9 Key Accessibility Laws for Mobile Apps: What You Need to Know

When developing a mobile app, understanding accessibility standards and regulations isn’t just about meeting legal requirements – it’s about creating an inclusive product for all users. Different regions have specific legal frameworks and, as a business owner, you must ensure your app complies with the regulations in any market where it’s available.

My article provides a clear overview of major accessibility regulations, including the European Accessibility Act (EAA), ADA (United States), AODA (Canada), and more. We’ll also cover how WCAG guidelines fit into these frameworks and why conducting early audits is essential for avoiding costly retrofits later.

• You may also like: What is Accessibility in Mobile Apps? 

Below is a brief summary of the key legal regulations, categorized by the regions where they apply. The general rule is that if your app is accessible to users in a specific country or region, you must ensure it complies with the accessibility regulations of that area, even if your business is based elsewhere. Let’s dive in!

European Union (European Accessibility Act, EAA)

The EAA is a directive, which means it does not apply directly in a given European Union (EU) country. Each EU country is required to adopt its own legislation to implement the EAA into its national laws, ensuring it aligns with the country’s existing legal framework.

This directive establishes a minimum standard and framework that member states must follow; however, individual countries may set higher standards or introduce other differences compared to others.

Nevertheless, the directive can be confidently treated as a sufficient foundation for incorporating accessibility requirements into your application.

When did it come into effect? The EAA comes into effect on June 28, 2025.

Who does it apply to?

• Private sector: The EAA specifically targets private sector entities. The public sector is covered under a different EU regulation.
• Companies producing specific physical products: This includes manufacturers, distributors, and importers. It only applies to your app if it interacts with a physical product or is embedded within it (e.g., software in e-book readers).
• Service providers: This category is most relevant to you as a mobile app owner, as the obligations will generally apply to app-related services.

What are the main requirements for service providers?

Requirements vary across industries and sectors. For example, electronic banking applications will have different requirements than e-commerce services. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly review the requirements applicable to you and your app before starting the development process, or conducting an audit if you already have an app.

Nonetheless, the general rules oblige you to:

• Provide a mode of operation that does not rely on vision (support for TalkBack and VoiceOver).
• Ensure adequate contrast so that people who cannot distinguish colors can use the app.
• Provide a mode of operation that can be used as an alternative to functionalities that rely on hearing.
• Provide a mode of operation that does not require speech or making sounds.
• Ensure a mode of operation that accounts for varying levels of manual dexterity.
• Pay attention to animations that could trigger epilepsy.
• Use a readable, intuitive design and straightforward, concise language.

What else should you know?

• If your app is targeted at a small number of users or you run a smaller business, you might not need to follow all EAA rules. EAA introduces an exemption of “a disproportionate burden” in cases where making a product or a service fully accessible will likely mean “additional excessive organizational or financial burden” for a company. In that case, some of the regulations will not apply to you.
• Each EU country may introduce formal obligations related to the information you provide to users about accessibility, oversight of companies, and/or reporting to the appropriate government authorities.

United Kingdom

In the UK, there are several legal acts that require digital accessibility. However, there is no single, specific law that directly addresses mobile apps.

When targeting users in the UK with your mobile app, it is important to conduct a brief legal analysis to ensure that your app’s specific features, industry, and purpose align with the relevant legal requirements in the UK.

When did they come into effect? The law concerning digital accessibility in the UK has been in force for several years. Changes are currently being discussed that may impact the specific obligations of mobile app owners in the future.

Equality Act 2010

• The Equality Act is the law that will most likely apply to your app, as it primarily addresses the private sector.
• The Equality Act prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in the provision of goods, services, and facilities, which includes digital services like mobile apps.
• Your app must be designed and developed in a way that does not disadvantage users with disabilities.
• Although the Equality Act does not explicitly mention specific technical standards, compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA is widely recognized as the best way to meet its requirements.

Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018

• Although the name suggests this law primarily targets the public sector, it also extends to certain private sector apps that receive government funding.
• These regulations highlight standards considered to be “good practice” for private businesses, although the legal requirements are more explicit than those for private entities.
• WCAG 2.1 Level AA is mandated for public sector apps and is considered a de facto standard for private apps to ensure inclusivity.
• You can find the document here. 

The BSI 8878 Web Accessibility Standard

• This is not a legally binding regulation like the ones above, but it provides guidelines for web accessibility, including digital products like websites and mobile apps.
• It serves as a best-practice framework that private sector companies can follow to demonstrate their commitment to accessibility.
• It aligns closely with the Equality Act 2010 and helps businesses meet their legal obligations.

In this standard, more emphasis is placed on:

• Providing accessible information to users (accessibility policy).
• Establishing internal processes (appointing a specific person or team to be responsible for accessibility).
• Publishing clear information for users through an accessibility statement.

Case law

• In the UK, legal precedents can serve as applicable law for all, not just for the parties involved in the legal proceedings.
• There has been an increasing number of cases where courts have held private companies accountable for inaccessible digital platforms. These legal precedents suggest that businesses should proactively ensure their digital services are accessible.

United States (American Disability Act, ADA)

When did it come into effect? The ADA has been in effect since 1990 and, as the internet grew and became more widespread, its provisions began to apply to websites, and later to mobile apps.

• Although the ADA was enacted before the digital world as we know it today existed (in 1990), it has been interpreted to mean that the duties and principles related to “places of public accommodation” also apply to websites and mobile apps. This interpretation means that apps must provide equal access to individuals with disabilities, just as physical stores or facilities do.
• It applies to private businesses offering services to the public, such as retail, entertainment, finance, and healthcare.
• The ADA does not explicitly reference technical standards, but courts and enforcement bodies often refer to WCAG 2.1 Level AA as a minimum benchmark.
• The biggest risk of not making your mobile app ADA-compliant is a lawsuit. As mentioned in the previous article, users with special needs form a large and powerful group. Lawsuits targeting inaccessible mobile apps have been increasing in the U.S., and in many cases, courts have ruled in favor of plaintiffs with disabilities.

Canada 

In Canada, there is no unified regulation on accessibility specifically for the private sector; however, there is a noticeable trend in Canada towards eliminating disability barriers over the next few years. 

Individual provinces and regions implement their own regulations, but if you want to target users in Canada, the fact that regulations apply only in certain regions will not make much of a difference in practice, as you will not be able to determine where your user resides. Therefore, the best solution is to ensure the minimum accessibility standards required by the laws in each region where your app may be used.

Accessible Canada Act

When did it come into effect? 2019.

The ACA primarily applies to the public sector, but also to specific services offered to consumers in sectors typically under public oversight, such as banking, broadcasting, telecommunications, and transportation.

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

When did it come into effect? 2005.

• The AODA specifically applies to key service providers in the private sector who offer goods, services, or facilities, and mainly targets larger organizations. 
• As stated on the government’s website regarding the regulations: “Without mandates to create accessible mobile apps, people create and rely on mobile apps that are not accessible. Consequently, people with disabilities face more accessibility barriers when trying to use those apps.”
• The current recommendations are also based on the implementation of WCAG Level AA standards.

Similar regulations were also adopted in Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Manitoba, with a goal to make Canada fully accessible by 2050.

Australia (Disability Discrimination Act, DDA)

When did it come into effect? 1992, and with the development of the digital world, the principles of the DDA now also apply to digital spaces.

• The general principle is the prohibition of discrimination in access, including access to mobile apps.
• If a mobile app is a primary method of accessing a service, it must provide equal access to all users, including those with disabilities.
• Failure to ensure accessibility could be interpreted as discrimination under the DDA.
• The DDA does not prescribe specific technical standards for accessibility; however, the WCAG 2.1 AA standards are considered a good benchmark for minimal standards.

Let’s recap the regulations we discussed above:

How to navigate these regulations?

When targeting your app to a wide range of users from different parts of the world, you must be aware that your app will need to comply with the specific standards set by the regulations of each country. This applies not only to accessibility but also to other regulations, such as those related to personal data protection or industry-specific standards like healthcare or transportation.

To avoid the costs of making changes to your app later, which would involve adapting to relevant regulations, or, simply, administrative fines or legal processes, you should conduct a legal audit as early as possible. This audit will guide you through the necessary steps. We recommend conducting an audit that won’t break your budget but covers the essential areas so that you have the knowledge needed to make informed decisions at later stages of app development.

Want to know the exact steps to make your app accessible? Check out our article: Step-by-Step Guide to Provide Accessibility in Your Mobile App. It covers everything you need, whether you’re starting from scratch or updating an existing app to meet accessibility standards.

To wrap things up, here’s when you should especially pay attention to accessibility regulations:

As you’ve probably noticed, many of the regulations reference WCAG standards, so let’s dive into what they are and why they matter

What is WCAG?

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of internationally recognized standards designed to make digital content, such as websites and mobile applications, accessible to people with disabilities. Find it here.

WCAG defines three levels of conformance, reflecting the depth and complexity of accessibility requirements: 

• Level A (Minimum Level): These are the most basic web accessibility requirements, ensuring that no content creates significant barriers to access, including criteria for  the likes of alternative texts for images and keyboard operability.

• Level AA (Mid-Level): Level AA meets the requirements of level A and adds some more to improve accessibility for a broader audience. 

• Level AAA (Highest Level): Level AAA is not typically required by regulations, as it can be difficult to achieve for all content.

WCAG vs. legal regulations

Please note that even though WCAG is a commonly used benchmark (and for a good reason!), it is not a legally binding regulation.

Is it fair to say then that, to be safe, you can only implement WCAG Level AA to your app? In most cases, yes. However, please keep in mind that particular regulations may differ from WCAG, and, most importantly, they may obligate you to provide things like additional documentation or procedures.

In some cases, if it is what is best for your business at the time, perhaps WCAG Level A should do the trick.

The matter is more complex, especially when you want to distribute your app across multiple regions. At Droids On Roids, we recommend that you conduct both a legal audit and an accessibility audit at an early stage so you know what you’re up against.

Wrap-up

Accessibility isn’t just a legal requirement – it’s a commitment to creating inclusive, user-friendly experiences for everyone. As we’ve explored, different regions have their own accessibility regulations, from the European Accessibility Act (EAA) to the ADA in the U.S., and beyond. Complying with these laws not only helps avoid penalties but also expands your app’s reach and boosts user satisfaction.

Whether you’re building a new app or updating an existing one, prioritizing accessibility from the start saves time, reduces costs, and ensures your product meets global standards. Ready to take the next step? Start planning for accessibility today, and if you need expert guidance, let’s connect – we’re here to help!

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