In the legal world, reputation and compliance are everything. While most firms take every step to ensure their contracts, client communications, and offices meet legal standards, one area often gets overlooked - website accessibility.
As legal action around WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) compliance increases, this isn’t just a matter of best practice anymore. A non-compliant website could expose your firm to discrimination claims - and the damage goes beyond financial penalties.
Accessibility and the Law: What’s at stake
Website accessibility means making your online content usable for everyone, including people with disabilities who rely on tools like screen readers, keyboard navigation, or voice commands.
Under the Equality Act 2010, all service providers - including law firms - must make “reasonable adjustments” to ensure people with disabilities can access their services. Increasingly, this applies not just to your physical premises but also to your digital presence.
In the US, ADA-related lawsuits over inaccessible websites have exploded in recent years, and similar cases are now appearing in the UK. For a profession built on upholding the law, being found non-compliant with it isn’t an ideal headline.
What non-compliance looks lke
Accessibility issues can be subtle but create real barriers for users. Common problems include:
- Missing or inaccurate alt text for images
- Poor colour contrast between text and background
- Videos without captions or transcripts
- Buttons or forms that can’t be used with a keyboard
- Confusing navigation or unclear link text
To someone with visual, hearing, or motor impairments, these aren’t small inconveniences - they can make your entire website impossible to use.
If a potential client can’t access information or make contact through your site, that could be considered unlawful discrimination.
Why this matters for Law Firms
For law firms, accessibility isn’t just a compliance issue - it’s a credibility issue. Clients expect transparency, fairness, and trustworthiness from their legal representatives. A poor digital experience can undermine that instantly.
There are also practical advantages to making your site accessible:
- Reach more clients: Roughly one in five people in the UK has a disability. Accessibility means you’re open to everyone.
- Better SEO performance: Search engines reward accessible, well-structured websites.
- Improved usability: Accessibility best practices benefit all users - making your site clearer, faster, and easier to navigate.
- Enhanced reputation: Demonstrating compliance shows your firm lives by the same standards it advises others to follow.
How to audit and fix accessibility issues
Improving accessibility doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here’s a practical roadmap:
1. Run an accessibility audit
Start with tools like WAVE, axe DevTools, or Google Lighthouse to identify basic issues. For a full assessment, commission a WCAG 2.1 AA audit to review everything from colours and layouts to keyboard navigation.
2. Check your design and content
Make sure your brand colours meet contrast standards, your images have meaningful alt text, and any videos or animations include captions or transcripts.
3. Test with real users
Include people who use assistive technologies in your testing process. Their feedback can reveal issues automated tools might miss.
4. Train your team
Ensure your content editors and marketing team know how to keep your website compliant - from writing descriptive alt text to ensuring downloadable documents are accessible.
5. Document your efforts
Publish an Accessibility Statement on your website outlining your standards, recent improvements, and how users can report accessibility barriers.
Accessibility is risk management
For law firms, accessibility is about more than compliance - it’s good business practice. Taking action now protects your firm from risk, improves your digital performance, and demonstrates a genuine commitment to inclusion.
The sooner accessibility becomes part of your digital strategy, the easier it is to maintain - and the stronger your online reputation will be.
Ready to make your website accessible?
Don’t wait for a complaint or legal challenge to uncover accessibility issues. Our team at Ascensor can help your law firm:
- Audit your website for WCAG compliance
- Identify and fix accessibility barriers
- Develop an ongoing accessibility and maintenance plan
Ensure your digital presence reflects the same professionalism and fairness you bring to your clients.
Get in touch today to book your accessibility audit and future-proof your firm’s website.
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