Ultimate Guide to Web Accessibility Standards UK

Website accessibility isn’t just about creating a website that looks good—it’s also a legal requirement in the UK. These requirements are designed to allow individuals, regardless of their disabilities, to engage with digital content without being negatively impacted. You may be asking yourself what exactly are these requirements and how they apply not just to my website but to websites as a whole in the UK.

In this guide, we will answer that very question and will cover web accessibility standards UK, the laws that enforce them, the rules that we follow, the tools we use when we conduct web design for those in Lincolnshire, and the steps that you can take to ensure your website is compliant.

Why Web Accessibility Matters

Imagine trying to navigate a website without being able to see, hear, or easily interact with it. For millions of people in the UK, these are daily challenges that most people take for granted. An accessible website not only benefits users with disabilities but also enhances the overall experience for everyone and improves your search engine ranking.

What Are the Accessibility Laws for Websites in the UK?

UK law as some describe it, myself included, is a “rabbit hole that must be followed.” Not to mention it is also confusing… but that’s beside the point. The UK’s Equality Act 2010 is an important piece of web accessibility legislation that mandates that organisations make “reasonable adjustments” to ensure individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against. In simple terms, “Your website must be accessible by everyone.”.

Public Organisations:

In addition to the Equality Act, public organisations must comply with the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018. These regulations mandate adherence to WCAG 2.1 AA standards, which ensures that public websites and apps are accessible to all users.

Private Organisations:

While private companies aren’t explicitly bound by these regulations, failing to meet accessibility standards could still lead to legal action under the Equality Act, which often results in big fines.

What is ADA and What Is the UK Equivalent?

Different countries have different website accessibility procedures that should be adhered to if you plan to operate your website internationally. For example, you may have heard of the term Americans with Disabilities Act, also known as ADA, which governs accessibility in the United States, but what is the difference between the UK standards and ADA standards?

• The ADA: The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability in all areas of public life, including websites. While the ADA doesn’t explicitly mention digital platforms (as it predates the internet), U.S. courts have interpreted it to apply to websites, especially when they are public.
• The Equality Act 2010: This UK law is more specific about digital accessibility, particularly in its “reasonable adjustments” clause. It mandates that businesses make reasonable adjustments to ensure their digital platforms—such as websites—are accessible to people with disabilities. This makes the Equality Act a more direct regulation for web accessibility in the UK.

For UK businesses operating internationally, especially in the U.S., it’s highly encouraged to align with both ADA and web accessibility standards in the UK.

So What Are Web Accessibility Standards in the UK?

One of the key UK regulations is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), a globally recognised standard for accessible web design. These internationally accepted guidelines set the gold standard for accessible design and usability. WCAG has four essential principles which are:

1. Perceivable: Information must be presented in ways users can perceive, such as providing text alternatives for images, known as alt text.
2. Operable: Websites should be navigable via keyboard or assistive technologies.
3. Understandable: Content must be clear and intuitive to interact with.
4. Robust: Websites should remain functional across various devices and assistive tools such as screen readers.

In short, WCAG ensures your website is usable for everyone, regardless of their ability.

The Challenges of Accessibility Compliance

Despite the best intentions, many websites still fall short of meeting accessibility standards. Common pitfalls include:

• Low colour contrast: Insufficient colour contrast: Making text difficult to read for individuals with visual impairments.
• Unlabelled buttons: Preventing screen readers from describing functions to users via audio.
• Inaccessible PDFs: Making PDFs hard to understand and for screen readers to read them aloud.

There are a handful of tools out there designed to help you understand where your website’s accessibility can improve. Tools like Accessibility Checker help identify problem areas. It’s also encouraged that you conduct real-world testing, which provides insights from real users.

Benefits of Meeting UK Accessibility Standards

Complying with web accessibility standards in the UK isn’t just about avoiding costly fines and legal penalties—it can also lead to an increase in traffic to your website as well as other benefits such as:

1. Better SEO and higher rankings: Accessible websites are favoured by search engines, boosting visibility.
2. Wider audience reach: Websites that are accessible to people with disabilities and older adults can engage a larger user base.
3. Improved usability: A well-structured and easy-to-navigate site enhances the experience for all users.

How to make your website accessible

Still unsure where to begin? It’s understandable—accessibility can feel overwhelming. Start with an accessibility audit/checklist to pinpoint any gaps in your website’s compliance. We recommended the A11Y’s Project WCAG Compliance Checklist. From there, develop a list of changes, prioritising high-impact changes. Things like training your team in accessibility principles ensure long-term success.

Tools and Techniques We Use for Web Accessibility

At our web design company in Lincolnshire, we take web accessibility to heart, ensuring that every website we create meets the highest standards of compliance. To achieve this, we use a combination of industry-standard tools, techniques, and best practices to create inclusive, user-friendly websites. Here’s a look at some of the methods we employ:

• Automated Accessibility Testing Tools: We regularly use tools like Accessibility Checker (https://www.accessibilitychecker.org/) to conduct thorough accessibility audits of our websites. Tools like this help us identify common issues, such as colour contrast problems, missing alt text, and inaccessible form fields, ensuring that we address potential barriers before they affect your users.
• Manual Testing and Real-World Feedback: Automated tools are useful, but they can’t catch everything. That’s why we complement these with manual testing, including navigating the website with a keyboard, screen readers, and other assistive technologies. We also gather real-world feedback from users to make sure our designs are truly accessible.
• WCAG 2.1 Compliance: All of the websites that we design follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standards.
• Training and Best Practices: We ensure that our team is up-to-date on the latest accessibility guidelines and best practices. Which includes ongoing training and following good web design principles.
• Accessible Content Management Systems (CMS): We work with platforms like WordPress and WooCommerce, which offer built-in features to help improve accessibility. We also customise themes and plugins to meet accessibility standards and ensure content is accessible to all users.

By using these tools and techniques, we ensure that a website isn’t just accessible to users with disabilities but is also a better experience for everyone. Accessibility is at the core of everything we do, and we’re committed to making sure your website meets the highest standards. If you are looking for someone to design your website, we’d be more than happy to help. Contact us today (https://wemakeweb.co.uk/contact-us/).

Aligning with Web Accessibility Standards UK

In summary, web accessibility standards in the UK are crucial for creating inclusive websites that serve all users, including those with disabilities. Compliance with regulations such as the Equality Act 2010 and WCAG 2.1 ensures your website is not only legally compliant but also improves the overall user experience and enhances SEO. By conducting accessibility audits, using the right tools, and incorporating best practices, you can make your website more accessible and reach a wider audience. Prioritising accessibility is not just a legal obligation; it’s a commitment to providing a better, more inclusive web for everyone.