Whilst the WCAG is a framework (see this article for details) rather than a legal requirement, many countries have referenced WCAG in their equality laws, many of which carry significant financial penalties for organisations providing inaccessible web content.

The accessibility of UK web content is covered by the Equality Act 2010. This protects all individuals from unfair treatment and promotes a fair and more equal society. Content providers (which includes a market research agency running web surveys for clients) are required to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to make their content accessible to people with disabilities. The act requires service providers to anticipate the needs of potential disabled customers for reasonable adjustments.

Given that the Government has adopted the WCAG 2.1 level AA as a suitable standard for public sector web content (see below) and it is more broadly recognised as a ‘good’ approach, any content which meets these guidelines would have a very strong defence against any legal action. 

The following public sector organisations have to comply with WCAG 2.1 at level AA

• Central and local government organisations
• Many charities
• Non-government organisations mostly financed by public funding
• Non-government organisations providing services that are essential to the public or aimed at people with a disability

In the US there are no specific laws that relate to the accessibility of web content, but they are covered under the Americans Disability Act (ADA) Title III. Like the UK's Equality Act, this covers all types of disability discrimination in businesses open to the public. 

Over the past few years there has been an increase in the number of ADA Title III lawsuits against companies and so US clients will be increasingly referencing accessibility in their RfPs and Scope of Work documents to protect themselves. And although compliance with the WCAG guidelines is not written into US law, as in the UK, it will provide a good defence against ADA Title III lawsuits for web accessibility.

US Government web content (federal, state, and local) must meet Section 508 regulations. This states that all electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government be accessible to people with disabilities.

These regulations were revised in 2017 to include the WCAG 2.0 guidelines at level AA. So, meeting the WCAG 2.0 AA guidelines will meet the Section 508 requirements for web content accessibility.

The European Union (EU) Directive on the Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications requires EU member states to make sure their web content meets common accessibility standards. The directive uses the four ‘POUR’ principles of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, requiring that public sector organisations across the EU take steps to make sure their web content are “Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. So again, by meeting the WCAG 2.1 AA you will also comply with the EU Directive. 

But accessibility legislation has just got a lot tougher

To comply with the European Accessibility Act (EAA), organisations must ensure that they are taking the necessary measures to make their web content and mobile applications accessible. The deadline for compliance was June 28, 2025.

Unlike most of Europe being under the umbrella of the EU, countries such as Japan, China, South Korea, and India each retain their own accessibility policies that govern digital content.

The most specific web accessibility law in Japan is the Japanese Industrial Standards X8341-3. These standards were revised in 2010 to require compliance with WCAG guidelines.

China updated its national accessibility standards in 2019 with GB/T 37668-2019, “Information Technology Requirements and Testing Methods for Accessibility of Web Content.” These standards reference WCAG 2.0 guidelines and promote technical and policy support for the development of information accessibility throughout China.

South Korea closely follows the standards set forth in WCAG 2.0. However, the relevant policies are included in the Korean version of WCAG known as the Korean Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (KWCAG) 2.1. These guidelines contain technical specifications that require websites to be made accessible to people with disabilities. The Korean digital accessibility standards align with the success criteria Level A of the WCAG 2.0 standards.

The Indian government enacted the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPWD Act) in 2016 which provided clearer guidance for digital accessibility. Private organisations were mandated to provide digital resources that can reasonably accommodate persons with disabilities. Unlike many other international accessibility standards, the RPWD act does not specifically cite WCAG as a reference. Though conformance with WCAG is voluntary in India, organisations that violate the RPWD act face strict penalties.

Canada retains its own accessibility standards and laws. The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) are two main legal policies that deal with digital accessibility. The ACA solely mandates federal agencies to provide accessible means for all people in Canada to access information and other digital spaces.

On the other hand, the AODA, in conjunction with other provincial laws, requires digital content, mobile applications, and digital content from private businesses to be made accessible for all audiences. This act specifically references the WCAG 2.0 Level AA compliance as a guideline to ensure digital and web accessibility.

Australia’s primary disability rights law is the Disability Discrimination Act of 1992. Like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Disability Discrimination Act requires public and private organisations to make reasonable accommodations for employees and customers who have disabilities.

While the law was written before the internet was commonly used, it has been interpreted as applicable to websites and mobile apps. The Australian Human Rights Commission enforces digital accessibility in Australia, and in 2014, the commission issued guidance recommending conformance with Level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

The bottom line is that, wherever you are in the world, WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the gold standard for accessibility. Ensuring your online surveys comply with that will mean that you can tick that legal box from your client.