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3 Shocking Accessibility Fails We Found in Our Audits (and How They’re Costing You Customers)

Picture of Oliver Lewandowski
Oliver Lewandowski
Accessibility Audit

In today’s digital landscape, accessibility is not just a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity. Shockingly, over 96% of the world’s top one million web pages are not accessible, meaning that less than 4% of the most popular websites are capitalizing on the disability market, which is largely underserved and growing (Source: WebAIM). This oversight not only alienates a significant portion of potential customers but also poses a serious risk to businesses that fail to prioritize inclusivity.

During our recent accessibility audits, we uncovered some alarming fails that could be costing companies dearly. These issues not only hinder user experience but can also lead to lost revenue and frustrated customers. In this post, we’ll reveal three of the most shocking accessibility issues we found and explain how they can impact your bottom line. By addressing these failures, you can create a more inclusive online environment that benefits everyone and taps into a market that is often overlooked.

Fail 1: Inaccessible Forms

One of the biggest accessibility issues we see is inaccessible forms. When forms on your website lack clear labels, instructions, or easy navigation, it can create major hurdles for users, especially those with disabilities. This might look like missing labels for input fields, confusing error messages, or forms that are difficult to understand.

Why Should We Care?

Forms are crucial for user interaction—whether it’s signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase, or submitting a question. If your forms aren’t accessible, you’re shutting out a significant number of potential customers. With over 1 billion people worldwide living with some form of disability (Source: World Health Organization), many rely on assistive technologies to navigate online. If your forms don’t work for them, you’re missing out on a valuable audience.

Common Mistakes

1. Insufficient Labeling of Form Fields
Impact

Labels are essential for guiding users through forms, especially for those using screen readers. Without clear labels, users may not understand what information is needed, leading to frustration and abandonment of the form.

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2. Improper Association Between Labels and Inputs
Impact

If labels are not properly associated with their corresponding input fields, screen readers may not convey the necessary information to users, leading to misunderstandings and incomplete submissions.

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3. Confusing Multiple Labels for a Single Input
Impact

Having more than one label for a single input field can create confusion, as users may not know which label to follow, resulting in frustration and potential errors.

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4. Lack of Connection Between Error Messages and Input Fields
Impact

When error messages are not clearly associated with the relevant input fields, users may struggle to identify which part of the form needs correction. This can lead to confusion and frustration, causing them to abandon the form.

Standards

Fail 2: Broken Keyboard Navigation

Many websites fail to provide adequate keyboard navigation, making it difficult for users who rely on keyboards instead of a mouse to interact with forms and other interactive elements. This can include issues such as not allowing users to tab through form fields in a logical order or having interactive elements that are not accessible via keyboard.

Why Should We Care?

Approximately 2.5 billion people need at least one assistive product, such as a wheelchair or a mobile app that supports communication (Source: World Health Organization). Keyboard navigation is essential for users with mobility impairments, as well as those who may not have access to a mouse. If your website does not support keyboard navigation, you are effectively excluding a significant portion of your audience.

Common Mistakes

1. Non-Accessible Interactive Elements
Impact

Buttons, links, and other interactive elements that cannot be accessed via keyboard prevent users from engaging with your site.

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2. Illogical Tab Order
Impact

If the tab order of interactive elements is not logical, users may find it difficult to navigate through the form or page, leading to confusion and frustration.

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3. Lack of Visible Focus Indicators
Impact

When users navigate using the keyboard, they need to see which element is currently focused. If there are no visible focus indicators, users may not know where they are on the page.

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4. Inaccessible Dropdowns and Menus
Impact

Dropdowns and menus that cannot be navigated using the keyboard can prevent users from accessing important content or options.

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Fail 3: Lack of Clear Headings and Structure

Many websites lack a clear hierarchy of headings and structure, making it difficult for users to navigate content effectively. When headings are missing or improperly used, users, especially those relying on screen readers, may struggle to understand the organization of the information presented.

Why Should We Care?

It is estimated that globally only 36% of people with distance vision impairment due to refractive error and only 17% of people with vision impairment due to cataract have received access to an appropriate intervention (Source: World Health Organization). This highlights the significant number of individuals who may be navigating your website with visual impairments. For these users, having a well-structured website is crucial for accessing information efficiently. Clear headings help all users, including those with cognitive disabilities, to scan and comprehend content quickly. If your website lacks a logical structure, you risk alienating a significant portion of your audience.

Common Mistakes

1. Improper Use of Heading Tags
Impact

Using heading tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) incorrectly or not at all can confuse users about the content hierarchy, making it difficult to understand the relationship between sections.

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2. Lack of Descriptive Headings
Impact

Headings that are vague or non-descriptive do not provide users with a clear understanding of the content that follows, making navigation more difficult.

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3. Missing Headings for Key Sections
Impact

Failing to provide headings for important sections of content can leave users unsure about where to find specific information, leading to frustration.

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4. Overuse of Heading Tags
Impact

Overusing heading tags for styling purposes rather than for structure can confuse users and assistive technologies, leading to a poor user experience.

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Real-World Examples

At SolDevelo, we have successfully conducted accessibility audits for various projects, including OpenIMIS, OpenLMIS, and OpenMRS. These test cases highlight our commitment to improving digital inclusivity and ensuring that all users can access essential services.

If you’re interested in learning more about our work and how we can help your organization, check out these case studies and see the impact of our accessibility audits:

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Call To Action

Are you ready to enhance the accessibility and inclusivity of your website? Partner with SolDevelo to create a digital presence that welcomes everyone. Our tailored accessibility audits will help you identify and address issues, leading to a more enjoyable online experience for all users. Don’t hesitate – reach out to us today for a complimentary initial consultation and take the first step toward a more inclusive future!

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