Is Website Accessibility a Legal Requirement UK?

Quick Answer

Yes. The Equality Act 2010 requires all UK businesses providing goods or services to the public, including through a website, to make reasonable adjustments for disabled users. There is no exemption for small businesses. Public sector websites face a stricter additional duty under the 2018 Accessibility Regulations, requiring WCAG 2.2 Level AA conformance and a published accessibility statement.

The Two Layers of UK Law

The Equality Act 2010 applies to every business, charity, and service provider in the UK, regardless of size. It requires “reasonable adjustments” to prevent discrimination against disabled people, and this duty extends to digital services, including your website. Unlike some other accessibility laws, there is no size-based exemption.

The Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 apply specifically to government and public sector websites, requiring WCAG 2.2 Level AA conformance and a published, regularly updated accessibility statement, enforced by the Central Digital and Data Office.

What “Reasonable Adjustments” Actually Means for a Website

The Equality Act does not name a specific technical standard, which is where a lot of confusion comes from. In practice, WCAG 2.2 Level AA has become the accepted benchmark courts and regulators reference when assessing whether reasonable adjustments were made. Meeting it is the clearest way to demonstrate compliance if a claim is ever raised against you.

Does This Apply to a Small Shop or Local Business Website?

Yes. The Equality Act applies to virtually any UK organisation providing goods, services, or facilities to the public, which includes a local shop’s website, a freelancer’s booking page, or a small e-commerce store. Size is not a factor in whether the duty applies, though it can be a factor in what counts as a “reasonable” adjustment for that specific business.

What About Website Builders Like Wix or Squarespace?

Using a website builder does not remove your legal duty. You remain responsible for the accessibility of the finished site, regardless of the platform used to build it. Some builders offer more accessible defaults than others, but none of them guarantee compliance automatically.

What Happens If a Website Isn’t Accessible?

A disabled user who cannot use your website can bring a discrimination claim under the Equality Act. Separately, if your business sells to EU customers, the European Accessibility Act introduces its own enforcement route with real fines already being issued in EU member states. See our guide on the European Accessibility Act for UK businesses for how that separate law affects you.

Real Consequences Businesses Face

Discrimination claims and potential compensation under the Equality Act
Reputational damage, particularly given how visible accessibility complaints have become on social media
Loss of business from the estimated 16 million UK adults living with a disability
For EU-facing businesses, EAA enforcement action and fines

What You Should Do Next

Confirm whether your business is in scope for the Equality Act (almost certainly yes) and the EAA (only if you serve EU customers)
Get a baseline understanding of where your site currently stands against WCAG 2.2 AA
Start with the highest-impact fixes rather than trying to solve everything at once
Consider publishing an accessibility statement, even though it isn’t strictly mandatory for most private businesses, as a visible sign of good faith effort

Frequently Asked Questions

Do small businesses need accessible websites in the UK?
Yes. The Equality Act 2010 applies to all UK businesses with no size-based exemption.

Is there a specific accessibility law for private UK websites?
Not a dedicated one. The Equality Act 2010 applies generally, with WCAG 2.2 AA as the accepted practical benchmark.

Are website builders like Wix or Squarespace exempt from accessibility law?
No. The business using the platform remains legally responsible, regardless of which tool built the site.

What happens if my website isn’t accessible?
You risk a discrimination claim under the Equality Act, and if you serve EU customers, potential enforcement under the European Accessibility Act.

Do I need to fully meet every WCAG criterion to be compliant?
WCAG 2.2 AA is the accepted benchmark for demonstrating reasonable adjustments, though the Equality Act itself is principles-based rather than a strict technical checklist.

Is Website Accessibility a Legal Requirement in the UK?