Question 1

What UK law requires website accessibility?

Accepted Answer

The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination against disabled people, including in the provision of services. Websites and apps are considered services. The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018 specifically requires public sector websites to meet WCAG 2.1 AA and publish an accessibility statement.

Question 2

Does the Equality Act 2010 apply to private sector websites?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Equality Act 2010 applies to any organization providing goods, services, or facilities to the public. This includes private companies, charities, and sole traders. If your website is how customers access your services, it must be accessible. The duty is to make 'reasonable adjustments' to avoid substantial disadvantage to disabled people.

Question 3

What are the Public Sector Accessibility Regulations?

Accepted Answer

The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 require all UK public sector websites and mobile apps to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Organizations must publish an accessibility statement and review it annually. The Government Digital Service (GDS) monitors compliance.

Question 4

What are the consequences of non-compliance?

Accepted Answer

For public sector bodies, the Government Digital Service (GDS) can issue enforcement notices. For private sector organizations, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) can take enforcement action under the Equality Act 2010. Individuals can also bring claims to court or employment tribunals. The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has supported legal challenges against inaccessible websites.

Question 5

Does the UK still follow EU accessibility standards post-Brexit?

Accepted Answer

The UK retained the Public Sector Accessibility Regulations after Brexit. The technical standard remains WCAG 2.1 AA. The UK has not adopted the European Accessibility Act (EAA), but may introduce equivalent private sector legislation. Organizations serving both UK and EU customers should comply with both frameworks.

Question 6

Can an automated scanner verify UK compliance?

Accepted Answer

Automated scanning with axe-core identifies common WCAG 2.1 AA violations: missing alt text, unlabeled form fields, language attributes, heading structure, color contrast, ARIA issues, and more. It typically catches 30-50% of WCAG issues. Full compliance under the Equality Act also requires manual testing. OnePageAudit provides automated scanning as a documented starting point.

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Common questions about UK accessibility compliance