Understanding the Latest Accessibility Legislation and Why It Matters for Your Business

As governments across the globe introduce new legislation and standards for digital accessibility, businesses must ensure that their websites and digital assets are inclusive for all users. This includes those with disabilities who may use assistive technologies like screen readers or speech-to-text software. This article dives into the latest accessibility legislation and explains why businesses, regardless of size or industry, need to act now to ensure compliance.

What is Accessibility in Digital Marketing?

Accessibility in the digital space refers to designing and developing websites, apps, and other digital assets in a way that they can be easily accessed and used by everyone, including individuals with disabilities. Disabilities can include visual, auditory, physical, or cognitive impairments that impact how a person interacts with a digital product. This means that businesses need to be aware of how users with these impairments experience their digital content.

Accessibility affects more than just the disabled community. For example, older adults or users with temporary injuries can benefit from accessible design. Not only does digital accessibility improve the user experience (UX) for everyone, but it also helps businesses widen their audience reach and demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity.

The Latest Legislation Impacting Businesses

Governments and international organizations have made it clear that accessibility is a priority. The following are some of the key pieces of legislation that your business should be aware of:

1. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) – Coming into full effect in 2025, the EAA requires that key digital services like e-commerce, banking, and public sector websites be fully accessible to people with disabilities. This legislation affects all businesses operating in the European Union and is expected to influence global accessibility standards.
2. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – While primarily associated with physical spaces, the ADA has expanded its reach to include digital properties. U.S. businesses are required to ensure that their websites meet accessibility standards, with non-compliance leading to lawsuits and hefty fines.
3. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 – WCAG is the gold standard for digital accessibility and outlines how websites and apps can meet the needs of users with disabilities. WCAG 2.2 builds on previous versions, adding new guidelines for mobile device accessibility and improving navigation for users with cognitive disabilities.

Why Accessibility Matters for Your Business

Beyond compliance, making your website accessible brings a host of other benefits:

• Avoiding Legal Risks: Non-compliance with accessibility laws can lead to costly legal battles. In the U.S., for example, businesses have been sued for not providing accessible websites, resulting in both financial penalties and damage to reputation.
• Improved SEO and Website Performance: Search engines like Google favour accessible websites. For example, using alternative text (alt text) for images improves SEO by helping search engines better understand your content. Accessible websites also tend to have faster load times, improving search rankings.
• Wider Audience Reach: By making your website accessible, you open your business to a larger pool of potential customers. This includes individuals with disabilities, an often overlooked but significant market.
• Better User Experience (UX) for All: Accessibility features like clear navigation, readable fonts, and high-contrast design not only help those with disabilities but improve the overall user experience for everyone, including older adults and users with temporary injuries.

At Emarkable, we specialise in helping businesses navigate the complex world of digital accessibility. Don’t wait until it’s too late—ensure your digital assets are compliant with the latest legislation and accessible to everyone. Contact us today for a free consultation and audit!