Accessibility in 2026: What You Need to Know

Digital accessibility is evolving rapidly. Regulatory expectations are increasing, AI and automation are becoming more common, and there is a stronger focus on real-world usability and measurable outcomes.

Watch the Replay

Watch the Replay: Accessibility in 2026: What you need to know.

Digital accessibility is evolving quickly, with increasing regulatory expectations, growing reliance on AI and automation, and a stronger focus on real-world usability.

This webinar provides a clear, practical update on the accessibility trends shaping 2026. It will help organisations understand what’s changing, why it matters, and where to focus their efforts to manage risk and build sustainable accessibility practices, without requiring deep technical knowledge.

Topics covered:

  • Accessibility law and regulation in 2026 - Key legal and regulatory developments in Australia and globally, including the EU, Canada, and the United States, and how international changes and increasingly globalised markets are influencing local requirements
  • AI and automated accessibility tools - With the rise of automated and AI-driven accessibility testing tools, we will explore what you need to know before considering the use of these technologies
  • What to prioritise in 2026 - Practical guidance on where organisations should focus their accessibility efforts this year, including capability building, early integration, and sustainable approaches

Watch the Replay: Accessibility in 2026: What you need to know.

Upskill in 2026

We've got some exciting training coming up:

  • Introduction to Using Screen Readers (Starts 25 February): Experience how screen readers work and learn to design, build, and test for them. This hands-on course bridges empathy and technical skill, helping teams create content that truly works for all users.
  • Mobile Apps Accessibility (Starts 16 March): Learn how to make mobile apps accessible to everyone. This course explores how WCAG 2.2 applies to iOS and Android apps, with practical guidance for designing, developing, and testing inclusive mobile experiences.
  • WCAG 2.2 Training (Starts 15 April): Take a deep dive into the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. This advanced technical course unpacks WCAG 2.2 with real-world examples, hands-on exercises, and practical guidance for achiving compliance with confidence.

Changing Legal and Regulatory Environment

Accessibility expectations are rising globally, with laws and regulatory frameworks increasingly shifting beyond technical compliance to focus on real-world usability and outcomes for people with disability. 

Across many jurisdictions, accessibility requirements are becoming clearer, broader, and more actively enforced, reflecting growing recognition that accessible digital experiences are a baseline expectation, not an optional extra. National and international developments throughout 2025 are setting the groundwork for this shift, making 2026 a particularly significant year for organisations to reassess their approach, manage risk, and invest in sustainable, people-centred accessibility practices.

These include:

Accessibility Tooling

There is a clear place for accessibility tools, but their value depends on how well they are integrated into your broader accessibility strategy. 

Automation and AI can sometimes feel like a quick fix, but they still require accessibility knowledge and expertise to be used effectively. The more you and your team understand accessibility, the more value you can gain from tools, automation, and AI. 

Without that investment in capability, tooling can create a false sense of security and miss real barriers for people with disability. If you would like to talk about how to get this balance right for your organisation, get in touch with our team.