Digital accessibility is the practice of designing and developing websites, applications, and digital content so that people with disabilities can use them effectively. It encompasses visual, auditory, physical, and cognitive disabilities, follows WCAG standards, and is required by law in many jurisdictions, including the ADA in the US and the European Accessibility Act in the EU.
Digital Accessibility
Key facts about digital accessibility
- Concept: Designing and developing digital content, websites, and applications so people with disabilities can use them effectively
- Applies to: Websites, mobile apps, software, electronic documents, and digital tools
- Core standard: WCAG 2.2, built on the POUR principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust
- Assistive technologies: Content must work with screen readers, screen magnifiers, voice recognition software, and alternative input devices
- Legal relevance: Required by the ADA in the US, Section 508 for federal agencies, and the European Accessibility Act (EAA) in the EU
- Scale: An estimated 100 million people in the EU have some form of disability, representing a significant share of any digital audience
What is digital accessibility?
Digital accessibility means that digital content, websites, and applications are designed and developed so that everyone, including people with disabilities, can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with them.
It covers a broad range of conditions, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, and cognitive disabilities, and also benefits people without disabilities, such as those using mobile devices, those in low-bandwidth environments, or older users.
The primary international standard for digital accessibility is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), developed by the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative. WCAG 2.2 is the current version and is referenced by accessibility laws in many countries.
Digital accessibility standards
Digital accessibility is evaluated against WCAG, which organizes requirements around four core principles:
Principle | What it requires |
|---|---|
Perceivable | Content must be presented in ways users can perceive, such as alt text for images |
Operable | Interfaces must be usable via keyboard and other assistive input methods |
Understandable | Content and navigation must be clear, readable, and predictable |
Robust | Content must work across different browsers, devices, and assistive technologies |
WCAG defines three conformance levels. Level AA is the standard required by most accessibility laws and is the target for most organizations. For a full breakdown, see our WCAG glossary page.
Common digital accessibility issues
Frequently identified barriers to digital accessibility include:
- Insufficient color contrast between text and background
- Missing alternative text for images
- Content that cannot be navigated using only a keyboard
- Videos without captions or transcripts
- Inaccessible PDF documents
- Forms without proper labels or error messages
- Inconsistent or missing heading structure
Assistive technologies and digital accessibility
Digitally accessible content must function with the assistive technologies that people with disabilities rely on, including:
- Screen readers that convert text and interface elements to audio or braille
- Screen magnifiers for users with low vision
- Voice recognition software for users with motor impairments
- Alternative keyboards and switch access devices
Testing with real assistive technologies is an essential part of any digital accessibility audit.
Digital accessibility and legal compliance
Digital accessibility is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions:
- ADA: Requires digital content to be accessible to individuals with disabilities in the United States.
- Section 508: Requires federal agencies and their contractors to meet digital accessibility standards
- European Accessibility Act (EAA): Requires accessible digital products and services across EU member states from June 2025
- EN 301 549: The European technical standard for ICT accessibility, which references WCAG 2.1
Non-compliance can result in legal complaints, lawsuits, and reputational damage. Digital accessibility is also recognized as a fundamental right to equal access to information and services.
Digital accessibility testing and auditing
Organizations use a combination of methods to evaluate digital accessibility:
- Automated testing tools identify common issues such as missing alt text, low contrast, and structural errors
- Manual testing assesses context-dependent issues that automated tools cannot detect
- Assistive technology testing evaluates real-world usability with screen readers and keyboard-only navigation
- Structured audits provide a systematic review against WCAG criteria and produce a documented report with remediation guidance
For organizations that need structured support, Clym offers accessibility testing and audits.
Digital accessibility solutions
Organizations implement digital accessibility as part of broader inclusion and compliance strategies. Dedicated platforms can help organizations:
- Support users with disabilities through an accessibility widget
- Manage and track accessibility issue reporting
- Publish and maintain an accessibility statement
- Conduct structured accessibility testing and audits
For more information on how Clym supports digital accessibility compliance, see our accessibility solutions.
Related compliance terms
Common digital accessibility issues
Digital accessibility means that websites, applications, and digital content are designed so that people with disabilities can use them effectively, including those who rely on assistive technologies.
Web accessibility refers specifically to websites and web-based content. Digital accessibility is broader, covering all digital products including mobile apps, software, electronic documents, and other digital tools.
The primary standard is WCAG, developed by the W3C. Most accessibility laws require compliance with WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 at Level AA. See our WCAG glossary page for a full explanation.
Yes, in many jurisdictions. In the US, the ADA and Section 508 require accessible digital content. In the EU, the European Accessibility Act requires compliance from June 2025.
Testing combines automated tools, manual review, and assistive technology testing. A structured accessibility audit provides the most comprehensive and documented assessment.
Digitally accessible content must work with screen readers, screen magnifiers, voice recognition software, and alternative input devices such as switch controls and alternative keyboards.
Adam is the Head of Digital Marketing at Clym, where he leverages his diverse expertise in marketing to support businesses with their compliance needs and drive awareness about data privacy and web accessibility. As one of the company’s original team members, Adam has been instrumental in shaping its journey from the very beginning. When he’s not diving into marketing strategies, Adam can be found cheering on his favorite sports teams or enjoying fishing.
Find out more about Adam