Website Accessibility Explained

Website accessibility is something many business owners only start searching for when it comes up unexpectedly, such as in a grant application, a procurement checklist, a complaint, or a quiet concern that their website might not be compliant.

Common searches include:

• Do I need website accessibility in Ireland?
• Is accessibility a legal requirement for small businesses?
• What does website accessibility actually mean?

This article focuses first on the problem and responsibility, in plain English, before looking at practical ways businesses deal with accessibility in the real world.

Quick answers to common website accessibility questions

What is website accessibility?

Making sure your website can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities.

Is website accessibility a legal requirement?

In some cases yes, and expectations are increasing across public-facing websites.

Does accessibility apply to small businesses?

Yes. Size doesn’t automatically exempt a website.

What matters more is what the website does.

What is website accessibility?

Website accessibility means designing and building a website so it can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities.

This includes people who:

• Use screen readers because they are blind or visually impaired
• Navigate using a keyboard instead of a mouse
• Have colour‑blindness or low vision
• Have hearing impairments
• Have cognitive or neurological differences

An accessible website allows users to read content, navigate pages, fill out forms, and complete actions without unnecessary barriers.

What are common accessibility problems on websites?

Some of the most frequent issues include:

• Missing or incorrect image alternative text
• Poor colour contrast between text and backgrounds
• Forms that cannot be used with a keyboard
• Headings used for styling instead of structure
• Buttons and links that are unclear to screen readers
• Navigation that relies on hover or mouse actions only

Many of these issues are invisible to the site owner, but obvious to assistive technology.

Can’t accessibility be fixed with a plugin?

Partially — but not fully.

Automated tools can help identify issues and provide user controls, but automation alone cannot fix all accessibility problems.

True accessibility requires:

• Ongoing scanning
• Human review
• Manual remediation of complex issues
• Continuous monitoring as content changes

This is where professional accessibility services come in.

What is AudioEye?

A service that helps monitor, fix, and maintain website accessibility over time.

If you want the detail behind those answers, read on.

How do businesses deal with accessibility in practice?

Most businesses do not intentionally exclude anyone. Accessibility issues usually exist because:

• The website was built quickly
• Accessibility was not discussed at the time
• The platform or theme had limitations

In practice, businesses usually address accessibility in one of three ways:

1. Improve accessibility during website updates
   Accessibility is considered when pages, content, and features are updated or rebuilt.
2. Use accessibility tools and services
   Third‑party services can help monitor, identify, and remediate accessibility issues over time.
3. Combine both approaches
   A well‑built website supported by ongoing accessibility monitoring.

Do small Irish businesses need website accessibility?

If a website is public‑facing and provides information, services, or enquiries, accessibility should be considered regardless of business size.

Is website accessibility a legal requirement in Ireland?

Expectations are increasing, particularly for public, health, education, and community‑focused organisations.

 How accessibility requirements depend on what your website does

🟢 Lower legal risk (most SME brochure websites)

If your website is mainly used for:

• Informational content (services, gallery, contact details)
• Lead generation only (contact form, email, phone)
• Quotation requests handled offline
• Bespoke B2B work without online checkout

These types of sites are not currently subject to a strict legal requirement in Ireland to meet full WCAG 2.1 AA standards.

This applies to the majority of brochure-style SME websites, including many 3D printing and custom manufacturing businesses.

🟠 Grey area / increasing risk

If your website includes:

• Online quotation tools
• File uploads for processing
• Booking systems
• Customer portals
• Partial online ordering (even where payment happens offline)

These sites may fall within the scope of the European Accessibility Act, depending on how the service is delivered digitally.

At present, the risk here is practical rather than aggressively enforced, but expectations are clearly moving in this direction.

🔴 Higher risk / likely required

If your website:

• Takes online payments
• Sells products or services directly (e-commerce)
• Delivers a digital service end-to-end
• Is consumer-facing rather than bespoke B2B only

Then accessibility obligations are likely to apply under the European Accessibility Act, which applies from 28/06/2025.

Important note

Accessibility law does not currently say that all websites must be accessible.
It focuses on digital services and transactions, not simple online presence.

Can accessibility issues appear over time?

Yes. Content changes, new pages, and new features can introduce issues.

Is accessibility only about disabilities?

No. Many accessibility improvements also improve usability for all users.

This article is intended as general guidance, not legal advice.