2025 Accessibility Insights: Creating Inclusive, Compliant, and User-focused Online Experiences

As the digital world expands, so does our responsibility to ensure it is accessible to all. In 2025, accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about creating inclusive, user-first experiences that reflect your values and future-proof your brand. To help your organization move forward with confidence, we’re sharing key insights on how digital accessibility is evolving and where to focus your efforts next.

What is Digital Accessibility?

Digital accessibility ensures that websites, applications, and content are usable by as many people as possible, including those with visual, auditory, motor, cognitive, or neurological differences. It ensures everyone can effectively perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with digital experiences.

Why does Accessibility Matter?

According to Statistics Canada's 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability (CSD), over 8 million Canadians aged 15 and older—representing 27% of the population—identify as having at least one disability. Among them, approximately 1.4 million (17%) encountered one or more barriers to accessibility while using the Internet for various online activities at least some of the time in the previous year.

Of the nearly 1.2 million Canadians with disabilities who did not use the Internet for personal purposes during that period, the most common reasons were:

• “No need, no interest, or no time” (43%)
• “Too difficult to use the Internet” (34%)

Other reported reasons included:

• “Limited due to health condition” (13%)
• “Cost of service or equipment” (10%)
• “No Internet-ready device available in the home” (9%)
• “Limited or no access to Internet” (6%)

While digital accessibility is a legal requirement in many regions, its importance goes beyond compliance. At its core, accessibility is about inclusivity—ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability or circumstance, can access and engage with your digital content. Designing with accessibility in mind not only benefits people with disabilities but also improves the user experience for everyone, including those using mobile devices, accessing content in low-bandwidth areas, or navigating everyday distractions like noisy environments or glare-filled screens.

From Reactive to Proactive: The Next Phase of Accessibility

In 2022, we shared advice for improving website accessibility—from headings and alt text to video captions and hyperlink clarity. While those best practices remain essential, the landscape of digital accessibility continues to evolve.

Three years later, accessibility is no longer a “nice to have” or checkbox on a compliance list; it’s an expected standard. As awareness grows and new legislation rolls out across Canada, the U.S., and Europe, accessibility is becoming a cornerstone of smart digital strategy.

So, what’s next in 2025? The following insights explore trends shaping the future of accessibility.

1. Beyond Compliance: Accessibility as Brand Experience

Accessibility is no longer siloed within IT departments. It's a brand differentiator that builds trust, strengthens reputation, and fosters loyalty. Inaccessible digital experiences send a clear, if unintended, message: not all users matter. By contrast, brands that champion accessibility build stronger relationships and long-term loyalty. When users feel seen, supported, and empowered to interact without barriers, it creates a positive, lasting impression.

2025 Recommendations

Make accessibility part of your brand voice and client experience strategy. Integrate it into every stage of your digital workflow—design reviews, development, content creation, and quality assurance audits. Ensure your entire team is trained in accessibility and make it a shared responsibility across departments, from marketing to UX to leadership.

2. WCAG 2.2 and the Path to WCAG 3.0

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), created by the W3C , provide the international standard for digital accessibility. Since their inception in 1999, WCAG updates (most recently 2.2 in 2023) have shaped accessibility laws worldwide.

Looking ahead, WCAG 3.0 is in development and aims to offer a more flexible, holistic framework that better supports a broader range of disabilities and modern digital experiences.

Built around the principles of content being Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR), WCAG helps organizations create digital experiences that are inclusive, usable, and legally compliant.

WCAG 3.0: What’s Coming?

Currently in draft form, WCAG 3.0 aims to be more flexible and user-focused. Some potential advances include:

• A focus on holistic user experiences over technical checklists.
• Implementation of a scoring system instead of pass/fail results.
• More inclusive guidance on cognitive and emerging tech (e.g., AI, UX).
• Encouraging tiered conformance based on scoring (e.g. Bronze, Silver, Gold designations).

While the full release of WCAG 3.0 is still a few years away, organizations are encouraged to familiarize themselves with its terminology and structure to ensure their sites are set up for seamless future success.

For more information, visit WCAG 3.0 Introduction.

3. Accessibility and AI: Progress or Pitfall?

AI tools are becoming more deeply embedded in web development and content creation, from writing copy and generating image descriptions to building entire website layouts. While this can streamline workflows and improve efficiency, relying solely on AI to manage accessibility can lead to unintended consequences.

AI-generated websites and accessibility plugins may offer quick wins like automated contrast adjustments or alt text generation. Still, they often lack the context, nuance, and empathy to ensure a truly inclusive experience. For example, auto-generated alt text can be vague, inaccurate, or confusing rather than clarifying.

2025 Best Practices

Use AI to assist, not replace, human judgment. It can speed up accessibility efforts, but it cannot replace the need for human oversight. Always review AI-generated content with accessibility best practices in mind, and test with real users whenever possible. The most inclusive digital experiences are still the result of intentional, thoughtful design by humans who understand the diversity of user needs.

4. Inclusive Content Strategy Is Now Non-Negotiable

In 2025, accessibility isn’t just about code but communication. Many user barriers aren’t due to technical design, but the content itself. Overly complex language, walls of unstructured text, inaccessible visuals, or unclear links can all create friction for users with cognitive, visual, or learning disabilities.

An inclusive content strategy ensures that your digital experiences are understandable, respectful, and valuable to all, improving usability for everyone.

2025 Content Tips

• Write in plain language. Use short sentences, everyday words, and clear explanations.
• Use inclusive and respectful language that reflects diverse audiences.
• Never rely on visuals alone to communicate key information.
• Organize content using logical structure: clear headings, bullet points, and descriptive hyperlinks (e.g., “Download the accessibility guide” vs. “Click here”).
• Be mindful of contrast ratios between text and background, especially for text embedded in images or buttons.

5. Mobile-First Accessibility and Inclusive Testing

As mobile usage surpasses desktop, accessibility strategies must follow suit. Many audits still emphasize desktop experience, yet more than half of users now access websites via mobile devices. Designing for accessibility means ensuring larger tap targets, screen reader-friendly menus, accessible navigation drawers, and good contrast in bright environments—all tailored for mobile interaction.

But meeting mobile accessibility isn’t just about responsive design—it’s about real-world usability. While tools like Siteimprove, Axe, and WAVE remain useful for catching technical issues, they can’t account for the nuances of human experience.

2025 Strategy

• Make accessibility mobile-first, not mobile-friendly.
• Go beyond automated testing and incorporate usability testing with real users who rely on assistive technologies like screen readers or switch controls.
• Where possible, include individuals with motor impairments, cognitive differences, and low vision in your audits.

Test Your Site with a Screen Reader

Use your phone’s built-in screen reader (e.g., VoiceOver or TalkBack) to navigate your site. Is it intuitive? Are all interactive elements accessible by touch or voice?

By combining mobile accessibility with inclusive testing, you’ll uncover barriers automation can’t detect—and build digital experiences that truly work for everyone.

6. Accessibility and the Legal Landscape

Digital accessibility is not just a best practice; it’s a legal requirement. As global awareness grows, so does the regulatory landscape, holding organizations accountable for inclusive digital design.

Failing to meet digital accessibility standards affects user experience and can carry serious legal consequences. Penalties vary depending on regional regulations, but many jurisdictions have enacted laws with enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance. Whether you're a public institution or a private enterprise, ensuring your website is accessible can help you avoid legal risks and build a more trusted brand.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

In Ontario, under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), organizations can face significant fines if they fail to meet accessibility requirements:

• Individuals may be fined up to $50,000 per day for each day the violation continues.
• Corporations may be fined up to $100,000 per day.
• Directors and officers of a corporation can be held personally liable if they fail to take reasonable steps to ensure compliance.

Similar laws exist in other jurisdictions, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the U.S., which has increasingly been applied to digital spaces, including websites and mobile apps.

Recent Web Accessibility Lawsuits

High-profile lawsuits in recent years highlight the growing legal risks for organizations that fail to make their digital platforms accessible:

• Nike (2017): The company faced legal action over its websites, nike.com and converse.com, which were inaccessible to visually impaired users relying on screen readers.
• Beyoncé Knowles / Parkwood Entertainment (2019): A class-action lawsuit alleged that Beyoncé.com lacked alternative text for images, had inaccessible drop-down menus, and failed to meet basic accessibility standards.
• Domino’s Pizza (2019): A blind user sued Domino’s after being unable to order food through the company’s website and mobile app despite using screen-reading software. The case went to the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to hear Domino’s appeal, setting a precedent for the applicability of the ADA to digital platforms.
• KitchenAid/Whirlpool Corporation (2023): The company faced legal action after its website was found to be inaccessible to users with visual impairments, further emphasizing the need for inclusive design in e-commerce.

Common Legal Frameworks

Organizations should familiarize themselves not only with accessibility best practices, but also the legal frameworks applicable in their specific jurisdiction. We suggest being familiar with the following acts and standards based on your company’s region of operation.

Canada

• Accessible Canada Act (ACA): Enacted in 2019, the ACA aims to create a barrier-free Canada by 2040. It mandates that organizations under federal jurisdiction, such as banks and telecommunications companies, develop accessibility plans and comply with WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards.
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA): It requires Ontario's public and private sector organizations to make their websites accessible and align with WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards.
• Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA): Similar to AODA, the AMA mandates accessibility standards for organizations in Manitoba, including digital accessibility.
• Nova Scotia Accessibility Act: Applies to public sector bodies and aims to develop accessibility standards, including information and communication technologies.
• British Columbia Accessibility Act: Proposed legislation to improve accessibility, including digital spaces, within the province.
• EN 301 549: In 2024, Canada adopted this European standard as CAN/ASC–EN 301 549:2024, setting requirements for ICT accessibility.

United States

• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Prohibits discrimination based on disability, with courts increasingly interpreting it to apply to websites and digital content.
• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act: Requires federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities.

European Union

• EN 301 549: Establishes accessibility requirements for ICT products and services, serving as a benchmark for digital accessibility across EU member states.

2025 Insight

Regulatory bodies are intensifying their focus on digital accessibility and lawsuits related to inaccessible websites continue to rise. However, this isn't solely about avoiding penalties; it's about fostering inclusivity and demonstrating commitment to all users.

The Business Case for Accessibility

Accessible websites are not only compliant—they're smarter. Benefits include: 

• Enhanced SEO: Search engines favour accessible websites, improving visibility.
• Wider Audience Reach: Inclusive design caters to a broader user base, including individuals with disabilities and those using various devices.
• Positive Brand Reputation: Demonstrating social responsibility enhances brand image and customer loyalty.

7. Broader Digital Accessibility: Beyond the Website

When discussing accessibility, the conversation often starts—and stops—with websites. But truly inclusive digital experiences go further. Accessibility must extend across every digital touchpoint your organization creates and shares.

Beyond the Browser

In 2025, users will engage with brands across various platforms, not just websites. To be truly inclusive, digital accessibility efforts must extend across all content formats and communication channels. Here’s how to build accessibility into your broader digital strategy:

• Mobile and web apps: Native apps should be compatible with assistive technologies such as screen readers and switch controls. Follow mobile-specific accessibility guidelines (like WCAG and platform-specific standards) to ensure usability on all devices.
• Documents: PDFs, PowerPoint decks, and Word files must be appropriately structured with headings, tagged reading order, alt text for images, and sufficient contrast to ensure they are readable with assistive technologies.
• Multimedia: Videos and podcasts should include synchronized captions, transcripts, and, where appropriate, audio descriptions to ensure users who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have cognitive disabilities can fully engage with the content.
• Social media: Platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) offer accessibility features such as alt text for images, caption support for videos, and camel case for hashtags (e.g., #AccessibilityMatters). Make use of these features to promote inclusive engagement.
• Email: Accessible emails are essential for reaching all users. Use semantic HTML to ensure compatibility with screen readers, maintain a clear and consistent structure (including headings and proper use of lists), and avoid relying on images alone to convey critical information. Include descriptive alt text, ensure colour contrast, and use readable fonts. Avoid embedding important text in images and provide sufficient spacing and tappable areas for users on mobile or with motor impairments.

Tools That Enable Access

Many people rely on assistive technologies to navigate digital environments. Your content must work seamlessly with tools like:

• Screen readers (e.g., JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver): Convert text into speech or Braille for blind or low-vision users.
• Keyboard navigation: This is essential for users who cannot use a mouse. Every action should be accessible via the tab, arrow, and enter keys.
• Voice recognition software (e.g., Dragon NaturallySpeaking): This software enables users with limited mobility to control devices with spoken commands.
• Screen magnifiers and high-contrast modes: Help low-vision users perceive content more easily.

Designing with these tools in mind improves usability for everyone, not just those who depend on them, and reduces friction across various environments and devices.

2025 Recommendation

Audit ALL your digital assets for accessibility barriers. Automated tools are used to catch quick wins, but manual testing across different formats and devices backs them up.

Looking Forward: Accessibility Is a Mindset, Not a Milestone

Improving accessibility isn’t a one-time endeavour; it’s an ongoing commitment to inclusion, usability, and digital equity. Technology, laws, and tools will continue to evolve, but your commitment to inclusivity must be continuous. It’s not just about avoiding legal consequences; it’s about building digital spaces that welcome everyone.

If you're looking to take your website to the next level of accessibility—or aren’t sure where to start—consider these first steps:

• Conduct an accessibility audit to identify barriers in your current digital experience.
• Prioritize fixes based on real user impact, focusing on high-traffic pages and essential tasks.
• Train your team—designers, developers, and content creators—so accessibility becomes a shared responsibility.
• Make accessibility part of your ongoing process, not a one-time fix, with regular testing and updates.

At Cubicle Fugitive, we help organizations build accessible, inclusive, and strategically sound digital experiences—from accessibility audits and inclusive website design to training and compliance. Whether you need guidance on where to start or support in elevating your current efforts, we’re here to help. Reach out and let’s create inclusive digital experiences—together.