WCAG 2.2 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) means accessibility law change – is your association compliant in 2025?

Are you an organisation within the public sector? 

We’ve previously written about WCAG back in October 2020 (What are the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)? but as of June 2025, public sector organisations in the UK must adhere to stricter accessibility requirements for their websites and mobile apps. This shift comes in response to updates in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2) and a broader push for stronger enforcement around digital inclusion. 

The pressure on organisations is growing, and failure to comply could result in significant reputational damage as well as legal consequences. If your website or app isn’t fully accessible, now is the time to take action. 

This law change will impact many membership associations, so we thought to deep dive into it and ensure you feel ready and prepared for this change. 

What’s changed in the 2025 WCAG 2.2 accessibility law?

While public sector bodies have long been expected to meet accessibility standards, the expectations have now increased significantly. With the adoption of WCAG 2.2 as the new benchmark, there is a heightened focus on cognitive accessibility and mobile usability.

The updated requirements introduce specific changes, including:

• stricter rules around keyboard navigation
• more defined target sizes for buttons and links
• better error prevention in forms. 

In addition, compliance is no longer seen as a one-off task. Instead, there is a clear emphasis on:

• regular audits
• continuous updates
• and long-term monitoring to maintain accessibility over time.

You can find the official guidance on the government website:
gov.uk/accessibility-requirements

Why does accessibility in digital spaces matter more now? 

Accessibility is about much more than meeting legal requirements. For public services, it represents a commitment to equity, trust, and social responsibility. With approximately 1 in 5 people in the UK living with a disability, accessible digital services are essential to ensuring that everyone can access and engage with public services independently.

Moreover, accessibility improvements benefit all users, not just those with disabilities. Features designed with accessibility in mind often enhance the overall user experience, especially for mobile users and older adults. By taking a proactive approach to compliance, organisations demonstrate their dedication to digital inclusion and a more user-focused service delivery mode which in turn will be rewarded with satisfaction, better SEO and possible commitment from members. 

Do you have an accessibility statement at the ready? What does WCAG 2.2 compliance involve?

To meet the new standards, public sector organisations must demonstrate full compliance with WCAG 2.2 Level AA guidelines. This means passing accessibility tests that evaluate both technical implementation and user experience.

Organisations are also required to publish and maintain an accessibility statement, ensuring that users are informed about the level of accessibility and ongoing efforts. Furthermore, every new update, feature, or piece of content must be designed with accessibility in mind from the outset. Regular accessibility audits are essential to identify and resolve issues before they become barriers for users.

Some of the features required for compliance include: 

• clear focus indicators to aid navigation
• minimum target sizes for interactive elements
• the removal of hover-only interactions
• helpful error suggestions for form inputs

What does WCAG 2.2 mean for BrightMinded and your membership organisation?

At BrightMinded, we approach accessibility not as a secondary concern but as a fundamental aspect of everything we design and build. We have worked closely with a range of public sector organisations to develop, test, and maintain websites and apps that fully meet modern accessibility standards.

Our process is built around WCAG 2.2 from the very beginning. We ensure that all of our work is accessible by default, rather than applying fixes after the fact. This includes not only technical implementation but also real-user testing to capture the full spectrum of experiences. In addition, we provide ongoing support, training, and documentation to help our clients maintain accessibility over the long term.

We believe that compliance should lead to genuinely inclusive digital experiences, and we’re proud to help organisations achieve that goal through thoughtful, accessibility-first development.