A new survey from Applause has found that 84% of organisations now prioritise digital accessibility, with most preparing to comply with the European Accessibility Act (EAA) coming into force in June.
The State of Digital Quality in Accessibility survey gathered responses from more than 1,500 developers, engineers, and professionals in quality assurance, user experience, and legal sectors. The findings highlight that 94% of organisations are taking steps to meet the EAA deadline, a significant increase from 58% reported in the previous year.
Digital accessibility ensures websites, mobile applications, and other online services are usable by everyone, including people with disabilities (PWD). In terms of development approach, 86% of respondents said they now incorporate inclusive design principles at the initial planning stage of new products and services. This demonstrates a shift towards considering accessibility from the outset rather than as an afterthought.
Despite these advances, many organisations face ongoing challenges. The survey found that although 80% of organisations have designated roles or teams responsible for accessibility—a figure up from 52% in 2022—68% reported lacking the expertise and resources required for comprehensive, independent accessibility testing. Furthermore, 48% either do not have, or are unsure if they have, processes in place to prevent the release of inaccessible features into live production environments.
Notably, only one-third of organisations directly engage PWD in efforts to improve digital accessibility. This lack of direct input may contribute to common issues still found in digital products, such as videos without captions, which was cited by 32% of respondents, incompatibility with screen readers (30%), and non-descriptive error alerts (27%).
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into the development process, its role in accessibility is growing. The survey reported that 47% believe AI is already adding value to accessibility testing, while a further 37% expect significant benefits within the next two years. However, only half of the organisations testing AI and generative AI products currently involve underrepresented viewpoints, including those of PWD, in the testing process, potentially introducing bias in outcomes.
Looking ahead, 40% of organisations plan to use AI methods to address accessibility issues, although 31% remain uncertain about potential AI use in this area. Automated tools are also gaining traction, with 59% using or planning to use them; these tools are estimated to be capable of identifying up to 40% of accessibility issues.
Compliance with accessibility standards is an area of growing attention. While the EAA does not directly apply to the UK, it affects UK businesses that sell products or services in the European Union. According to the survey, 54% of companies currently meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 standards, marking a 24% increase since 2022. Additionally, 70% of participants were aware of their organisation's WCAG 2.2 compliance status, up from 58% last year.
Bob Farrell, Vice President, Solution Delivery & Accessibility at Applause, commented on the survey results, stating: "Our latest survey reveals an increasingly inclusive mindset among the software development community. Organisations want to optimise digital experiences for all users – not just check the compliance box, though the upcoming EAA deadline is certainly on their radar. Organisations are creating dedicated teams to help ensure digital experiences are inclusive – but unless they have access to testing experts and end users with disabilities for feedback, it will be a significant challenge achieving this goal. Ultimately, they want to give all customers an amazing experience that lives up to their high standards for digital quality – ensuring usability for all."
The survey underscores the increasing importance of accessibility in digital product development but also highlights persistent gaps in expertise, testing processes, and user involvement, especially as organisations seek to integrate new technologies and meet evolving regulatory requirements.
