Half of UK IT websites ‘fail’ basic accessibility tests

Nearly half of UK information technology websites fall short of basic accessibility standards and risk excluding disabled users, according to new research by brand communications agency Warbox.

The study examined more than 1,200 UK websites across 14 sectors using Google's PageSpeed Insights Accessibility Scores. It assessed how many sites fall below a score of 90, which Warbox classifies as a threshold for good accessibility.

Across all sectors, 48% of UK websites require accessibility improvements. These sites score under 89 and risk excluding users with disabilities.

The research places IT in the lower half of the rankings. The sector has the eighth least accessible websites, with 49% of IT sites needing improvements for disabled users in 2026. This is slightly worse than the national average across all sectors.

Warbox used Google's scoring system to assess performance. Scores of 90 or above are defined as good. Scores between 50 and 89 require improvement. Scores below 50 are described as poor.

The analysis calculates the percentage of companies in each industry scoring under 89. Warbox then ranks sectors by the share of sites that fall into the needs-improvement or poor bands.

Travel sites lag

Travel and tourism companies record the weakest performance in the study. More than three-quarters, or 79%, of websites in that sector require accessibility improvements.

Hospitality firms also perform poorly. The research finds that 70% of hospitality sites need work on accessibility.

Fashion and wider retail follow. Some 64% of fashion websites and 63% of retail sites fall below the good threshold.

Legal services also show significant gaps. The report finds that 61% of legal sector sites require accessibility improvements.

By contrast, local government websites perform best. Councils have the most accessible websites overall, with just 8% needing improvement. Warbox links this stronger performance to legal requirements around the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, known as WCAG.

Impact on users

The report highlights practical barriers that disabled users face on many sites. These range from small font sizes to low colour contrast. Such issues can block users from completing purchases or accessing important services online.

Accessible marketing consultant Tania Gerard, who is neurodivergent, says poorly designed sites can be unusable.

"I've abandoned the checkout many times if I've found it difficult to make a purchase. But when accessibility is poor, customers don't just leave a website; they form a lasting impression of that brand. It tells them the brand hasn't considered their needs, which erodes crucial trust. Accessible design isn't just about the compliance side, it's about showing people they matter," said Gerard, founder at Tania Gerard Digital.

The research sits against wider concerns among disabled consumers in the UK. Warbox notes that 80% of UK adults with disabilities say they feel excluded by poor website accessibility. They believe brands lose out on millions of pounds in sales as a result.

Commercial risk

The findings point to a gap between the growth of online commerce and the accessibility of many sites. Many businesses now rely heavily on digital channels for sales and customer service. A site that is difficult to navigate can block transactions and deter repeat visits.

Warbox director Mark Fensom says many organisations are still not meeting established standards.

"The Website Content Accessibility Guidelines were published over 25 years ago, yet many brands are still struggling to provide an inclusive online experience. As more businesses shift to eCommerce and the search landscape evolves, accessibility is even more important to reaching customers and creating memorable, positive experiences.

"Creating an accessible website doesn't have to be expensive, and it should be built in from the start. Some simple changes like adding image and video descriptions, making sure buttons are easy to spot, and forms have the right labels, are a good place to start. A web developer can handle the technical side, but ultimately, it's a brand's duty to champion website accessibility for their customers," said Fensom.

The report bases its conclusions on data collected in October 2025. Warbox positions the findings as a benchmark for website accessibility across UK industries in 2026.

The agency states that businesses which score under 90 on Google's accessibility metric face ongoing pressure to upgrade their digital services over the coming year.