Web accessibility is the practice of designing and building websites and digital tools so that people with disabilities can use them on equal terms. A thoughtful approach to web accessibility benefits the more than one billion people with disabilities worldwide and supports compliance with laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and European Accessibility Act (EAA).
How you approach web accessibility determines who can engage with your products, services, and brand. If your website contains barriers for people with disabilities, you’re turning away many potential customers. You may also be risking a costly, reputation-damaging lawsuit.
The good news? Improving web accessibility doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Let’s break down the basics: what accessibility means for websites, key laws and standards to be aware of, and practical steps to start building better digital experiences for everyone.
Key insights
- An estimated 1.3 billion people worldwide have some form of disability, and many disabilities impact how users engage with the digital world.
- Web accessibility lawsuits filed under the ADA are on the rise, with no signs of slowing.
- Conformance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA is the de facto benchmark for compliance with Title III of the ADA and other accessibility laws.
- Accessible websites align with the four principles of WCAG, known as the “POUR” principles: they are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users.
- Beyond reducing legal risk, prioritizing accessibility can help organizations boost brand reputation and deliver stronger bottom-line revenue.
What is web accessibility?
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) defines web accessibility as the practice of eliminating barriers that prevent people with disabilities from fully engaging with online content. In practice, that means creating websites, mobile apps, and other digital tools that all people, including those with disabilities, can use equitably.
WCAG, the global standard for digital accessibility, outlines four principles that every digital experience should meet: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Collectively, these are known as the “POUR” principles.
Why is website accessibility important?
The web touches nearly every aspect of daily life—from working and shopping to banking, healthcare, and education. When websites aren’t designed and built with accessibility in mind, people with disabilities can encounter barriers that make it difficult, if not impossible, to complete everyday tasks.
With one in four adults in the U.S., and 1.3 billion people worldwide, living with a disability, inaccessible experiences don’t just create friction for users—they create exclusion. In fact, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognizes access to communications technologies, including the web, as a basic human right.
Even unintentional exclusion can have legal consequences. In 2025 alone, plaintiffs filed 3,117 federal accessibility-related lawsuits in the U.S., a 27% increase from the previous year, according to Seyfarth Shaw.
On the flip side, accessible design creates a better user experience for everyone—including people without disabilities. Someone using a phone in bright sunlight, a person with a broken arm, or a parent navigating one-handed all benefit from the same design choices that support people with disabilities—a concept sometimes called the “curb cut effect.”
The bottom line? Prioritizing accessibility is not only the right thing to do, but also a business and legal necessity.
Web accessibility and assistive technologies
To better understand why web accessibility matters, it’s helpful to get familiar with some of the assistive technologies that people with different disabilities use to engage with digital content:
- Screen reader software converts text and user interface (UI) elements into speech. These tools are widely used by people who are blind or have low vision.
- Magnification is used by many people, including those with low vision and certain cognitive disabilities, to increase the size of text and user interface (UI) elements for better readability.
- Keyboard navigation allows users to interact with web pages using the keyboard only, without a mouse or other pointer device. Many screen reader users also rely on keyboard navigation, as do some users with motor disabilities.
- Voice recognition software, like Dragon Professional and Apple Voice Control, lets users navigate and engage with digital experiences via voice commands, rather than with a mouse or keyboard.
- In addition to keyboard and voice navigation, people with disabilities may use a range of alternative input devices—such as mouth wands or eye-tracking software—to interact with digital content.
Web accessibility laws and standards
Digital accessibility is ultimately about providing experiences that are usable for everyone, including people with disabilities. But for a large number of organizations, it’s also a compliance obligation. Many jurisdictions mandate web accessibility through law and understanding which accessibility requirements apply to your organization is critical to avoiding lawsuits and penalties. Let’s explore some of the laws and standards to be aware of.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA is a U.S. civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. Courts have repeatedly applied Title III of the ADA, which mandates the accessibility of public accommodations, to the websites and mobile apps of private businesses.
Meanwhile, a 2024 rule under Title II of the ADA establishes specific accessibility requirements for the websites and mobile apps of state and local governments. WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the technical standard for compliance.
On April 20, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued an Interim Final Rule extending compliance deadlines by one year. The revised deadlines are:
| Entity type | Original deadline | Extended deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Large state / local governments (50,000+ residents) | April 24, 2026 | April 24, 2027 |
| Small state / local governments (< 50,000 residents) | April 26, 2027 | April 26, 2028 |
| Special district governments (all sizes) | April 26, 2027 | April 26, 2028 |
| Public universities and colleges (large systems) | April 24, 2026 | April 24, 2027 |
It’s worth noting that the extension doesn’t let organizations off the hook. The ADA’s nondiscrimination obligations remain in effect, and private plaintiffs are still filing suits throughout the extension period.
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Sections 508 and 504)
Section 508 mandates that all federal government agencies ensure the accessibility of their information and communications technologies (ICT)—including websites, software, and digital tools—at WCAG 2.0 Level AA.
Section 504 prohibits disability-based discrimination in programs that receive federal financial assistance, including public universities and healthcare providers.
European Accessibility Act (EAA)
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) requires that many consumer products and services, including banking and e-commerce, be accessible to people with disabilities. It applies to all organizations selling covered products or services in the EU market, regardless of where they’re headquartered. It became enforceable on June 28, 2025, and penalties vary by Member State. Microenterprises with fewer than 10 employees are exempt.
While the EAA primarily impacts private businesses, public-sector entities in Europe must also meet web and mobile accessibility requirements under the EU Web Accessibility Directive.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
WCAG, developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), are the globally accepted accessibility guidelines for web accessibility. WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the de facto benchmark for compliance with many laws, including Title III of the ADA. The most recent version, WCAG 2.2, adds nine new success criteria focused on cognitive and mobile accessibility.
The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) is the W3C body responsible for developing these international accessibility standards. WAI produces three primary specifications: WCAG, Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA), and the Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines (ATAG)—guidelines for software used to create web content that’s accessible to people with disabilities. For teams aiming to evaluate accessibility, WAI also publishes evaluation tools and the WCAG-EM conformance methodology.
EN 301 549
EN 301 549 is the European standard for accessible ICT products and services, and the presumptive compliance standard for the EAA. It incorporates WCAG 2.1 Level AA for web and mobile content, but goes beyond the scope of WCAG, including additional requirements for software, hardware, and documentation.
The benefits of website accessibility
Digital accessibility may be a legal requirement, but it’s also a business growth lever. According to Level Access’s Seventh Annual State of Digital Accessibility Report, 89% of digital experience professionals consider accessibility a competitive advantage, and 75% say it contributes to improved revenue.
The organizations leading on accessibility aren’t just avoiding risk. They’re building better products and reaching more customers. Here are a few ways digital accessibility benefits businesses:
- Reaching a broader audience: Inaccessible websites exclude many people with disabilities, limiting both reach and revenue potential.
- Improved SEO and AEO: Accessibility best practices like using semantic HTML, proper heading structure, and image alt text improve both accessibility and search engines’ ability to index content, as well as AI systems’ ability to discover and summarize it.
- Positive brand reputation: Organizations that make their digital experiences accessible to people with disabilities are generally perceived as more inclusive and socially responsible—strengthening brand loyalty and attracting customers who value equal access.
- Reduced legal exposure: Federal website accessibility lawsuits have reached near-record highs, with thousands of cases filed in U.S. courts in 2025 alone. Taking a proactive and continuous approach to digital accessibility is one of the most effective ways to reduce that risk.
Web accessibility best practices
Web accessibility is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix. The goal is to build digital experiences from the start that work for everyone, including people with disabilities.
Building a sustainable accessibility practice doesn’t happen overnight—but every improvement can have a meaningful impact on your users. If you’re getting started, the following considerations can help you begin providing a more inclusive web experience.
- Alt text for images: Alt text describes images for people who are blind or who browse without images. Effective alt text is concise, meaningful, and context appropriate.
- Keyboard navigation: All interactive elements—links, buttons, and forms—must be reachable and operable without a mouse.
- Video captions: Closed captions communicate spoken dialogue and relevant audio for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and for anyone watching without sound.
- Screen reader compatibility: Proper headings, lists, and landmarks help screen reader users understand page structure and navigate to relevant sections.
- Sufficient color contrast: Meeting WCAG contrast ratios ensures text is readable for users with low vision or color blindness.
- Accessible forms: Forms need clear labels, and they must be operable for users of keyboard navigation and screen readers.
- Text resizing: Websites should allow text resizing without breaking the page layout or cutting off content.
- Descriptive link text: Links should describe their destination—”Read our accessibility policy” is clearer than “click here” for all users, especially screen reader users.
Start on the sustainable path to web accessibility
Many organizations aren’t aware of web accessibility problems until they’re facing a demand letter or lawsuit. Don’t get caught in the same trap.
Explore the Accessibility Risk Reduction Playbook for a step-by-step roadmap for understanding your true accessibility risk, prioritizing the issues that matter most, improving every user’s experience. And if you’re ready to get started, contact our team to assess your current accessibility health and build a realistic remediation plan.
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