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Digital Accessibility in 2024: Report download and key findings
AbilityNet’s 2024 survey of organisational attitudes to digital accessibility and inclusion show a mixed picture of attitudes towards digital accessibility at a challenging time. It was made available from 10 August - 12 September 2024, and was disseminated by AbilityNet and partner organisations globally.
A mixed picture at a challenging time
Our 2023 survey showed organisations falling into two camps: Accessibility Leaders that are seeing the benefits of investing in accessibility, and Accessibility Laggards who are being left behind. This year’s results confirm that split is growing.
There is some good news on increases in confidence and brand value, but, more worryingly, our respondents feel that digital accessibility is a lower priority in 2024 than 2023.
In 2023,10% of respondents said that accessibility is 'a very high priority’. In 2024 none of our respondents said that it is ‘a very high priority’.
And digital accessibility is a ‘low priority’ for 19.83% of respondents in 2024, a noticeable increase from 14.4% in 2023.
‘Lack of awareness, knowledge and understanding’ was the most common reason given why digital accessibility was a lower priority. And over half of respondents said that competing priorities were a significant barrier to accessibility.
Our annual survey once again shows how much work we all need to do to push accessibility into mainstream business as usual.
We hope you find the details help you understand the best way to address your own challenges.
Download the report:
Download the summary report PDF
Download the full report in Word
Find out more about the survey results report methodology.
Digital Accessibility in 2024: Key findings summary
- Digital accessibility needs to be a higher priority across organisations and sectors. Findings from the survey show that digital accessibility is perceived as a lower priority in 2024 compared to 2023 . Competing priorities were a significant barrier for over half of respondents.
- Legal requirements are successful as a motivator for delivery. Meeting legal requirements was the leading motivating factor in delivering digital accessibility and was a bigger motivator in 2024 compared to 2023. However, a portion of respondents noted that legal requirements meant organisations did the bare minimum and that the consequences of non-compliance were not great enough.
- Brand reputation is increasing in importance. Protecting brand reputation is a more significant motivator in 2024 compared to 2023.
- Staff at all levels need mandatory training and knowledge development to support successful delivery. Lack of internal skills or experience was the most prominent barrier to digital accessibility delivery. Digital accessibility training and understanding were both frequently mentioned by staff as a way to improve delivery.
- Organisations need support to build a business case for digital accessibility. Lack of understanding of the needs and impact of successfully delivery digital accessibility contributed to de-prioritisation.
- Senior advocates are important for successful delivery of digital accessibility. A third of respondents told us no or low senior leader involvement was a significant barrier to delivery. It was linked to other barriers such as limited resource and lack of understanding and awareness. It was found to be common across organisations that one person or a small group of non-senior advocates were trying to gain senior buy-in with no success.
- Digital accessibility needs appropriate and dedicated resources to be delivered successfully. Budget was a significant barrier for over half of respondents. Budget was often linked to competing priorities, senior buy-in, and lack of knowledge. An increase in resources (money, time, staff) was the most common answer to what would help delivery.
- Organisations need clarity on the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and which requirements apply to them. Close to half of respondents were unsure if the EAA applied to their organisation.
Download the summary PDF or the full report for further insights into topics including user research and Artificial Intelligence (AI) findings.
Contact Annie Mannion at AbilityNet for questions about the report.