Test your NHS or GP website for HHS Section 504, Equality Act 2010, and PSBAR 2018 compliance. Get an instant report with violations, warnings, and actionable solutions. Trusted by 5000+ healthcare organisations across the UK.
The UK HHS Compliance Checker from AccessiTool is a free tool that automatically tests your healthcare website against WCAG 2.2 Level AA — the technical standard required for NHS digital services and recommended for the Equality Act 2010. The tool scans your website for over 50 success criteria and identifies violations that could lead to discrimination claims, EHRC investigations, or loss of patient trust. In just 60 seconds, you get a detailed report with actionable solutions.
HHS Section 504 is a US healthcare accessibility regulation from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) based on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal funding from HHS.
In 2024, the regulation was updated with a Final Rule that sets clear requirements for digital accessibility in healthcare. The rule requires all digital offerings of healthcare organisations to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
The HHS regulation applies to:
While HHS Section 504 is a US regulation, it matters for UK healthcare organisations for several reasons:
If your NHS Trust or private hospital treats American patients, collaborates with US organisations, or receives federal funding for research, you may be covered by HHS Section 504.
HHS Section 504 shares the same technical standard (WCAG 2.1 Level AA) as UK laws like the Equality Act 2010 and PSBAR 2018. If your healthcare website is compliant with UK laws, it is also compliant with HHS Section 504.
Following HHS Section 504 shows your organisation is committed to international accessibility standards and global best practice.
HHS Section 504 is a US regulation. The Equality Act 2010 is a UK law. PSBAR 2018 is a UK regulation for public sector bodies. All three require accessible digital services in healthcare.
The UK uses WCAG 2.2 Level AA, which is more comprehensive than HHS's WCAG 2.1 Level AA. So if you meet UK standards, you exceed US requirements.
NHS England requires all digital services to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. This applies to:
NHS organisations are legally responsible for accessibility — even if services are outsourced. The recommended standard for NHS App integration is WCAG 2.2 Level AA.
A new NHS information standard (effective December 2025) requires all NHS providers to record, share, and act on patient reasonable adjustment needs via the National Care Records Service (NCRS).
The Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 (PSBAR) applies to all NHS organisations and requires:
| Feature | EAA | HHS Section 504 | Equality Act 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Region | 🇪🇺 EU | 🇺🇸 USA | 🇬🇧 UK |
| Technical standard | EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1 AA) | WCAG 2.1 Level AA | WCAG 2.2 Level AA |
| Applies to | Businesses trading in EU | Healthcare orgs with US funding | All healthcare providers |
| Penalties | €900,000 or 4% turnover | Loss of federal funding | Unlimited compensation |
Use the free UK HHS checker to scan your healthcare website against WCAG 2.2 Level AA. You'll get an instant report with violations and solutions.
Focus on the most common violations:
Publish an accessibility statement on your website (mandatory for NHS organisations).
Document all tests and improvements. This serves as evidence of your compliance efforts.
The UK HHS Checker from AccessiTool is a free tool that automatically tests your healthcare website against WCAG 2.2 Level AA — the technical standard required for NHS digital services and recommended for the Equality Act 2010.
Yes! The UK HHS Checker is 100% free. No registration, no credit card, no hidden costs.
The checker tests WCAG 2.2 Level AA — the technical standard required for NHS digital services, PSBAR 2018, and recommended for the Equality Act 2010.
The scan takes less than 60 seconds. You get an instant report with compliance score, violations, and solutions.
Yes! You can download a PDF report with all violations, warnings, and compliance score — perfect for your records or legal team.
Yes — if you treat US patients, collaborate with US organisations, or receive federal funding. Even if not legally required, following HHS standards shows commitment to international accessibility.
The new NHS reasonable adjustments standard has a compliance deadline of 30 September 2026.
Penalties include discrimination claims with unlimited compensation, EHRC investigations, breaches of NHS standards, and reputational damage.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Compliance obligations under the Equality Act, PSBAR, and HHS may vary by jurisdiction. For your specific situation, consult a qualified legal professional.
Free UK HHS Checker — scan your healthcare website against WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards.
Free UK HHS Checker →No registration. Instant results. WCAG 2.2 AA.