards and ensure your website is compatible with assistive technology. An accessibility audit can help to identify any gaps in cover.

Frequently asked questions about accessibility

  • What is The Equality Act 2010?

    The Equality Act 2010 is the central piece of UK legislation protecting people from discrimination, including in digital spaces.

    When applied to websites and online services, this means organisations must:

    • Make reasonable adjustments to ensure digital access for disabled users
    • Provide equal access to services regardless of ability, covering everything from forms to navigation
    • Treat failure to comply as potential discrimination under UK law

    Complying with the Equality Act 2010 ensures digital services are inclusive, fair and legally compliant.

  • What are the UK Accessibility Guidelines?

    The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 mandate digital accessibility across UK public bodies.

    To comply, public sector websites must:

    • Follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standards, covering readability, contrast and keyboard-friendly navigation
    • Use tools like web accessibility checkers to identify and fix accessibility issues
    • Support assistive technologies such as JAWS or NVDA by integrating accessibility widgets and regular online accessibility testing

    Adhering to UK accessibility guidelines promotes inclusive design and helps prevent accessibility-related legal risks.

  • What are the Public Sector Accessibility Regulations?

    The European Accessibility Act 2025 is EU legislation mandating that key digital products and services be accessible to people with disabilities.

    Key points to note are:

    • Meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines WCAG 2.1 AA standards, including compatibility with screen readers and alternative input devices
    • Publish an accessibility statement outlining how their services meet legal requirements
    • Perform regular audits and updates to maintain compliance across all platforms

    These regulations ensure public sector platforms are accessible to everyone, regardless of ability.

  • Who needs to comply with UK accessibility laws?

    Both public and private sector organisations must ensure digital services are inclusive and barrier-free.

    Here's how the rules apply:

    • Public sector organisations must comply with specific accessibility regulations and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines WCAG 2.1 AA
    • Private businesses are covered under the Equality Act 2010 and must avoid discrimination online
    • All sectors are encouraged to follow best practices such as accessibility audits and user testing

    Understanding who must comply is vital for avoiding legal issues and building a fully accessible digital presence.

  • How can private businesses ensure website accessibility?

    While not subject to the same formal regulations as public bodies, private businesses are still bound by the Equality Act 2010.

    To meet their obligations, they should:

    • Design websites to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines WCAG 2.1 AA to avoid excluding disabled users
    • Use web accessibility checkers and assistive technology testing during development
    • Offer alternative access methods for essential services, such as phone support or readable PDFs

    Meeting these accessibility standards isn't just ethical - it also supports better SEO and a wider customer base.

  • How does the UK align with the European Accessibility Act 2025?

    Although the UK has left the EU, the recent European Accessibility Act 2025 still holds influence.

    Many UK businesses are choosing to:

    • Voluntarily align with EU accessibility standards to retain international credibility and market access
    • Review guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and Government Digital Service (GDS)
    • Stay updated with evolving accessibility legislation to remain ahead of competitors

    Taking cues from the European Accessibility Act 2025 is a strategic move for long-term accessibility and business success.

The accessWidget software cannot guarantee full WCAG 2.1 compliance for every single element on your site as incompatibility with some elements is always possible. Please consult our consultants to ensure you achieve compliance after installing accessWidget.

* The offer is first month for £1.00 (ex VAT) on monthly WayWidget - Lite 1 and monthly WayWidget - Standard 1 plans. These offers are for the first billing period only, do not apply to renewals and are limited to online transactions. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with any others and may be withdrawn at any time at the discretion of Team Blue Internet Services UK Limited.