The United Kingdom's legal framework for digital accessibility is built on two primary pieces of legislation: the broad Equality Act 2010 and the more specific Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018. Together, they create a comprehensive mandate for inclusivity across both private and public sectors.
Unlike EU member states, the UK has not transposed the European Accessibility Act (EAA) into its national law following Brexit. However, the EAA still impacts UK businesses that trade with the EU.
1. The Equality Act 2010
This is the UK's foundational anti-discrimination law. It protects individuals from unfair treatment based on nine "protected characteristics," one of which is disability.
- Who it Applies To: The Act applies to almost every organization in the UK, including public sector bodies, private businesses of all sizes, and individuals providing goods or services to the public.
- Key Requirement: The Act requires service providers to make "reasonable adjustments" to ensure that people with disabilities can access their services on an equal basis with others. Crucially, courts and enforcement bodies have affirmed that websites and mobile apps are considered "services" under this Act.
- Technical Standard: The Equality Act does not prescribe a specific technical standard like WCAG. However, in legal practice, conformance with the WCAG 2.2 Level AA guidelines is widely accepted as the primary way to demonstrate that "reasonable adjustments" have been made and to mitigate the risk of a discrimination claim.
2. The Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 (PSBAR)
These regulations are the UK's implementation of the EU's Web Accessibility Directive (WAD), which it adopted before leaving the EU.
- Who it Applies To: The PSBAR applies specifically to public sector bodies. This includes central and local government organizations, the NHS, most universities, and some charities that are publicly funded or provide essential services.
- Technical Standard: Unlike the broader Equality Act, the PSBAR is explicit about its technical requirements. It mandates that all websites and mobile apps must conform to WCAG 2.2 Level AA.
- Other Obligations: The PSBAR also requires public sector bodies to publish and maintain a detailed accessibility statement on their websites, declaring their level of compliance and providing a feedback mechanism for users.
- Enforcement: The Government Digital Service (GDS) monitors compliance for the public sector. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has the power to investigate and take legal action against non-compliant organizations.
What About the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?
Since the UK is no longer an EU member, it has not adopted the EAA into its domestic law. However, the EAA is still highly relevant for many UK businesses. If a UK-based company offers products or services (such as e-commerce, banking, or e-books) to customers within the EU, that business must comply with the EAA's requirements to access the EU market.
The Unified Goal: WCAG 2.2 AA
For any organization operating in the UK, the path to compliance is clear. Whether fulfilling the "reasonable adjustments" duty under the Equality Act 2010 or the specific mandates of the PSBAR 2018, achieving WCAG 2.2 Level AA conformance is the universally recognized standard. This approach not only ensures legal compliance within the UK but also aligns with the standards required for doing business in the EU.
Wawsome's platform is designed to help your organization navigate the UK's legal landscape with confidence, providing the automated tools and expert insights needed to meet WCAG 2.2 AA standards and maintain an inclusive digital presence.