Accessibility Standards for UK Websites: Legal Requirements and Best Practices in 2025

Creating an accessible website isn't just good practice—it's a legal requirement for UK businesses. As digital presence becomes increasingly important, ensuring your website can be used by everyone, regardless of ability, is crucial for compliance, reputation, and reaching your entire audience.

At AppCoder, we've guided numerous UK businesses through the accessibility landscape. This guide outlines current legal requirements and practical steps to make your website both compliant and truly inclusive.

UK Legal Framework for Web Accessibility in 2025

The UK's approach to digital accessibility combines domestic legislation with adopted EU standards. Here's what you need to know:

The Equality Act 2010

This foundational legislation requires service providers (including website owners) to make "reasonable adjustments" to ensure people with disabilities aren't at a "substantial disadvantage" when accessing services. For websites, this means implementing accessibility features that accommodate various disabilities.

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

While specifically targeting public sector organisations, these regulations have become the de facto standard for all UK websites. They require conformance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA—a standard now widely applied to private sector websites too.

The updated EU Web Accessibility Directive

Despite Brexit, the UK has maintained alignment with EU standards. The latest updates require websites to provide accessibility statements and ensure ongoing compliance with evolving standards.

WCAG 2.2: The Current Standard

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 became the reference standard in 2023, with all sites expected to be compliant by 2025. These guidelines are organised around four key principles:

1. Perceivable: Information must be presentable in ways all users can perceive
2. Operable: User interface components must be operable by everyone
3. Understandable: Information and operation must be understandable
4. Robust: Content must be robust enough to work with current and future technologies

Practical Implications for Your Business Website

Understanding how these requirements translate into practical website features is essential:

Essential Accessibility Features for 2025

1. Screen Reader Compatibility Every element on your website should be navigable and understandable via screen readers. This includes proper HTML semantics, image alt text, and ARIA attributes where necessary.
2. Keyboard Navigation Users should be able to access all website functionality using only a keyboard. This includes visible focus indicators and logical tabbing order.
3. Colour Contrast Text should have sufficient contrast with background colours (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text). This helps users with visual impairments, colour blindness, or those viewing your site in bright sunlight.
4. Text Resizing Content must remain functional when text is resized up to 200%, without loss of content or functionality.
5. Forms and Error Messages Forms need clear labels, error identification, and suggestions for correction. Time limits should be adjustable, and users must be able to review submissions before finalising.
6. Video and Audio Content Provide captions for videos, transcripts for audio content, and avoid content that automatically plays or flashes at certain rates.
7. Responsive Design Your site should function well across devices and at different zoom levels, with content reordering appropriately.

The Business Case for Accessibility

Beyond legal compliance, there are compelling business reasons to prioritise accessibility:

Expanded Market Reach

Nearly 16 million people in the UK have a disability—that's approximately 24% of the population. An inaccessible website effectively excludes a significant portion of potential customers.

Improved User Experience for Everyone

Accessibility improvements benefit all users. Clear navigation, readable content, and intuitive forms create a better experience for everyone, not just those with disabilities.

Enhanced SEO Performance

Many accessibility features—such as proper headings, descriptive alt text, and structured content—align perfectly with search engine optimisation best practices, improving your site's visibility.

Protection from Legal Action

The number of accessibility-related legal claims against UK businesses has increased by 30% since 2023. Addressing accessibility proactively protects your business from potential legal challenges.

Common Myths About Web Accessibility

There are several misconceptions that prevent businesses from embracing accessibility:

Myth: "Accessible websites look bland and boring." Reality: Modern accessible design can be visually appealing and innovative while remaining usable for everyone.

Myth: "It's too expensive to implement." Reality: Building accessibility in from the start adds minimal cost. Retrofitting existing sites is more expensive, but still typically costs less than potential legal penalties.

Myth: "Accessibility is only about blind users." Reality: Accessibility addresses a wide range of needs, including motor limitations, cognitive disabilities, deafness, colour blindness, and temporary impairments.

Getting Started with Accessibility Improvements

If your website needs an accessibility overhaul, here's a practical approach:

1. Audit Your Current Site Use automated tools like the WAVE accessibility evaluator or Lighthouse to identify obvious issues. Follow up with manual testing, ideally involving users with disabilities.
2. Create an Accessibility Statement Document your commitment to accessibility, compliance level, known issues, and how users can report problems.
3. Prioritise Fixes Address high-impact issues first, such as keyboard navigation barriers, missing alt text, and poor colour contrast.
4. Build Accessibility into Your Process Incorporate accessibility checks into your content creation and development workflows to prevent new issues.
5. Test Regularly Accessibility isn't a one-time task—it requires ongoing vigilance, especially when adding new content or features.

Future Trends in Web Accessibility

Looking ahead, several developments are shaping the future of web accessibility:

• AI-powered accessibility tools that automatically suggest improvements or adapt content for different users
• Voice-first interfaces that integrate seamlessly with screen readers and voice assistants
• Personalisation options that allow users to customise their experience based on their specific needs
• Enhanced mobile accessibility standards that account for touch interfaces and smaller screens

Conclusion

Web accessibility is no longer optional for UK businesses—it's an essential component of a professional, compliant online presence. At AppCoder, we integrate accessibility standards into every website we build, ensuring our clients' digital platforms welcome all users while meeting legal requirements.

Whether you're building a new site or updating an existing one, prioritising accessibility protects your business legally while expanding your potential audience and improving the experience for all users.

Need help making your website accessible? Contact our team of experts at AppCoder to discuss how we can help you create a website that works for everyone.