Top 5 Common Web Accessibility Mistakes (and How to Fix Them): Evidence-Based Solutions for Inclusive Design

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In today's digital landscape, web accessibility isn't optional—it's essential. Recent studies show that over 97% of websites contain accessibility errors that prevent users with disabilities from fully engaging with online content. These barriers not only exclude potential customers but also expose organisations to legal risks under various disability discrimination laws.

Understanding and fixing common accessibility mistakes allows website owners to create inclusive digital experiences that serve all users regardless of their abilities. The most frequently occurring issues include low colour contrast, missing alternative text for images, poorly structured forms, vague link text, and improper heading hierarchies, all of which create significant barriers for people using assistive technologies.

By addressing these accessibility shortcomings, companies demonstrate their commitment to digital inclusion whilst simultaneously expanding their market reach and improving the overall user experience for everyone. The solutions are often straightforward to implement yet yield substantial benefits for both website visitors and businesses alike.

Common Accessibility Oversights

Website accessibility remains overlooked by many developers despite its critical importance. The most pervasive issues prevent millions of users with disabilities from accessing digital content, yet these problems can be resolved with straightforward implementation of established accessibility standards.

1. Neglecting Alt Text for Images

Missing alternative text consistently ranks among the most common accessibility problems on websites. This text description serves as a crucial element for users who rely on screen readers to understand image content.

When alt text is missing, users with visual impairments receive no context about important visual elements. This creates an incomplete experience and potentially excludes critical information.

Proper alt text should:

• Be concise yet descriptive (generally under 125 characters)
• Convey the image's purpose and content
• Include empty alt attributes (alt="") for decorative images
• Avoid phrases like "image of" or "picture of"

Screen readers announce the presence of images, so redundant phrasing wastes time and creates frustration. Developers must systematically implement alt text during the content creation process rather than treating it as an afterthought.

2. Ignoring Keyboard Navigation

Many users cannot operate a mouse or touchscreen and rely entirely on keyboard navigation. When websites fail to implement proper keyboard accessibility, these users face insurmountable barriers.

Common keyboard navigation issues include:

• Interactive elements that cannot receive focus
• Missing focus indicators (no visual cue showing which element is selected)
• Keyboard traps that prevent users from moving forward or backward
• Custom components lacking proper ARIA attributes

Focus management becomes particularly problematic in single-page applications and dynamic content. Developers must ensure logical tab order that follows the visual layout of the page.

Testing keyboard navigation involves using only the Tab key, Enter, space bar and arrow keys to navigate the entire website. If any function cannot be accessed via keyboard, it represents a critical accessibility failure.

3. Overlooking Colour Contrast

Inadequate colour contrast affects users with low vision, colour blindness and those using devices in bright environments. Research indicates this is the most widespread accessibility issue across the web.

Text that blends into backgrounds creates significant readability problems. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) establish specific contrast ratios:

• 4.5:1 for normal text
• 3:1 for large text (18pt or 14pt bold)
• 3:1 for graphical objects and interface components

Designers often prioritise aesthetic preferences over accessibility requirements. This approach fails to acknowledge the diverse needs of users and creates unnecessary barriers.

Several tools can identify contrast issues, including browser extensions and automated scanners. Addressing contrast concerns typically requires minimal effort while dramatically improving usability for a significant portion of users.

4. Missing Form Input Labels

Form input labels serve as critical signposts for all users, but become essential for those using assistive technologies. When labels are absent, screen reader users cannot determine what information should be entered in each field.

Proper form labelling requires:

• Explicit <label> elements properly associated with inputs
• Descriptive text that clearly indicates required information
• Avoiding placeholder text as the sole labelling method
• Providing error messages that pinpoint specific problems

Placeholder text disappears once typing begins, creating difficulties for users with cognitive disabilities or memory impairments. This text also often has insufficient contrast and cannot be relied upon for critical instructions.

Developers should implement both visual labels and programmatic associations through the for attribute matching the input's id. This approach ensures all users can complete forms independently.

5. Insufficient Captioning for Multimedia

Audio and video content presents significant barriers for deaf and hard of hearing users when proper captioning is absent. Approximately 466 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss, making this accessibility oversight particularly impactful.

Effective multimedia accessibility requires:

• Accurate, synchronised captions for all spoken content
• Descriptions of significant sounds and music
• Transcripts for audio-only content
• Audio descriptions for important visual information

Automated captioning tools produce results with inadequate accuracy for reliable use. Human-verified captions remain essential for ensuring content accessibility.

Beyond serving users with hearing impairments, captions benefit those in noisy environments, non-native language speakers, and individuals with certain cognitive disabilities. Their implementation represents a universal design principle that improves usability for all users.

Strategies for Optimising Accessibility

Implementing effective accessibility strategies requires a systematic approach that integrates technical solutions with human-centred design principles. Organisations must adopt comprehensive methods to identify, address, and prevent accessibility barriers proactively.

Implementing Accessible Design

Accessible design must be integrated from the initial development phases rather than added as an afterthought. Developers should adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards, currently at version 2.1, with level AA compliance as the minimum target for most organisations.

Design teams must consider how different users interact with digital content, particularly those using assistive technology such as:

• Screen readers
• Voice recognition software
• Alternative input devices
• Screen magnification tools

Colour choices require special attention, with a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Designers should verify this using contrast checkers rather than relying on visual assessment alone.

Semantic HTML structures provide the foundation for accessibility, creating a logical document outline that assistive technologies can interpret correctly. This includes proper heading hierarchy (H1-H6) and appropriate use of landmarks (nav, main, footer).

Conducting Accessibility Audits

Regular accessibility audits should combine automated testing with manual evaluation. Automated tools can typically identify approximately 30% of potential issues, whilst human testers historially have had to locate the remaining barriers.

The audit process should include:

• Automated scans, Fast, consistent, repeatable - Cannot detect contextual issues
• Manual expert review, Identifies complex issues, Time-intensive, requires expertise
• User testing, Reveals real-world problems, Logistically challenging

Organisations should prioritise findings based on impact rather than quantity. A critical issue affecting many users deserves immediate attention compared to minor issues with limited reach.

Testing with actual users of assistive technology provides invaluable insights that technical compliance checks cannot reveal. This approach identifies practical barriers that theoretical evaluations might miss.

It is important to add that with the advancement of artificial intelligence and agentic AI processes the capabilities are vastly improving.

Adopting Plain Language

Clear and straightforward communication benefits all users but is essential for those with cognitive disabilities or language processing challenges. Content creators must prioritise clarity over complexity.

Plain language principles include:

• Using active voice and direct phrasing
• Avoiding jargon, acronyms, and technical terminology
• Writing short, focused sentences and paragraphs
• Structuring content with clear headings and bullet points

Content should be written at approximately a year 9 reading level (ages 13-14) for general audiences. This ensures accessibility without compromising information quality.

Definitions of specialised terms should appear inline rather than requiring users to navigate elsewhere. This approach maintains context and reduces cognitive load for all users, particularly those with memory or attention difficulties.

How to Create and Maintain an Accessible Website

Building an accessible website requires commitment to established guidelines and regular input from users with disabilities. Both approaches ensure your site remains usable for everyone regardless of their abilities.

Adhering to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide comprehensive standards for digital accessibility. These guidelines are organised into three levels: A, AA, and AAA, with AA being the commonly accepted standard for most websites.

Key areas to focus on include:

• Perceivable content: Ensure text alternatives for non-text content
• Operable interfaces: Make all functionality available via keyboard
• Understandable information: Create content that is readable and predictable
• Robust code: Maximise compatibility with assistive technologies

Developers must test their sites with screen readers and other assistive technologies. Automated testing tools can identify up to 30% of accessibility issues, but manual testing remains essential.

Regular accessibility audits should be conducted quarterly to maintain compliance and prevent regression.

Incorporating Feedback from Users with Disabilities

Involving people with various disabilities in testing is crucial for genuine accessibility. Users with cognitive disabilities, low vision, or motor impairments provide invaluable insights that automated tools cannot detect.

Establish a feedback system specifically for accessibility concerns. This should include:

1. Direct user testing sessions with diverse participants
2. Accessible feedback forms on your website
3. Regular consultation with accessibility experts

Document all feedback methodically and prioritize issues based on impact. Critical barriers that prevent core functionality should be addressed immediately.

Remember that accessibility is not a one-time fix. User needs evolve, technologies change, and websites grow. Maintaining accessibility requires ongoing vigilance and adaptation to new challenges.