Digital accessibility is (or should be!) a priority for most businesses these days. For many, this is driven by a genuine desire to offer an inclusive service. For some, however, while the moral intent may be there, the real driving force is a legal one.
In both the UK and the US, digital accessibility legislation has continued to evolve – tightening expectations and prompting a greater awareness of the risks of non-compliance. So what is the law on accessibility in 2025, and how can your organisation stay ahead?
UK Private Sector
In the UK, private sector websites remain subject to the Equality Act 2010, which protects individuals from discrimination and requires service providers to make reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities. This includes anticipating the needs of disabled users—not just reacting to complaints.
Although there’s still no formal legal precedent that defines what constitutes a “reasonable adjustment” in the context of digital accessibility, guidance and expectations have become more concrete. The government’s endorsement of the WCAG 2.2 AA standard for public sector sites sets a benchmark that private sector organisations are increasingly expected to meet.
While legal action in the UK remains rare, legal risk is growing, and accessibility is now a board-level concern for many forward-thinking businesses.
UK Public Sector
Since 2018, accessibility regulations relating specifically to digital services came into force for public sector organisations. These days, public sector websites, apps and digital documents will need to meet certain accessibility standards and publish a statement saying they have been met. Existing websites should have complied from 23rd September 2020 while the deadline for apps was 23rd June 2021.
It is not 100% who these regulations cover but according to Gov.uk public sector bodies include:
- central government and local government organisations
- some charities and other non-government organisations
But the following organisations are exempt:
- non-government organisations like charities – unless they are mostly financed by public funding, provide services that are essential to the public or aimed at people with a disability
- schools or nurseries – except for the content people need in order to use their services, for example a form that lets you outline school meal preferences
- public sector broadcasters and their subsidiaries
The standard they need to comply with is WCAG 2.w at level AA. However there are some exemptions. e.g. if it would cause a ‘disproportionate burden’. What this appears to mean is that if you are a small, poor organisation (e.g. Parish Council) where the impact of not creating an accessible service will be negligible on your users, you could claim ‘disproportionate burden’. But you have to undertake a formal assessment to make this case.
More information is available on the government website.
US Private Sector
In the US, private organisations are governed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III, which prohibits discrimination in “places of public accommodation.” While the ADA doesn’t explicitly mention websites, case law now strongly supports digital accessibility as a requirement.
Following landmark rulings like Gil v. Winn-Dixie (2017) and Robles v. Domino’s Pizza (2019), there has been a continued rise in litigation. Lawsuits targeting inaccessible websites have become common, particularly among ecommerce, retail, and hospitality businesses.
Between 2017 and 2024, ADA-related digital accessibility lawsuits have continued to grow annually, with over 4,000 new filings in 2024 alone, according to Seyfarth Shaw LLP.
While the ADA does not mandate a specific standard, conformance with WCAG 2.2 AA is widely regarded as best practice – and often cited in legal decisions.
US Government and Public Sector
US federal agencies must meet the Revised Section 508 standards, which require:
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Compliance with WCAG 2.0 AA (although many agencies are now voluntarily moving towards WCAG 2.1 or 2.2)
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Accessibility across all electronic and information technology, including websites, intranets, PDFs, and software tools
Some state and local government websites also follow Section 508 or similar standards, especially if they receive federal funding. The trend is moving toward tighter regulation and stricter enforcement.
European Union
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) came into force in 2019, with compliance deadlines set for 28 June 2025. Unlike previous legislation that focused on public bodies, the EAA applies to private companies offering digital services across the EU, including:
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Ecommerce platforms
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Banking services
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Ticketing and transport apps
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eBooks and reading software
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ATMs, self-service terminals, and more
This means that by mid-2025, many private sector organisations operating in the EU must meet accessibility requirements, or risk penalties and exclusion from markets.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that, wherever you are in the world, WCAG is the gold standard for accessibility and ensuring your digital service complies (by conducting an accessibility audit) will ensure you can tick that legal box.
But compliance is only part of the story. The only way to ensure your digital services are truly usable by people with disabilities is to test with users who have lived experience. As any UX professional knows, accessibility does not guarantee usability – and vice versa.
Final Note
Web Usability is not a legal firm. This article reflects our understanding of current accessibility laws as of 2025, but we strongly recommend seeking formal legal advice if you’re unsure about your organisation’s obligations.