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3 Digital Accessibility Trends to Watch in 2025

Posted February 25, 2025

AudioEye

Posted February 25, 2025

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Digital accessibility will continue to be a top priority in 2025 as compliance deadlines near and public expectations grow. Key trends include stronger accessibility efforts in healthcare and government, better ways to measure compliance, and a shift away from quick fixes toward more comprehensive solutions.

In 2024, the Department of Justice placed significant emphasis on digital accessibility in government, public education, and healthcare services. As 2025 unfolds, both private and public organizations will encounter increasing regulations and growing public expectations to ensure their digital offerings are accessible to all. Nearly one in four people globally live with a disability, yet much of the digital world remains inaccessible. With evolving regulations, rising awareness, and technological advancements, accessibility is now at the forefront of the digital landscape.

Here are three key trends expected to shape digital accessibility in 2025, along with actionable steps organizations can take to stay ahead.

1. Accelerated Adoption in Healthcare and Government Sectors

Regulatory changes introduced in 2024 are driving significant shifts in digital accessibility, particularly in the healthcare and government sectors.The Department of Justice’s updated rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) now explicitly requires state and local governments to ensure that their websites and digital services are accessible. Similarly, updated guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are compelling healthcare providers to improve the accessibility of patient portals, appointment systems, and other essential digital tools.

With compliance deadlines approaching, healthcare providers and government entities must prioritize adopting and implementing comprehensive accessibility practices or risk non-compliance. These sectors directly serve diverse populations, including millions of people with disabilities who depend on accessible digital platforms for vital services.

Taking Action

A comprehensive accessibility audit is the best starting point for organizations in these sectors to assess their digital presence. For healthcare providers, this includes ensuring appointment scheduling systems are compatible with screen readers. Government agencies should focus on making city data, public service announcements, and tax filing portals accessible via keyboard navigation. Prioritizing high-impact improvements will help organizations create sustainable, scalable accessibility strategies.

2. A Shift to Actionable Compliance Measurement

Measuring accessibility has long been a challenge for organizations. While many tools offer "scores," these often lack transparency or fail to reflect real-world usability for people with disabilities. For example, a high score on an automated tool might overlook critical issues that only expert testing or user feedback can uncover.

In 2025, we expect accessibility measurement to shift toward more actionable and transparent compliance benchmarks. Instead of arbitrary metrics, organizations will need clear, step-by-step guidance to achieve maximum accessibility compliance. From there, they can begin to gauge where their accessibility may be lacking, and how they can begin to fix problem areas to ensure better protection and compliance as they work to meet their accessibility goals. 

Things to Consider

Organizations should look for solutions that offer detailed compliance reporting, such as accessibility scorecards or protection statuses that align with WCAG standards. Tools that incorporate user testing and expert audits alongside automated scanning will provide a more comprehensive and accurate picture of digital accessibility

3. Comprehensive Accessibility Solutions Take the Lead

The limitations of quick-fix accessibility widgets are becoming increasingly apparent. Many of these tools rely on overlays or plugins that provide superficial fixes while leaving deeper accessibility issues unresolved. In some cases, they have even introduced new usability challenges.

In 2025, organizations will need to adopt a more holistic approach to digital accessibility. Historically, accessibility solutions have been divided into two main categories: technology-driven automation tools and expert-led audits and testing. While both approaches have value, neither is sufficient on its own to address the full scope of accessibility challenges. A more effective strategy combines AI-powered automation with human expertise, allowing organizations to efficiently identify and resolve accessibility issues at scale while addressing nuanced challenges that require manual intervention.

This integrated approach not only ensures better compliance but also creates a more sustainable path to long-term digital accessibility. AI excels at identifying patterns and resolving common issues across large digital ecosystems, while human expertise provides the contextual understanding necessary for resolving complex accessibility barriers.

Best Practices

Organizations still relying on standalone tools or widgets should consider transitioning to a comprehensive accessibility platform that blends technology with expert oversight. This comprehensive approach will help address immediate gaps while building a foundation for long-term accessibility.

Why Digital Accessibility Matters More Than Ever

The business case for accessibility has never been stronger. With nearly 25% of the population living with some form of disability, accessible digital experiences open doors to larger audiences and new opportunities. Accessible platforms also enhance usability for all users, not just those with disabilities—features like text-to-speech or keyboard navigation often benefit a broader audience, including older adults and people using mobile devices in challenging environments.

Moreover, failing to prioritize accessibility can have reputational consequences. High-profile lawsuits and customer backlash have made it clear that accessibility is not optional. Organizations that embrace accessibility now will foster greater loyalty among the disability community while continuing to mitigate risk and position themselves as leaders in the digital space. 

As 2025 progresses, more organizations are expected to make accessibility a core component of their digital strategies. Accessibility is not just about meeting legal requirements—it’s about creating digital spaces where everyone can participate fully. Whether it’s a student accessing an online learning portal, a patient managing their healthcare, or a consumer shopping online, everyone deserves an accessible experience.

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