The verdict in three sentences
Digital accessibility is no longer optional: WCAG 2.1 AA applies to many organisations, with a real risk of penalties and litigation. For a group website in London, expect an audit of GBP 1,500 to 3,500 and remediation of GBP 4,000 to 12,000 depending on accumulated debt. The whole thing fits in 8 to 12 weeks, backed by a published accessibility statement.
The cost of compliance
Compliance is handled in two stages: diagnose, then fix. The remediation amount depends mostly on the technical debt of the existing site. Here is the 2026 order of magnitude in the UK.
| Item | 2026 range (GBP) | Content |
|---|---|---|
| WCAG audit (success criteria) | 1,500 - 3,500 | Diagnostic, conformance rate |
| Low-debt remediation | 4,000 - 6,000 | Contrast, alternatives, focus |
| High-debt remediation | 8,000 - 12,000 | Component rework, navigation |
| Accessibility statement | 500 - 1,000 | Mandatory published document |
| Editorial team training | 1,200 - 2,500 | Maintain compliance |
| Annual control audit | 1,000 - 2,000 | Periodic verification |
A recent, well-built site needs light remediation; an old site with bespoke, inaccessible components quickly moves to the upper range.
The legal risk and its scale
Ignoring WCAG exposes you to penalties and growing reputational risk. The table sums up the requirement levels and associated risk.
| Situation | Obligation | 2026 risk |
|---|---|---|
| Non-compliant, no statement | Formal notice possible | Significant penalty |
| Missing statement | Publication mandatory | Penalty + notice |
| Conformance rate < 50% | Action plan required | Sanction if inaction |
| Documented partial compliance | Statement + plan | Reduced risk |
| AA compliance + statement | Compliant | Risk neutralised |
| Annual control performed | Best practice | Easier defence |
The accessibility statement, even for partial compliance, is central: its absence is penalised more heavily than a few unmet criteria backed by an action plan.
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Mini case study
Mr Clarke, legal director of a services group in London, discovers the corporate site shows a WCAG conformance rate of 38%. The compliance risk is significant and a user association threatens to report it. He commissions an audit at GBP 2,800 then a remediation at GBP 9,500 (high debt), plus a statement at GBP 800, i.e. GBP 13,100 in total. Against a material exposure plus reputational risk, the investment is a fraction of the risk avoided and is justified without debate.
FAQ
How large can the penalty be? Failure to meet accessibility obligations exposes the organisation to material penalties and litigation, with potential renewal for persistent breaches.
How much does a WCAG audit cost? In 2026, an audit against the WCAG success criteria sits between GBP 1,500 and 3,500 depending on site size and the number of templates to check.
How much does remediation cost? It ranges from GBP 4,000 for low debt to GBP 12,000 for an old site needing deep rework; the key variable is the technical quality of the existing site.
Is the accessibility statement mandatory? Yes: it must be published on the site, even for partial compliance, with the conformance rate and an action plan; its absence is itself grounds for sanction.
How long to become compliant? Expect 8 to 12 weeks between audit, remediation and statement publication, depending on the fix workload and team availability.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your current conformance rate, the number of templates and your deadline, and we will quote audit and remediation. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
