Common Accessibility Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Everyone must have an equal opportunity to access information and services online. However, despite growing awareness of this, the 2025 WebAIM accessibility report found an average of 50.8 errors per page.

While this was a 10.3% decrease from 2024 numbers (56.8 errors/page), the issue still remains.

Here are the most common accessibility pitfalls that appear across websites and that you must address:

Poor Color Contrast: An Invisible Barrier

Low color contrast between text and background is the most widespread accessibility issue, affecting 85% of websites according to WebAIM. For users with visual impairments or color blindness, insufficient contrast can make content unreadable or difficult to perceive.

To address this issue:

• Ensure text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 against its background.

• Use color contrast checkers like User1st's Color Ratio Checker to verify compliance.

• Consider how your site appears in different lighting conditions and on various devices.

• Avoid presenting information through color alone; always include text labels or patterns.

Missing Alternative Text: The Invisible Gap

The WebAIM report also noted that 18.5% of all home page images (11 per page on average) had missing alternative text. When screen reader users encounter images without alt text, they miss important visual content, creating a frustrating experience.

To fix this accessibility gap:

• Add descriptive alt text to all meaningful images

• Keep alt text concise but thorough (aim for 125 characters or less)

• Focus on conveying the purpose and content of the image

• For decorative images, use empty alt text (alt="") to have screen readers skip them

Keyboard Navigation Issues: Trapped Users

Many individuals with disabilities rely exclusively on keyboards to navigate websites. Common keyboard navigation problems include:

• Elements that cannot be accessed via keyboard

• Focus on indicators that are missing or difficult to see

• Keyboard traps where users cannot move beyond a certain element

• An illogical focus order that doesn't follow the visual layout

The solution requires attention to detail:

• Test your site using only a keyboard (no mouse)

• Ensure all interactive elements can be reached and activated with Tab, Enter, and Space

• Provide visible focus indicators that clearly show which element is currently selected

• For complex interactions like drag-and-drop, offer keyboard alternatives (like "Move Up/Down" buttons)

Form Field Accessibility: Conversion Blocker

Forms are critical conversion points but frequently present accessibility barriers. Common issues include:

• Missing or improperly associated form labels

• Error messages that aren't programmatically linked to their fields

• Required fields without proper indication to screen readers

• Automatic form submission or time limits without user control

To create accessible forms:

• Explicitly associate labels with their form controls using the "for" attribute

• Ensure error messages are programmatically linked to their respective fields

• Clearly identify required fields both visually and programmatically

• Allow users to extend or remove time limits on forms

Document Structure Issues: Lost in Navigation

Proper document structure using headings, landmarks, and semantic HTML helps users navigate content efficiently. Without this structure, screen reader users may struggle to find information.

Key structure issues include:

• Missing or improperly nested headings (e.g., skipping from H1 to H3)

• Lack of ARIA landmarks to identify main content areas

• Non-semantic HTML that fails to communicate content relationships

• Reading order that doesn't match the visual presentation

To improve document structure:

• Use headings (H1-H6) in sequential order without skipping levels

• Implement ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) landmarks for navigation, main content, and other major sections

• Choose semantic HTML elements (like <nav>, <main>, <section>) over generic <div> tags

• Verify the reading order matches the visual presentation of content

Mobile Accessibility: An Overlooked Dimension

As mobile usage increases, accessibility issues specific to mobile devices require closer attention. Common pitfalls here include:

• Touch targets that are too small for users with motor impairments

• Complex gestures without alternative interaction methods

• Fixed orientation that prevents users from rotating the screen

• Content that doesn't reflow when zoomed

Mobile accessibility solutions include:

• Making touch targets at least 44×44 pixels

• Providing alternative methods to perform gesture-based actions

• Supporting both portrait and landscape orientations

• Ensuring content reflows properly when zoomed to 400%

Automated Accessibility Overlays: A False Solution

Many organizations deploy accessibility overlay tools, believing they provide a quick fix for accessibility issues. However, these tools often create more problems than they solve:

• They don't address underlying code issues

• They can interfere with assistive technologies

• They rarely bring sites into full compliance

• They may create a false sense of security

Building Accessibility Into Your Process

Rather than treating accessibility as an afterthought, weave it into your development workflow.

Start with education and ensure your team understands why accessibility matters. Build accessibility considerations into design phases, considering color contrast and interaction patterns from the start. Test throughout development using both automated tools and manual testing.

Most importantly, involve people with disabilities in your testing process. Their real-world experience unlocks insights that automated testing alone cannot provide.

Not sure if your app is accessible? Reach out to our team to explore our mobile app solutions and uncover issues before your users have to!