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1.3 billion. 16% of the world’s population. That is how many people, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), live with a disability – and the true figure is likely higher. In the UK that’s 1 in 4, so it’s more than likely you personally know and interact with someone who has a disability, even if you don’t realise it. So surely with that many people requiring a range of different access needs, ensuring online accessibility is pivotal to businesses, right? Because not catering to this huge group of people would be madness. Just think of all the lost business opportunities..
Well, incredibly, for the vast majority of businesses accessibility isn’t something they’ve ever really considered. In fact, almost every website have multiple accessibility issues. That doesn’t mean businesses are doing this on purpose – at least not the ones we speak to. The truth is, most people simply don’t know what they don’t know, and it’s hard to fully understand an experience you’ve never had yourself. That’s exactly why we’ve written this article: to highlight the current state of website accessibility so you can make more informed decisions, support more people and, if it’s your aim, even bring in more business.
So what are the key bits of information you really need to know before you can do anything? Fortunately, there are brilliant organisations like WebAIM, who each year test the top million websites for accessibility issues, and the Purple Pound, which helps to show the real financial impact of getting this wrong.
So what’s being done about this? Over the years there have been a variety of different regulations introduced in different countries and regions to try and create a more equitable society. In the UK we have the Equality Act 2010, which makes it unlawful to discriminate against people with disabilities and requires “reasonable adjustments.” This applies to digital services just as much as physical ones. In the US there is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which has been used in countless lawsuits to argue that websites must be accessible to the public. There are also rules that apply specifically to the public sector in the UK, requiring government and council sites to meet recognised standards.
But 2025 saw the introduction of another key bit of legislation, one that already is making a real positive impact to accessibility in Europe and beyond. That is the European Accessibility Act (EAA). It came into force on 28 June 2025 and sets mandatory accessibility requirements across the EU for digital products and services. The act applies not only to EU businesses but also to UK companies that sell into the EU. Non-compliance is taken seriously. Penalties vary by country, but in some cases fines can reach €1 million and there are even provisions for prison sentences. The law generally applies to businesses above a certain size, often those with revenue over €2 million, but the trend is clear: accessibility is now a legal baseline. For more detail you can read my full article here: Preparing for the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
AI is increasingly part of everyday technology, from apps to wearables. Some tools are designed to support people directly, while others focus on improving how information is understood or shared. Here are a few ways it is being used today:
Apps like Be My AI (from Be My Eyes) and Seeing AI (by Microsoft) support blind and visually impaired people by reading labels and handwriting, describing photos, and even suggesting recipes based on ingredients.
AI is making voice technology more reliable. Google’s Project Relate improves recognition for non-standard speech patterns, while tools like HeardThat filter background noise in busy spaces. Devices such as the Orka Two hearing aid use AI to adjust sound dynamically, giving users clearer conversations without constant manual changes.
AI-powered glasses are becoming more practical for daily use. The Envision Glasses and Ally Solos Glasses can read text, recognise faces, and describe surroundings, giving people with low vision another way to access information.
AI avatars are being developed to translate text into sign language when human interpreters are not available. Tools like Silence Speaks (for British Sign Language) and GenASL (for American Sign Language) aim to make more content accessible to Deaf communities.
Alongside these tools there is a growing focus on building accessibility into AI itself. Training systems on diverse datasets and following inclusive design practices helps make sure technology works well for as many people as possible.
At this point you might be wondering what all of this means for your own website. The reality is that accessibility can feel like a huge subject, but there are some very practical steps you can take right now that will make a real difference. You don’t need to know every detail of the guidelines to start making progress, you just need to look at the basics and approach your site from the point of view of someone who might experience it differently.
One of the easiest places to start is with images. Adding meaningful alt text gives people using screen readers a way to understand what’s being shown. Then there is colour contrast. If your text blends into the background, many people will struggle to read it — including those without any diagnosed condition – so making sure colours stand out is an instant improvement.
Headings and structure are another quick win. Using proper H1, H2 and H3 headings, instead of just bold text, not only makes it easier for search engines but also allows people using assistive technology to move around your content with confidence. The same goes for forms. Clear labels on each field help everyone, whether they are using a screen reader or just filling in details quickly on their phone.
It’s also worth testing how your site works without a mouse. Try pressing the Tab key and moving through your content to see if links, buttons and forms can be reached in a logical order. If you get stuck, so will your visitors. Another simple step is checking that any video or audio has captions or transcripts, which not only helps Deaf and hard-of-hearing users but also anyone who prefers to watch content silently.
None of these actions require a huge budget or deep technical knowledge, but together they add up to a website that is more welcoming and easier to use. And in a world where almost every site still has accessibility issues, even small improvements can help your business stand out.
Accessibility affects billions of people around the world and touches every business, whether they realise it or not. Making your website easier to use isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also one of the smartest business decisions you can make.
If you’d like to understand where your site currently stands, get in touch with us or try our accessibility scorecard to see the steps you can take next.
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