19 March 2025
Accessibility in UX: the increasing emphasis on making localized experiences accessible to all users
When a company is considering developing its digital content, accessibility and user experience (UX) must be considered carefully. Accessibility refers to the practice of designing digital platforms, such as websites, applications, and other online tools, to ensure they can be used by individuals with diverse abilities, including those with disabilities. User experience (UX) focuses on creating interfaces and interactions that are intuitive, efficient, and enjoyable for all users. Together, these concepts play a critical role in shaping how people engage with a company’s digital content.
As digital platforms increasingly cater to specific regions, languages, and cultural contexts, the importance of accessibility in localized content has grown. Localized content must not only address linguistic and cultural nuances but also ensure that it is usable by individuals with varying needs. This shift is being driven by the principles of inclusive design, which aim to create products and experiences that accommodate the widest possible range of users, as well as stricter accessibility regulations that hold organizations accountable for providing equitable access.
Let’s take a look at how accessibility and UX intersect in the context of localized digital content, and explore the challenges of making localized content accessible, as well as the role of inclusive design, in addressing these challenges.
In 2025, accessibility is a key focus for businesses, governments, and organizations, driven by legal requirements and evolving user needs. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a significant regulatory force, mandating compliance with accessibility standards across various sectors.
Businesses must ensure their digital platforms meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), integrate accessibility features into products such as ATMs and smartphones, and make online services, including banking and transportation apps, accessible to all users. These regulations aim to create a more inclusive environment for individuals with disabilities, ensuring equal access to digital and physical services.
Technological advancements are also shaping accessibility trends. Artificial intelligence (AI) is enabling adaptive interfaces that adjust to user behaviour, benefiting individuals with cognitive or learning disabilities.
Machine learning is being used to create dynamic layouts and personalized content, enhancing user experiences. Voice user interfaces (VUI) are becoming essential tools for users with mobility impairments or those who face challenges with traditional input methods. Additionally, virtual reality (VR) is being utilized for storytelling and engagement, while compatibility with assistive technologies, such as speech recognition software, is a growing priority for digital products and services.
Organizations are adopting strategies to embed accessibility into their operations. Inclusive design principles are being prioritized, ensuring accessibility is considered throughout the development process rather than as an afterthought. Leadership roles, such as accessibility leads, are being created to champion these initiatives, supported by senior-level sponsorship to foster a culture of inclusivity.
Companies are also investing in training programs to build internal expertise in accessible design and updating procurement policies to include accessibility criteria. These efforts aim to create sustainable and impactful accessibility practices across industries.
The public and nonprofit sectors are advancing accessibility efforts too. Public sector websites are focusing on clear navigation and logical design to ensure usability for all users. Nonprofits are incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives into their policies, emphasizing training, diverse hiring practices, and transparency.
Accessible design enhances usability for all users by creating interfaces and content that are clear, intuitive, and easy to navigate. Features such as logical navigation structures, readable text, and consistent layouts benefit everyone, not just individuals with disabilities.
For example, captions on videos are essential for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, but they also help users in noisy environments or those who prefer to watch videos without sound. Similarly, high-contrast text improves readability for users with visual impairments while also making content easier to read in low-light settings or on small screens.
From a business perspective, accessible design reduces barriers to engagement, ensuring that a wider audience can interact with content and services. This inclusivity fosters a better user experience by accommodating diverse needs and preferences, such as offering multiple ways to interact with a product or service.
By addressing accessibility, businesses can create more efficient and user-friendly systems that minimize frustration and improve overall satisfaction. In turn, this approach supports broader adoption and retention, benefiting both users and the organization.
However, businesses face specific challenges when localizing their content and user experiences to ensure their products, services, and related information are accessible to diverse audiences. Language barriers require careful adaptation of content to different languages while maintaining clarity and accessibility.
Cultural differences also play a significant role, as designs must align with varying norms and expectations across regions. Additionally, technical hurdles arise in ensuring that assistive technologies, such as screen readers, function effectively across localized versions of websites or applications.
Poor localization can result in inaccessible content, which may limit a business’s ability to reach and engage its audience. Examples include untranslated alt text, which hinders access for visually impaired users, and non-inclusive design elements that fail to accommodate diverse user needs. Addressing these issues is essential for creating an inclusive and user-friendly experience for all customers, regardless of their language, culture, or abilities.
Let’s look at some metrics to support the case for improving UX with regard to accessibility.
Many countries have laws requiring businesses to provide accessible products and services, and companies must address accessibility across their digital properties to avoid legal exposure in multiple jurisdictions. You can take proactive steps to reduce the legal risks such as:
And as for the benefits, the numbers speak for themselves:
In 2025, global accessibility standards are becoming more stringent due to legal mandates and societal expectations. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) remain central to these efforts, with WCAG 2.1 AA serving as the baseline for most regulations. However, WCAG 2.2 is increasingly being adopted as a best practice, even though it is not yet a legal requirement in many jurisdictions. These guidelines emphasize features such as text alternatives, keyboard navigation, and compatibility with assistive technologies. Globally, 83% of countries now reference WCAG in their digital accessibility laws, reflecting its widespread influence.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a key regulation taking effect on June 28, 2025, across EU member states. It applies to digital products and services, including websites, mobile apps, e-commerce platforms, and banking services.
The EAA mandates compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA and additional technical requirements outlined in EN 301 549. Non-compliance can result in significant penalties, including fines exceeding €100,000 in some countries and restrictions on market access.
Non-compliance with accessibility standards carries significant financial, legal, and operational risks. In the EU, fines are determined by member states and are designed to be “dissuasive”. Legal risks are also increasing, with a 62% rise in cross-border EU accessibility lawsuits since 2023. Operationally, non-compliance can lead to market exclusion in the EU and user abandonment, as 41% of users leave inaccessible websites within 10 seconds. These consequences highlight the growing importance of accessibility compliance for businesses operating in global markets.
Organizations that successfully meet accessibility requirements often adopt proactive strategies. These include integrating accessibility into their technology stacks, using AI-powered tools to address WCAG checkpoints, and conducting regular audits to identify and close compliance gaps.
Many companies also invest in organizational culture shifts, such as appointing dedicated accessibility officers and providing employee training to reduce implementation errors. User-centric design approaches, such as voice user interfaces and dynamic content adjustment tools, have further improved accessibility outcomes and user experiences.
Enforcement trends show that 23 EU member states now require accessibility statements on corporate websites. As accessibility becomes a critical component of sustainable business strategies, organizations that prioritize compliance are seeing benefits such as broader market reach and higher customer retention.
To improve accessibility and create a more inclusive user experience, consider implementing several key strategies. Start by conducting accessibility audits to identify and address any issues in your content. Ensure your designs are compatible with assistive technologies, such as screen readers and voice recognition software, to make your content more accessible to a wider range of users. Additionally, involve users with disabilities in the design and testing process to gain valuable insights and ensure the content meets their needs effectively.
Maintain accessibility over time by adopting a process of continuous improvement. Schedule regular updates and feedback sessions to adapt to evolving technologies and user needs. This iterative approach helps ensure that your content remains accessible and inclusive as circumstances change. By integrating these strategies into your workflow, you can create a more user-friendly experience for all.
The case of Tesco’s online grocery shopping platform provides an excellent example of the importance of involving users with disabilities in the design and testing process for e-commerce websites
Major UK-based retail chain, Tesco, recognized the need to improve their online grocery shopping experience for customers with disabilities. They partnered with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to enhance their website’s accessibility.
The existing Tesco website posed significant challenges for users with visual impairments, making it difficult for them to navigate and complete purchases.
Tesco’s collaboration with RNIB brought expert insights into the needs of visually impaired users. Their partnership exemplifies the importance of involving disability experts and users in the design process.
A redesign was proposed, which focused on several critical areas:
The accessibility improvements led to a 350% increase in online sales and improved customer satisfaction across all user groups, as well as enhancing usability for customers with disabilities.
Thanks to their partnership with RNIB, the supermarket giant gained some invaluable insights that may have been overlooked without expert input.
Localization and accessibility are often treated as separate considerations in digital content development, but they are deeply interconnected. Both aim to ensure that digital platforms are usable and engaging for diverse audiences, regardless of their language, culture, or abilities. By integrating these two principles, businesses can create truly inclusive experiences that resonate with users on a global scale.
Localization goes beyond translating text—it involves adapting content to align with cultural norms, preferences, and expectations. However, without accessibility, localized content may fail to reach its intended audience. For example, translating a website into multiple languages is insufficient if the site is not compatible with screen readers or if the translated text lacks proper alt descriptions for images. Similarly, localized video content must include captions and audio descriptions to ensure it is accessible to users with hearing or visual impairments.
By embedding accessibility into the localization process, businesses can ensure that their content is not only culturally relevant but also usable by individuals with disabilities. This approach requires collaboration between localization teams, accessibility experts, and users with diverse needs to identify and address potential barriers.
Localized content introduces unique challenges for accessibility. For instance, languages with longer text strings, such as German or Finnish, may disrupt the layout of a website or application, making it harder to navigate for users with cognitive disabilities. Similarly, right-to-left (RTL) languages like Arabic or Hebrew require careful design adjustments to ensure compatibility with assistive technologies. Addressing these challenges requires a nuanced understanding of both linguistic and technical considerations.
Cultural differences also play a significant role in shaping accessible design. For example, colour choices that are culturally significant in one region may not meet contrast requirements for users with visual impairments. Additionally, gestures or icons that are intuitive in one culture may be confusing or inaccessible in another. By adopting a holistic approach that considers both cultural and accessibility factors, businesses can create localized content that is inclusive and effective.
Integrating accessibility into localization efforts not only benefits users but also drives business outcomes. Accessible localized content allows companies to expand their reach into new markets, tapping into the estimated 1 billion people worldwide who live with disabilities. Moreover, it enhances brand reputation by demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility.
For example, a global e-commerce platform that ensures its localized websites are accessible to screen readers and include clear navigation structures can attract a broader audience, including users with disabilities. This approach fosters trust and loyalty among customers, leading to higher engagement and retention rates.
To successfully merge localization and accessibility, businesses can adopt the following strategies:
By aligning localization and accessibility efforts, businesses can create digital platforms that are not only compliant with global standards but also inclusive and user-friendly for all audiences. This unified approach ensures that no user is left behind, regardless of their language, culture, or abilities.
The integration of accessibility and user experience (UX) in localized digital content is not only a regulatory necessity but also a strategic opportunity to create inclusive and user-friendly platforms. As global accessibility standards, such as the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), become more stringent, organizations must prioritize accessibility in their design and development processes. By addressing challenges such as language barriers, cultural differences, and technical compatibility with assistive technologies, businesses can ensure their content is accessible to a diverse audience. This approach not only reduces legal and operational risks but also enhances usability for all users, fostering broader engagement and satisfaction.
