Ensuring a website’s accessibility not only refers to its conformance level with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) but also to safeguarding privacy, security, and the rights of each user. Every sector, including healthcare, finance, and SaaS, requires compliance with critical frameworks like SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR.
These standards play a vital role in making a website inclusive. Their implication for digital accessibility is important in order to provide a safe space from data theft.
So, when it comes to an inclusive digital environment, SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR compliance are equally crucial as WCAG.
Read along to know more about these three crucial facets of digital compliance.
Understanding These Compliance Frameworks
- What is SOC 2 and SOC Type 2?
SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is a framework developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). It evaluates how well a service provider manages customer data based on five Trust Services Criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
SOC Type 2 specifically assesses the operational effectiveness of a company’s systems over a period (typically 3-12 months), making it highly relevant for SaaS platforms and cloud-based service providers.
- What is HIPAA?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulates how healthcare providers, insurers, and their business associates handle Protected Health Information (PHI). It requires safe data storage, user authentication, encryption, and breach notification.
HIPAA also necessitates that the digital systems – including websites and patient portals – are accessible to users with disabilities.
- What is GDPR?
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) governs data protection and privacy for individuals in the European Union. It mandates explicit consent for data processing, the right to access and delete personal data, and robust data protection measures.
For accessible websites, GDPR means ensuring that privacy controls are usable by everyone, including those using screen readers or alternative navigation tools.
The Link Between Compliance and Accessibility
- Accessibility and data privacy go hand-in-hand
An accessible website must also be a secure and private environment for every user. For instance, visually impaired users may use screen readers that read out sensitive data – like account numbers or health records. If privacy measures are poorly implemented, such sensitive information could be inadvertently exposed in public or unsafe environments. (Best practice: auto-reading can be paused if not required).
- Trust and user confidence
If a user with a disability tries to book a doctor’s appointment online, they need a safe, accessible website. Inaccessible environments make them feel insecure and they might end-up not completing their task.
On the other hand, a secure and accessible platform builds trust, encouraging engagement and repeat visits – especially when sensitive information is involved.
- Inclusive design meets secure design
SOC 2 and GDPR both emphasize the importance of secure architecture and user control. These principles naturally align with accessible design. For example, GDPR requires that cookie consent pop-ups are understandable and operable. When accessibility is part of security planning, the result is a more resilient and user-friendly system.
- Role of third-party accessibility tools
Many organizations turn to third-party accessibility solutions to support compliance and enhance user experiences. These tools – such as accessibility overlays, AI-driven screen reader support, automated testing tools, and real-time remediation widgets – can offer quick solutions and help identify gaps.
However, while these tools are useful, they ought to also comply with data protection and security standards. For example:
- A widget that gathers user interactions must follow GDPR consent requirements.
- Any tool handling form validation or login data must meet SOC Type 2 security controls.
- In healthcare, integrations must be HIPAA-compliant if they process or store PHI.
Organizations should carefully vet third-party vendors for both accessibility performance and compliance alignment.
Benefits of Aligning Website Accessibility with Compliance Standards
When accessibility and compliance are approached together, organizations unlock a range of strategic, operational, and reputational advantages:
- Stronger legal protection
Meeting both accessibility and regulatory standards significantly lowers the risk of legal penalties, complaints, or lawsuits. It demonstrates a proactive stance toward inclusivity and user rights.
- Wider market reach
Accessibility opens a website to a broader audience, including people with disabilities and elderly users. When layered with GDPR and HIPAA compliance, organizations can confidently serve international and healthcare-sensitive markets.
- Improved SEO and performance
Accessible websites generally have cleaner code, faster load times, and structured content, which align with SEO best practices. Security and privacy enhancements from compliance also contribute to better system performance and uptime (SOC 2 benefit).
- Cost-efficiency through unified strategy
By building security, privacy, and usability into the development process from the start, organizations save money on retrofits, fines, and patchwork fixes.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
- Legal and financial repercussions
- HIPAA violations can lead to fines up to $1.5 million per year per violation category.
- GDPR fines can go up to €20 million or 4% of global turnover, whichever is higher.
(Source: Non-compliance – 8 regulations have high penalties?)
- SOC 2 audit failure may not result in fines but can destroy customer trust and lead to loss of enterprise contracts.
If a site is both inaccessible and non-compliant, it is exposed to dual risks: legal action and user abandonment.
- Damage to brand reputation
Companies that fail to provide secure and accessible digital experiences may encounter backlash, especially from advocacy groups and consumers on social media. Lawsuits and news coverage can quickly erode years of brand equity.
Best Practices to Achieve Accessibility and Compliance!
- Conducting regular audits
Perform automated manual accessibility audits alongside compliance assessments. Look for overlaps – such as how authentication systems or data forms function for assistive tech users.
- Choosing the right tools and vendors
Work with vendors that prioritize privacy, security, and accessibility. Whether it’s a CMS, analytics provider, or payment processor, ensure their tools meet SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR requirements and are accessible.
- Invest in training and governance
Train teams – especially developers and content creators – on the intersections of accessibility and compliance. Maintain clear internal policies that include both accessibility checklists and data privacy/security requirements.
- Transparency through privacy policies and statements
Include accessibility statements, privacy policies, and terms of use that clearly articulate the compliance efforts of organizations. Make sure these documents are easy to read and accessible.
Wrapping up
Accessibility is a continuous effort toward inclusion, privacy, and trust. Frameworks like SOC Type 2, HIPAA, and GDPR provide the foundation for secure and ethical digital experiences – but without accessibility, their reach remains limited.
By treating compliance and accessibility as complementary goals, organizations can build digital platforms that not only meet legal standards but also empower every user – regardless of their abilities.
Make compliance inclusive and accessibility secure. That’s the future of digital trust!
This thought leadership article was contributed by Skynet Technologies.
Skynet Technologies is a worldwide leader in digital accessibility compliance solution. Skynet Technologies offers an WCAG, ADA, European Accessibility Act.(EAA) accessibility widget – All in One Accessibility®, which supports HIPAA, and GDPR compliant, and They are SOC Type 2 compliant.