Survey shows low priority for accessibility, plus uncertainty over European Accessibility Act

Report cover for Attitudes to Digital Accessibility 2024 October showing woman at work in front of computer smilingResults just announced from AbilityNet's annual global survey of attitudes to digital accessibility, show a worrying indication that digital accessibility is a lower priority in 2024 than 2023.

Of the 441 responses to the survey, completed during August and September 2024, 19% in 2024 feel that digital accessibility is a ‘low priority’ compared with 14% in 2023.

Additionally, 0% of respondents told us digital accessibility was a ‘very high priority’ in 2024, compared with 10% in 2023.

Other headline findings from the report include that organisations need clarity on the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and which requirements apply to them. Nearly half of respondents (45%) were unsure if the EAA applied to their organisation.

By far the most popular answer when people were given a magic wand was to ask for more resources. Throughout the responses, a need for digital accessibility awareness, prioritisation, and funding was highlighted. There are pockets of good practice, but the survey highlighted this was often being done by non-senior staff, without enough resources, lacking senior buy-in. 

Brand reputation is also shown to be increasing in importance. Protecting brand reputation is a more significant motivator in 2024 compared to 2023.  

This report will help you benchmark your digital accessibility activities against other organisations, gain valuable insights into common issues in inclusion, and give you ideas for improvements you can make.

Get your copy of our full 2024 survey Attitudes to Digital Accessibility report:

Download the survey report

 

The report is available as a detailed report in Word, or a summary PDF download.

Find out more about the survey results report methodology.

Contact Annie Mannion at AbilityNet for questions about the report.

Interpretations from industry professionals

We shared the summary of our 2024 findings with key accessibility professionals across a range of sectors, including travel and tourism, higher education and the technology sector, for an insider's point of view of what actions could or should be taken in response:

Heather Hepburn, smiling"Although we’re seeing a slight increase in understanding of digital accessibility, over half the respondents are still stating a lack of skills and experience as one of the main barriers. We need better solutions to improve capability that are relevant and effective. And we need to get accessibility built into higher education courses to close this massive knowledge gap, so that design and computer science graduates enter the workforce with an inbuilt understanding. With the European Accessibility Act (EAA) date fast approaching and affecting so many organisations in the travel industry, it’s imperative we start building better capability right now." - Heather Hepburn, Head of Accessibility, Skyscanner
Christopher Patnoe, smiling"It's encouraging to see improvement in business/brand motivators. Once one recognises that inclusion betters your business, because of regulation, competition, or innovation, it becomes far easier to "shift left" the efforts on making their products or culture more inclusive. Inclusion is still too hard and often undervalued, but recognising and embracing the wins allows us to build confidence and momentum into our common goal - a more accessible world, one free from barriers." - Christopher Patnoe, Head of EMEA Accessibility and Disability Inclusion, Google
Julian Tenney profile photo"Two-thirds of respondents still do not feel very confident in their understanding of digital accessibility. Training remains an issue, with fewer than one-in-six participants strongly agreeing that their institutions help individuals to develop the necessary skills for digital accessibility... Six years on from the introduction of Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations (PSBAR), the sector has much to do in order to fulfil its responsibilities to disabled students." - Julian Tenney, Learning Content Team Leader, University of Nottingham

Lack of understanding of European Accessibility Act

In this year’s survey, in addition to questions about motivations and barriers to delivering digital accessibility, we also asked questions about topical developments within inclusion, including the European Accessibility Act (EAA).

Globe showing EuropeThe EAA applies to any business that wishes to trade in the EU, wherever they are based. As mentioned above, 45% of respondents were unsure if the EAA applied to their organisation. 13% of respondents told us their organisation will not be affected.

Just over 1 in 5 of respondents told us their organisation is educating staff about the EAA: 17% are updating accessibility statements.

A smaller percentage of respondents are talking to internal teams about it:

  • 16% will be talking to product teams about the requirements of the EAA
  • 16% are talking to their legal team

Barriers to delivering accessibility

3 quote responses about what would make it easier for you in your role to improve digital accessibility? Answers included in body text

Training is needed to tackle a lack of understanding and awareness, which is perceived as the biggest barrier to progress on accessibility and something that would make the respondent’s role easier.

Respondents noted specifically that mandatory training was needed, potentially highlighting that pre-existing elective training is not embedding digital accessibility enough.

Here is a selection of responses to being asked: What would make it easier for you in your role to improve digital accessibility?:

  • "There's some really good training available within the organisation - but no real means to task individuals to engage with the training; it's all too 'elective."
  • "Support from senior management to include core or mandatory training."
  • "Training for everyone is important. Just having the opportunity to take an eLearning course is not going to achieve that. It needs to be mandatory. Accessibility would be a great topic to add to onboarding."
Group of people sitting around table in office environmentLooking for training for your whole team? 
Enjoy affordable high-quality training to help you build skills in accessibility and inclusive design: Download a training catalogue of all courses.
Explore eLearning modules about accessibility and inclusion training or request a quote for your team training needs.

Star on the end of a wooden stick like a wandWave a magic wand for 2025!

Digital accessibility delivery barriers may not be overcome instantly, especially in the current climate of squeezed budgets.

However, many other barriers and ‘wants’ as highlighted by respondents can help to understand what will improve digital accessibility delivery.

By far the most popular answer when people were asked: 'If you could wave a magic wand, what one thing would help your organisation deliver digital accessibility in all your products and services?' was to ask for more resources.

Number of people who responded 'If you could wave a magic wand, what one thing would help your organisation deliver digital accessibility in all your products and services?':

  • Resources: 74
  • Digital accessibility processes: 41
  • Awareness and knowledge: 37
  • Prioritisation and importance: 31
  • Training and education: 27
  • Specific job role or team: 25
  • Software and tools: 20
  • Expertise: 18
  • Senior buy in and leadership: 17
  • Compliance: 8
  • Embedded into roles: 5
  • Hiring more disabled employees: 4

What will your organisation do to address this need? The time to act is now!

Get your copy of our full 2024 survey Attitudes to Digital Accessibility report:

Download the survey report

 

Graphic showing a file and four icons: a lightbulb, a magnifying glass, a target and a graphAbilityNet's Digital Accessibility Maturity Model
Understand how well your organisation is doing with digital accessibility by using AbilityNet's Digital Accessibility Maturity Model. This simple, five-part model helps build a picture of current strengths and weaknesses and identify a roadmap for next steps and improvements. It uses a tried and tested approach to create a roadmap for your accessibility strategy.
Download your free toolkit from our website to use it yourself. ​You can also pay AbilityNet to help you complete the process.​ Contact us for a chat

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