Accessibility Checker For Website Vs Wave Accessibility Tool
When a new website launches, it is common to run an accessibility checker for website compliance, and many teams rely on the Wave accessibility tool for this purpose. On paper, the results can look impressive. We recently reviewed a site that achieved zero errors across every page using this automated tool, yet within seconds of testing it with a screen reader, we discovered multiple accessibility barriers. These were issues that any real user with disabilities would have encountered, proving that automated tools are never a replacement for human testing.
Why An Accessibility Checker For Website Compliance Is Not Enough
An accessibility checker for website development can be a helpful starting point, but it is far from comprehensive. These tools work by scanning code and identifying potential issues based on a set of programmed rules. While this might sound thorough, the reality is that automated checks only capture around 30 to 40 percent of accessibility issues.
Critical barriers like poor keyboard navigation, inaccessible forms, or incorrect focus management are rarely detected by an accessibility checker for website compliance. This is because such problems require understanding the actual user experience, which involves testing with assistive technologies such as screen readers or voice commands. Without this, developers often believe a website is fully accessible when, in fact, it fails to meet the needs of disabled users.
What The Wave Accessibility Tool Actually Tests
The Wave accessibility tool is one of the most well-known automated scanners available. It can quickly highlight missing alt text, colour contrast failures, and structural problems such as improper heading levels. It also identifies broken ARIA labels and highlights when elements are missing roles or states.
However, while the Wave accessibility tool can offer a clean-looking report, it does not replicate the experience of a person using assistive technology. For instance, a page may look correct visually and have all alt text filled in, but the descriptions could be unhelpful, misleading, or repetitive for screen reader users. Wave will not pick up on these nuances, leaving significant gaps.
Common Problems Missed By An Accessibility Checker For Website
An accessibility checker for website compliance does not test dynamic elements effectively. Interactive components such as pop-ups, carousels, or dropdown menus often present significant accessibility challenges. A tool might mark them as “error-free,” but a user navigating with a keyboard or screen reader could find them unusable.
Another frequent issue is with video content. Automated tools can confirm that a video exists, but they do not check for accurate captions or audio descriptions. A video with incorrect or incomplete captions is inaccessible for deaf users, even if the checker passes it. These are just a few of the many limitations of relying solely on an accessibility checker for website compliance.
Limitations Of The Wave Accessibility Tool In Real Audits
The Wave accessibility tool can create a false sense of security. A clean “zero errors” report can lead businesses to believe they have achieved full accessibility, but this is rarely true. The tool is best viewed as a quick diagnostic, not a certification of compliance.
During a recent review, we saw a site that passed every page on Wave, yet a quick test with a screen reader revealed fundamental problems. The navigation was confusing, form labels were inconsistent, and dynamic content was invisible to assistive technologies. The client was shocked because they had relied on the Wave accessibility tool as proof of compliance. This experience highlights the danger of over-reliance on automated testing.
How To Use An Accessibility Checker For Website As A Starting Point
An accessibility checker for website design should be treated as the first step, not the final measure. Automated checks can help identify obvious problems, like missing alt text or poor colour contrast, but they are no substitute for manual testing.
A good approach is to run the accessibility checker for website pages early during development and fix the initial errors it finds. Then, bring in accessibility experts and disabled testers to review the site. Combining both methods gives you the accuracy of human testing along with the speed of automated tools. This ensures that the site works for everyone, not just for the code validators.
Why Passing The Wave Accessibility Tool Does Not Guarantee Compliance
Passing the Wave accessibility tool does not mean a site meets WCAG 2.2 AA standards or legal requirements under the Equality Act or European Accessibility Act. The tool only checks for a subset of issues and cannot assess real-world usability.
For example, the Wave accessibility tool cannot tell if a link description makes sense to a blind user. It might detect that a link has a label, but if the label simply says “Click here” or “More,” the tool will still pass it. For compliance and user experience, descriptive and meaningful labels are essential.
The Role Of Manual Testing Alongside An Accessibility Checker For Website
Manual testing is the backbone of accessibility. While an accessibility checker for website compliance is a good first step, it must be complemented by human evaluation. This includes keyboard-only navigation tests, screen reader walkthroughs, and usability checks with real users.
Manual testing ensures that the context, logic, and flow of a site are accessible. For instance, a screen reader might read every element on a page, but if the content is not structured properly, the user experience becomes confusing. Automated tools simply cannot detect this level of detail.
How To Combine The Wave Accessibility Tool With User Testing
The Wave accessibility tool should be part of a layered strategy. Start with Wave to catch easy-to-fix problems, then bring in accessibility experts and disabled testers to validate the user experience.
One practical approach is to run Wave, fix the flagged issues, and then conduct manual audits focusing on navigation, form completion, and dynamic content. This hybrid method ensures that both obvious and hidden problems are addressed, resulting in a site that is not only compliant but genuinely user-friendly.
Real Stories That Prove An Accessibility Checker For Website Can Fail
We recently encountered a client whose website passed every page on an accessibility checker for website compliance, including the Wave accessibility tool. However, the site was completely unusable with a screen reader. Basic navigation failed, interactive elements were broken, and the focus order made no sense.
The client had invested heavily in development, assuming that a clean automated report equalled compliance. They were shocked to learn that the website excluded large groups of users. This case proves that automated tools can fail spectacularly when used as the only form of testing.
Lessons From A Site That Passed The Wave Accessibility Tool But Failed Users
The website mentioned earlier passed the Wave accessibility tool without a single error. However, within 10 seconds of testing it with assistive technology, we found critical issues. The Menu could simply not be used with a screen reader. That was just the beginning!
This situation demonstrates that the Wave accessibility tool is not capable of replicating real-world user behaviour. Only by involving disabled people in the testing process can you ensure that a site works for all users, regardless of ability.
The client was stunned to learn that they had invested in a site that looked accessible only because the wrong metric had been used. We proposed a full accessibility audit, including real testing by disabled users, to identify and fix the problems. The lesson here is clear: passing automated checks does not mean your site is truly accessible.
Screen Reader Testing That Revealed The Truth
During our review of the tendered site, we used screen readers such as NVDA and VoiceOver to simulate the experience of a blind user. The findings were immediate and not a minor inconvenience.
For a blind user, if you cannot navigtate the menu on a website, you simply cannot use it. An accessibility checker for website compliance, including the Wave accessibility tool, could not detect these real-world barriers.
Legal Risks Of Relying Solely On Automated Tools
The European Accessibility Act, which came into force last month (June 2025), will make accessibility compliance mandatory for any business serving customers in the EU. Passing the Wave accessibility tool will not protect a business from legal action if the site is not usable for people with disabilities.
Similarly, in the UK, the Equality Act 2010 requires reasonable adjustments to ensure that services are not discriminatory. A website that fails basic screen reader testing could be considered non-compliant, even if an automated report says “zero errors.”
When To Invest Beyond An Accessibility Checker For Website
An accessibility checker for website testing is valuable during the build phase, but once a site is live, a full accessibility audit is essential. An audit includes testing by disabled users, technical reviews, and expert analysis of WCAG compliance.
If your business serves customers in the EU, the upcoming European Accessibility Act will make this level of testing a legal requirement. Investing now will prevent expensive retrofits and potential legal issues later.
Should You Trust The Wave Accessibility Tool As Your Only Check
The short answer is no. The Wave accessibility tool is a useful tool in your toolkit, but it should never be your only check. Accessibility requires a comprehensive approach that includes both automated and manual testing.
By relying solely on Wave or any other automated tool, you risk excluding users, damaging your reputation, and facing legal action. True accessibility is about ensuring that everyone can use your website, not just passing a set of automated rules.
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Take Action And Go Beyond Automated Checks
Relying solely on an accessibility checker for website compliance or the Wave accessibility tool is like checking a car’s paintwork without looking under the bonnet. A site can look perfect on paper yet fail real users in seconds. True accessibility requires testing by experts and disabled users who can uncover what automated tools miss. If your business is serious about compliance and avoiding legal risk, a full accessibility audit is the only way forward.
Book your audit today and ensure your website is genuinely accessible to everyone.
