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Accessibility Industry Update: November 2024

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October was packed with accessibility-related updates, from conferences like A11Y Toronto, WordPress Accessibility Day and M-Enabling Summit, to enhancements from the web accessibility initiative’s guidance on WCAG as it pertains to information and communication technology. 

Insights from AbilityNet’s Attitudes on Digital Accessibility survey were released, revealing major gaps in accessibility prioritization and skills as legal compliance remains a top concern. Apple dropped iOS 18.1, which is the first version that allows the public to experience an over-the-counter hearing aid feature. 

Dive into this edition to explore how these developments impact our collective push toward a more inclusive digital future. 

As always, let us know if you think we’ve missed something, or share the link with your colleagues or partners who may benefit from some or all of this information. You can also sign up to receive these accessibility updates via email.

Contents:

Enhanced Guidance on Applying WCAG 2 to Non-Web Information and Communications Technologies (WCAG2ICT) 

The WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative) updated their WCAG2ICT to include success criteria from WCAG 2.1 and 2.2. 

What is WCAG2ICT? WCAG2ICT, better known as Guidance on Applying WCAG 2 to Non-Web Information and Communications Technologies (first published in 2013) describes how to use the web content accessibility guidelines to evaluate the accessibility of documents and software applications. It outlines these recommendations in the same format as the WCAG, without deviating from the POUR principles (perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust). 

This is an important update, as standards like EN 301 549 and Section 508 now look to the WCAG ICT to define exceptions and requirements for non-web contexts. The widespread recommendation has been to aim for conformance with WCAG 2.1 or 2.2, but the ICT only covered up to 2.0. 

A Quick Update on the European Accessibility Act (EAA) 

Two major pieces of insight surfaced this month: 

  • In the AbilityNet Attitudes to Digital Accessibility 2024 survey report (covered in greater detail below), half of nearly 500 respondents whose jobs are directly impacted by accessibility did not know whether the EAA applied to them, signaling an increased need for clarity as deadlines edge ever closer. Not surprisingly, the most widely cited reason to get started continues to be the looming threat of legal noncompliance. There is some concern that a heightened focus on avoiding litigation will cause organizations to miss the wider point by sticking to the bare minimum. 
  • From an article published by Irish Tech News, 6 Out of 10 Irish businesses are not ready for new accessibility rules under the European Accessibility Act. Ireland is one of the only member states in the EU that lists jailtime and imprisonment as two potential consequences of noncompliance. 

As a reminder, companies headquartered in or that do business in the EU have until June of 2025 to make sure their applications and websites are usable by people with cognitive and physical impairments. If they don’t, they may be on the hook for a variety of legal, financial, and reputational penalties. 

Attitudes to Digital Accessibility 2024 Results are Out 

AbilityNet sends out a yearly survey to solicit crowdsourced feedback on views about the digital accessibility landscape. Anyone whose job directly involves designing, developing, leading, and planning for accessible experiences is eligible and encouraged to contribute. The results are then compiled into a report and distributed publicly. 

Findings from 2024 are finally in. Briefly: 

  • In 2024, none of the respondents rated digital accessibility as a “very high priority,” compared to 10% in 2023. The percentage of those who consider it a “low priority” increased from 14.4% in 2023 to 19.83% in 2024. 
  • 52.3% of respondents cited budget constraints as a major barrier. Other barriers include competing priorities and insufficient resources, such as time and staff. 
  • Over half of respondents, 55%, mentioned a lack of internal skills or experience as a significant obstacle. Less than a third of organizations provide general digital accessibility training for all staff. 
  • 45.2% of respondents were unsure if the EAA applies to their organization, and 13.9% said it does not. Legal requirements are a strong motivator, with 72.4% citing compliance as their primary reason for prioritizing accessibility. 
  • 33% of respondents reported a lack of senior involvement in accessibility efforts. Senior support varies, with non-senior advocates often struggling to gain buy-in. 
  • Protecting brand reputation was important to 48.1% of respondents, an increase from 35.9% in 2023. Legal compliance motivations rose from 63.5% in 2023 to 72.4% in 2024. 
  • 22.3% believe AI will positively impact digital accessibility, while 6.2% foresee a negative impact. The percentage of those uncertain decreased from 21% in 2023 to 12.4% in 2024. 
  • 74 respondents cited the need for increased resources, including budget, staff, and time. 
  • 41 responses mentioned the importance of embedding accessibility into processes. 
  • 37 responses called for improved awareness and knowledge across organizations. 
  • 31 responses stressed the need for prioritization and leadership support. 

For more numbers, feel free to download the summarized and full reports here. 

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