Education websites rank among the least accessible for disabled users and require the most improvements into 2026, according to new research.
On average, nearly half (48%) of UK websites are in need of accessibility improvements in 2026, or risk excluding users with disabilities.
The State of Accessibility Report by brand communications agency Warbox analysed Google’s Accessibility Scores for more than 1,200 UK websites across 14 sectors to reveal those that need the most improvement – and which are digitally inclusive.
Education had the sixth least accessible websites overall, with 56% needing improvements to be disabled user-friendly in 2026, well above the UK average.
Travel and tourism companies were found to have the worst online accessibility overall, with more than three-quarters (79%) of websites needing improvement.
At the other end of the scale, councils have the most accessible websites overall, with just 8% needing improvement, likely because they are legally required to adhere to WCAG standards.
Anything from small font sizes to low colour contrast could prevent some website users from buying products or accessing critical services online.
Tania Gerard, accessible marketing consultant and founder at Tania Gerard Digital, is neurodivergent and finds some websites impossible to use.
She said: “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.”
The research comes as 80% of UK adults with disabilities say they feel excluded by poor website accessibility and believe brands are missing out on millions of pounds worth of sales as a result.
Although a smooth user journey is critical to generating sales, 70% of hospitality sites need accessibility improvements, compared to 64% of fashion websites, 63% in the wider retail sector, and 61% in the legal sector.
Mark Fensom, director at Warbox, comments on the findings:
“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.”
To read the full research, visit https://warboxcreative.co.uk/state-of-accessibility-uk-websites-in-2026/
Methodology
Warbox analysed Google’s PageSpeed Insights Accessibility Scores for over 1,200 companies across 14 industries. Scores of 90 or above are good, 50-89 need improvement, and below 50 is poor. Warbox calculated the percentage of companies scoring under 89 in each sector to rank industries needing the most improvement in online accessibility.
Data correct as of October 2025.
