Digital Accessibility: The Why

A note on UK legislation

The intention of this blog post is to excite, rather than scare. That said, it would be remiss of us to not highlight the relevant UK standards that must be considered as part of responsible business practice. In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 serves as the cornerstone, requiring businesses to make “reasonable adjustments” to ensure that their services are accessible to disabled people. This is an ongoing duty, not a one-off fix. While public sector bodies and those in regulated industries have specific mandates (often citing WCAG standards), all businesses are expected to ensure equal access. For those that also trade within the EU, the European Accessibility Act (effective June 2025) further underscores the global move towards inclusive digital standards. 

The financial upside 

With a quarter of those in the UK having a disability, their spending power should be taken seriously. This economic force, known as the “Purple Pound”, is estimated at £274 billion annually (Purple, 2023). With an inaccessible website, you are shutting the door to this entire segment. Beyond this direct loss, consider the “network effect” in which friends and family will also often choose more inclusive businesses. It has been seen that 37% of consumers will leave websites if they aren’t user-friendly and instead click away to a competitor that does a better job of making them feel included. Addressing accessibility early avoids the higher cost of retrofitting it later. 

A better experience for everyone

Good accessibility is good usability. Features like clear navigation, keyboard-friendly controls, and captioned videos improve the online experience for all. For instance, high colour contrast aids visibility in bright sunlight for any user, while resizable text benefits those who simply prefer larger fonts. This reduction in friction and cognitive load means a smoother journey for every visitor, directly impacting satisfaction and task completion rates. 

Brand power 

Consumers increasingly favour brands that demonstrate social responsibility. An accessible digital presence clearly signals your commitment to inclusivity, enhancing your brand image and building trust. This matters for customer loyalty and also for attracting talent, as many value inclusive employers. It strengthens your ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) profile, which has become a large consideration for investors and B2B partners. 

SEO boost as a consequence 

Search engines reward user-friendly websites, and accessibility practices directly contribute to better SEO. Semantic HTML (correct use of headings and landmarks), image alt text (making images understandable to search engines), media transcripts (providing indexable content), and good site architecture all improve how search engines understand and rank your site. Google itself champions accessibility, recognising that these elements contribute to a better experience, which is key to sustained organic visibility. 

How it applies to you

Understanding the "why" is the first step. Next is seeing how accessibility applies to your organisation and the practical steps you can take. The good news? Starting doesn't need to be complex or costly. An initial accessibility scan can quickly provide a baseline and a clear roadmap. 

We’re offering a complimentary, no-obligation 15-minute accessibility consultation to help. In this brief chat, we’ll highlight one or two key opportunities for your website and answer your initial questions, helping you take that first impactful step.