Some inaccessibility stats
Despite decades of effort, inaccessibility remains the default experience for most disabled users online. According to the 2024 WebAIM Million Report, 95.9 per cent of the top one million homepages still failed at least one WCAG checkpoint. That number barely moved from the 97.4 per cent failure rate I quoted in my TED Talk back in 2022. It is easy to feel disheartened by these figures, but a closer look reveals something else. When paired with a reliable accessibility website test, these numbers become more than just depressing statistics. They become fuel for change.
Inaccessibility By The Numbers
Let us take a closer look. The WebAIM report scanned the homepages of the world’s most visited websites. Year after year, the same issues emerge: missing alternative text, links without labels, poor heading structure, low colour contrast. The technical failures are easy to identify and well documented.
And yet, they remain. Why?
Because accessibility is still seen as optional. Something to be patched later. The result is a digital world where inaccessibility is not the exception — it is the norm.
What Do The Stats Actually Tell Us?
The 1.9 percentage point improvement since 2019 may seem insignificant. But that tiny shift represents tens of thousands of homepages that are now more usable. It shows that change is possible. Someone advocated. Someone acted.
And here is the key: these are not expensive fixes. Most of the violations picked up in an accessibility website test are simple. Add alt text. Fix contrast. Use labels. It is not rocket science. It is routine care.
The Value Of An Accessibility Website Test
Automated tools are not perfect. They miss context, nuance, and lived experience. But they are a great starting point. Running an accessibility website test helps uncover basic errors fast. These tests highlight where your website breaks the rules — and where it breaks trust with disabled users.
That is why we use testing in every audit we do. Not just automated scans, but live testing with disabled people who use screen readers, keyboard navigation, magnifiers and more. That is how we find the real barriers — the ones tools alone cannot catch.
Inaccessibility Is a Leadership Issue
Organisations do not lack awareness. They lack ownership. Accessibility is often treated as a technical detail instead of a strategic priority. Until leadership sees inaccessibility as a reputational risk, nothing truly shifts.
That is why we recommend setting accessibility KPIs at the executive level. It should be part of your design briefs, part of procurement, part of delivery timelines. Inaccessibility needs to be seen not as unfortunate — but as unacceptable.
Lessons From 2024: What We Can Still Learn
The numbers may be disappointing, but they are also clear. There is no mystery about what needs fixing. We have the tools. We have the standards. We have the people ready to help. What we need now is follow-through.
The rise of legal action across the US and Europe is a warning shot. As compliance deadlines like the European Accessibility Act come into force, the cost of inaccessibility is rising. But more importantly, so is the opportunity to do better.
Fixes Do Not Have To Be Flashy
Some of the most impactful fixes are the most boring. Changing a button label. Fixing a form field. Updating contrast on a call to action. These tweaks may never trend on LinkedIn — but they matter deeply to someone trying to make a purchase, submit a form, or simply read your content.
Progress will not come in viral bursts. It will come in thoughtful, repeated decisions to prioritise access every step of the way.
How We Help Close The Gap
At Access by Design, we specialise in helping businesses eliminate inaccessibility at the root. Our audits include both automated accessibility website tests and manual testing by disabled users. We do not rely on overlays or gimmicks. We help you identify real issues and fix them properly.
The result is a site that not only performs better in search engines but is usable by more people, more of the time.
Let’s Make The Web Work For Everyone
If you are ready to move beyond awareness and start fixing the problem, we are here to help. Start with an accessibility audit and let us work together to remove the barriers standing in your users’ way.
Small Fixes. Big Impact.
Inaccessibility is not inevitable. It is the result of choices — choices we can change. One test, one page, one fix at a time.
