What is a web accessibility audit and do you need one for your website?

In this article we cover what is a web accessibility audit, why it's necessary, and how it contributes to your organisations overall commitment to accessibility online.

What is a Web Accessibility Audit?

An accessibility audit is a detailed review of a website to find out whether it meets the needs of people with disabilities, conforms to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) guidelines, and satisfies technical accessibility standards.

Why undertake an audit?

• Identify barriers that prevent some users accessing your content or completing tasks on your website
  
• Evaluate your level of compliance with legal requirements and universally accepted technical requirements such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
• Determine the level of effort to fix the accessibility issues are create a roadmap towards a fully accessible website
• Understand the resources and costs involved
  

What are my legal obligations regards website accessibility?

The European Accessibility Act and the EU Web Accessibility Directive was passed into law in September 2020. The legislation currently applies to all public sector websites and to organisations who receive more than 50% of their income from Government funding.

From 28 June 2025 all websites must be accessible. Drawdown of government funding, and supply of services to the public sector after this date will likely require proof of your website accessibility status. 

Website accessibility remediation can typically take many months rather than weeks, it is strongly recommend to start the process as soon as possible to ensure compliance ahead of the June 2025 deadline. 

How to get started

If you are ready to make an accessibly commitment, an accessibility audit is the first step to making your organisation's website is digitally accessible. Path can offer this service based on each clients requirements. Get in touch to find out more.

An accessibility audit will provide you with:

• An evaluation of level of compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
• A report identifying the barriers and suggestions of how to fix these
• Validation of areas of the website that already meet accessibility standards
• A roadmap with recommendations and priorities to update the website to be fully accessible

To find our more about our Web Accessibility Services contact hello@path.ie or call Karen at 01 6799212.