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What is web accessibility — and is it law in the UK?

A plain-English overview of digital accessibility, WCAG, UK public-sector duties, and why inclusive design helps SEO and conversions.

What accessibility means on the web

Accessibility ensures people using keyboards, screen readers, voice control, or adjusted contrast can use your site without unnecessary barriers. It overlaps with good UX: predictable navigation, readable text, and forms that do not trap users.

Standards such as WCAG describe testable success criteria; many UK organisations aim for Level AA as a pragmatic target.

Legal context (not legal advice)

UK public-sector websites and apps have specific accessibility regulations and reporting duties. Private businesses are still subject to broader equality and consumer frameworks; requirements vary by sector and context.

Treat this article as general information — obtain professional advice for your situation, especially if you operate in regulated industries.

Why it still matters commercially

Inclusive sites reach more customers, reduce support friction, and tend to align with technical SEO basics (semantic HTML, sensible headings, working controls).

You can run our free accessibility scan as a starting point, then prioritise fixes by impact and effort.

Questions about your site?

Tell us your goals — we reply with honest fit and next steps.

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