When it comes to designing digital products and services, you know that accessibility matters. Maybe you’ve already developed an accessible design system or built some best practices into your workflow.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve got accessibility covered.
Depending on what you’re designing, there may be specific accessibility laws you need to comply with. And, with different regulations across the US, UK, and EU, figuring out which ones are relevant isn’t always straightforward.
That’s why we’ve written this guide: to simplify the regulatory landscape and make it easier to know where you stand. We’ll break down the key digital accessibility laws and help you determine which ones apply to your product. We’ll also explore what’s at stake if you don’t comply — not to scare you, but to make sure you’re well prepared.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Digital accessibility laws: The key regulations at a glance
- Which accessibility laws apply to your product? A practical quick-check framework
- Next steps: Making sure you’re compliant
- What happens when digital accessibility is ignored? The legal and commercial consequences
Digital accessibility laws: The key regulations at a glance
There’s no universal accessibility law that applies to everyone. Regulations vary depending on where you operate, where your customers or users are based, and the type of product or service you’re designing.
Here are some of the most important regulations to be aware of:
| Law or regulation | Where does it apply? | What does it cover? | What does it mean for UX? |
| Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) | United States | State and local government services, plus many businesses serving the public, including shops, restaurants and hotels. | State and local government websites and apps must meet WCAG 2.1 AA. Private businesses should also follow WCAG guidelines to help ensure their digital services are accessible, although no specific version is legally mandated under the ADA. |
| Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act | United States | Digital technology used by US federal government agencies, including websites, software and electronic documents. | Websites, software and digital documents for US federal agencies must meet the Section 508 Standards, which incorporate WCAG 2.0 AA requirements. |
| European Accessibility Act (EAA) | European Union | Certain consumer products and services, including online shopping, banking, e-books, and some transport services. | Covered products and services must meet the EAA’s accessibility requirements. Use relevant European accessibility standards, such as EN 301 549, to guide your design and help demonstrate compliance. |
| Equality Act 2010 | Great Britain | Businesses and other organisations providing services to the public, including online services. | Digital services must be accessible to disabled users, with reasonable adjustments made where needed. Following WCAG guidelines is recommended, although the Act doesn’t mandate a specific version. |
| Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 | United Kingdom | Most public-sector websites and mobile apps, such as those run by government departments, councils and universities. | Public-sector websites and apps should meet WCAG 2.2 AA, in line with UK government guidance, and publish an accessibility statement. |
These laws don’t all work in the same way. Some set out specific technical standards, while others establish broader obligations to ensure that people with disabilities can access digital products and services.
And bear in mind that the same product or service might be subject to more than one regulation. This is especially likely if you’re designing for an international audience.
Which accessibility laws apply to your product? A practical quick-check framework
We’ve introduced the main regulations. Now, how do you figure out which ones apply to the product(s) and/or service(s) you’re working on?
Start by answering these four questions.
1. Where is your product or service offered?
Is your product available to customers in the US, UK or EU? Or does it serve users across multiple markets?
This is your first clue. For example, if you’re designing an online shop that sells to EU consumers, the European Accessibility Act may apply, even if the business itself is based elsewhere.
2. Who is providing the product or service?
Are you designing for a private business or a public-sector organisation?
This distinction matters, especially in the US and UK. A website for a US federal agency falls under Section 508, while a website for a UK local council is generally covered by the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations.
3. What type of product or service are you designing?
Some laws apply to specific types of products and services.
The European Accessibility Act, for example, covers certain consumer services such as online shopping and banking. So if you’re designing a banking app for EU customers, it’s highly likely that the EAA applies.
4. Are there any exemptions or additional requirements?
Before drawing any conclusions, check whether your product falls under an exemption or is subject to additional rules.
For example, the EAA exempts microenterprises providing services (a microenterprise being a business with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or annual balance sheet of no more than €2 million). At the same time, certain government contracts may introduce accessibility requirements of their own.
Your digital accessibility law quick-check matrix
Use this table to identify the regulations you should learn more about based on the product you’re designing.
| If you’re designing… | Start by looking at… | What this means for your design |
| An online shop serving US customers | ADA Title III, where applicable | Make sure customers with disabilities can browse products, add items to their basket, and complete checkout. |
| A website or app for a US state or local government | ADA Title II | Design to meet WCAG 2.1 AA, including accessible navigation, forms and online services. |
| A digital service for a US federal agency | Section 508 | Follow the applicable Section 508 standards, including WCAG 2.0 AA requirements for covered web content and software. |
| An e-commerce website selling to EU consumers | European Accessibility Act | Make sure customers can navigate your shop, understand product information, and complete purchases accessibly. |
| A consumer banking app offered in the EU | European Accessibility Act | Consider accessibility throughout key banking tasks, from logging in securely to checking balances and making payments. |
| A UK private-sector service website | Equality Act 2010 | Design services that disabled customers can use, with reasonable adjustments to remove barriers where needed. |
| A UK government or local council website | Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations and Equality Act 2010 | Design to meet WCAG 2.2 AA, with accessible forms, navigation and content. |
Remember: This is a starting point, not a definitive legal assessment. The exact requirements will depend on your product, organisation, and circumstances, and more than one law may apply. If you’re unsure, involve your organisation’s legal or compliance team.
Next steps: making sure you’re compliant
Once you know which accessibility laws apply to your product, the next step is figuring out what they require and how to put those requirements into practice.
Here’s where to start.
1. Get familiar with the specific legal requirements
Start by reviewing the official guidance for the laws that apply to your product. Pay attention to which accessibility standards they reference, what types of digital experiences they cover, and whether there are any relevant deadlines or exemptions.
You don’t need to become a legal expert, but you should understand the requirements that could affect your design decisions. If your organisation has a legal or compliance team, this is a good time to involve them.
2. Gather the relevant accessibility guidelines and resources
Many digital accessibility laws reference technical standards that help translate legal requirements into practical design considerations.
One of the most important resources is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). WCAG provides guidance on making digital content accessible, covering everything from colour contrast and keyboard navigation to accessible forms and error messages.
Check which version and conformance level are relevant to your product. Different laws may reference different standards, and meeting WCAG alone doesn’t necessarily guarantee full legal compliance.
3. Build accessibility requirements into your design process
Once you understand the relevant requirements, make sure they’re reflected in how you work.
That might mean updating your design system with accessible components, establishing guidelines for common interactions or incorporating accessibility considerations into design reviews.
The goal is to make accessibility part of your everyday design decisions, rather than something you only revisit before launch.
Read also: How to build an accessible design system.
4. Work with your team to check and maintain compliance
Accessibility is a shared responsibility. Work with developers, accessibility specialists and other stakeholders to make sure requirements are carried through from design to implementation.
Agree on how accessibility will be evaluated, who is responsible for addressing issues, and how you’ll keep up with changes to relevant standards or regulations.
Remember that compliance isn’t necessarily a one-time task. As your product evolves, you’ll need to make sure new features and updates continue to meet the necessary requirements.
5. Build your expertise with accessibility training
If you’re not quite sure how to translate accessibility requirements into everyday design decisions, consider investing in dedicated training.
The UX Design Institute’s Professional Certificate in Designing for Accessibility can help you build the knowledge and practical skills you need. You’ll learn about key accessibility laws and standards, including the EAA and WCAG, and how to apply accessibility best practices to real-world design scenarios.
What happens when digital accessibility is ignored?
Failing to meet accessibility requirements can have serious consequences. And we’re talking about more than frustrated users or a poor customer experience (although that’s bad enough!). Businesses can also face legal action, financial penalties and the cost of making substantial changes to products that are already live.
Some well-known organisations have learned this the hard way…
Domino’s Pizza: When online ordering becomes a legal issue
In 2016, a blind customer sued Domino’s Pizza after being unable to order food through its website and app using screen-reading software.
The case became a major legal battle over whether the Americans with Disabilities Act applied to digital services. In 2019, a US appeals court ruled that the ADA covered Domino’s website and app because they connected customers to its physical restaurants. In 2021, a lower court ordered Domino’s to make its website accessible and awarded the customer $4,000 in damages.
The takeaway for UX designers? Even a seemingly straightforward task like ordering a pizza can have legal implications if your design prevents people with disabilities from completing it.
Target: A $6 million accessibility settlement
In 2006, US retailer Target faced a class-action lawsuit over accessibility barriers on its e-commerce website. Blind customers reported difficulties accessing information and shopping online using screen readers.
Target settled the case in 2008, agreeing to establish a $6 million fund for affected customers. The company also committed to improving its website’s accessibility and introducing ongoing monitoring and employee training.
It’s a striking example of how accessibility problems can become expensive to resolve, especially when they affect essential customer journeys.
Fashion Nova: When even an accessibility settlement has accessibility problems
In 2020, online fashion retailer Fashion Nova faced a class-action lawsuit from blind customers who alleged that its website was inaccessible to people using screen-reading software.
In 2025, the company reached a proposed $5.15 million settlement. But there was a rather ironic twist: in February 2026, the US Department of Justice raised concerns that even the website for claiming compensation was inaccessible to blind users.
The Department of Justice also questioned whether the settlement included sufficient measures to ensure Fashion Nova would improve its website’s accessibility.
For UX designers, the lesson is clear: accessibility needs to be considered throughout the entire user experience, including the processes designed to support customers when things go wrong.
The wider business costs of inaccessible design
Of course, legal action is only part of the picture. When you ignore accessibility, there are also consequences for the business, such as:
- Lost customers and revenue: People who can’t navigate a website or complete a purchase may have no choice but to go elsewhere.
- Expensive fixes: Redesigning inaccessible experiences after launch can mean additional development work later on.
- Reputational damage: Accessibility complaints and negative publicity can undermine customer trust.
- Ongoing legal and compliance costs: Beyond fines or settlements, organisations may need to pay for legal advice, accessibility audits, staff training, and continued monitoring.
Ultimately, making accessibility a priority from the outset helps protect the business while ensuring more people can use and benefit from your products.
The takeaway and next steps
Digital accessibility is both a design priority and a legal responsibility. Start by identifying which laws apply to your product, then review the specific requirements and standards you need to meet.
From there, work with your team to turn those requirements into practical design guidelines. Build accessibility checks into your everyday workflow, and test regularly to make sure the product remains accessible and compliant.
Use the questions and quick-reference tools in this guide as a starting point for further research. And, for more in-depth training to build essential skills and confidence in this area, check out the UX Design Institute’s Professional Certificate in Designing for Accessibility.
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Emily is a professional writer and content strategist with an MSc in Psychology. She has 8+ years of experience in the tech industry, with a focus on UX and design thinking. A regular contributor to top design publications, she also authored a chapter in The UX Careers Handbook. Emily also holds a BA in French and German and is passionate about languages and continuous learning.
