Making Digital Spaces Accessible: Accessibility Acts and Which One Your Business Must Adhere To

Accessibility, in its broadest sense, ensures that everyone, regardless of their abilities or circumstances, can access and use a product, service, or environment.

In the digital world, accessibility is achieved when designers and developers create websites, software, and applications that offer a seamless experience for users with visual, auditory, cognitive, or motor impairments - just as they do for everyone else.

This type of development holds immense social and ethical value, promoting equal opportunities and reducing discrimination by enabling full participation in society.

From a business perspective, failing to meet accessibility standards presents reputational risks, as well as financial and legal consequences. Businesses should understand the importance of accessibility and integrate it into their products and services to ensure compliance and inclusivity.

While the European Accessibility Act (EAA) comes into effect in June 2025, it does not directly impact British businesses unless they sell to the EU market. The directive aims to harmonise accessibility requirements across EU nations, primarily affecting sectors such as consumer electronics, banking services, media and communication, transport, and e-commerce.

UK companies serving customers within the EU must ensure their products and services meet EAA standards to avoid financial penalties, exclusion from public procurement opportunities, and potential removal from the EU market.

Read more about the European Accessibility Act here.

For public sector organisations within the UK, a different set of accessibility regulations apply, governed by The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications No. 2) Accessibility Regulations Act 2018.

Ensuring accessibility in public sector websites and mobile applications is crucial, as these platforms provide essential services that many individuals rely on daily, particularly those with disabilities or impairments. The UK government has set out clear guidance on how public sector organisations must implement accessibility standards to create inclusive digital experiences.

Common Accessibility Challenges 

Many public sector websites do not currently meet accessibility requirements, leading to difficulties for users with disabilities. Common issues include:

• Websites that are difficult to navigate on mobile devices or cannot be used via keyboard controls
• Inaccessible PDFs, which prevent screen readers from processing content
• Poor colour contrast, making text harder to read - especially for visually impaired users

To help resolve these problems, the UK Government Digital Service (GDS) has outlined accessibility requirements for public sector organisations, which must be followed to achieve compliance and improve usability.

Full government guidance can be found here.

Public sector organisations must:

1. Meet WCAG 2.2 AA Standards - Ensure websites and apps are accessible to users with disabilities.
2. Publish an Accessibility Statement - Clearly outline accessibility measures and compliance efforts.
3. Monitor Accessibility Continuously - Conduct regular audits and updates to maintain compliance.
4. Apply Standards to Intranets and Extranets - Internal platforms used by disabled employees must meet accessibility requirements.
5. Test and Document Compliance - Use accessibility evaluation tools and maintain records of improvements.
6. Engage Experts - Consider consulting accessibility specialists for audits and best practice implementation.

Public sector bodies must ensure compliance or risk breaking the law. Accessibility is not optional, and failure to meet these regulations could result in legal consequences. 

Who Must Comply? 

All UK public sector bodies must adhere to accessibility regulations unless exempt. These include:

• Central & Local Government Organisations
• Publicly Funded Charities
• Non-Government Organisations Providing Essential Services
• Primary & Secondary Schools (Limited compliance required for essential content) 
• Public Sector Broadcasters (Partially exempt from accessibility regulations)

Mobile apps developed for general public use must also comply, whereas apps built exclusively for employees or students are not covered under these regulations.

Businesses and organisations must adhere to different accessibility regulations depending on their operations and audience. UK public sector bodies, such as government organisations, publicly funded charities, and essential service provider must comply with the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations Act 2018 which requires them to meet WCAG 2.2 Standards and publish an accessibility statement.

On the other hand, British businesses selling to the EU market must adhere to the European Accessibility Act, which mandates accessibility requirements across sectors such as consumer electronics, banking, media, transport, e-commerce. Understanding these regulations ensures  compliance, avoids penalties, and promotes inclusitivity.

See full details on which organisations must comply here.