Web accessibility tools and issues and fixes

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 Web accessibility (often abbreviated as a11y) refers to making websites and web applications usable for all people, including those with disabilities. Accessibility is critical because it ensures that everyone, regardless of physical or cognitive limitations, can access and interact with content on the web.

In 2025, there are numerous tools for checking accessibility issues, as well as common accessibility issues developers face. Here’s an overview of the tools, issues, and fixes related to web accessibility:

Web Accessibility Tools (2025)

  1. Lighthouse (Chrome DevTools)

    • Description: A widely used open-source tool for auditing the performance, accessibility, SEO, and best practices of web pages.
    • Key Features:
      • Automated accessibility audits that provide detailed reports.
      • Suggests improvements and fixes for accessibility issues.
      • Can be accessed from Chrome DevTools, or used as a command-line tool.
    • How to Use: In Chrome DevTools, open the Lighthouse tab, select Accessibility, and generate a report.

  2. Axe by Deque

    • Description: A powerful and popular accessibility testing tool. It offers browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, along with an API that can be integrated into development workflows.
    • Key Features:
      • Identifies accessibility issues directly in the browser.
      • Provides detailed guidance on how to fix common issues.
      • Integrates with popular test frameworks like Selenium and Jest.
    • How to Use: Install the browser extension, then run an audit on the page to get an accessibility score and issues.

  3. WAVE (WebAIM)

    • Description: WAVE is a web-based tool for evaluating the accessibility of web content. It provides visual feedback by highlighting accessibility issues directly on the page.
    • Key Features:
      • Highlights issues directly on the page, such as missing alt text or contrast issues.
      • Offers a breakdown of errors and suggestions for fixing them.
      • Provides integration with Chrome and Firefox as extensions.
    • How to Use: Go to WAVE and enter a URL to get an accessibility report.

  4. Tota11y

    • Description: Tota11y is a JavaScript accessibility visualization tool that makes it easy to see accessibility issues on the page without requiring a complex audit.
    • Key Features:
      • Displays accessibility issues directly on the page with a toolbar.
      • Provides quick visual feedback and descriptions of issues.
      • Lightweight and customizable.
    • How to Use: Include the Tota11y script on your page (or install the Chrome extension), and interact with the toolbar to check for accessibility issues.

  5. Assistive Technologies (Screen Readers)

    • Description: Testing websites with actual assistive technologies, like screen readers, is one of the most important ways to ensure accessibility.
    • Common Screen Readers:
      • NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access): A free, open-source screen reader for Windows.
      • JAWS (Job Access With Speech): A paid screen reader for Windows, widely used in professional environments.
      • VoiceOver: The built-in screen reader for macOS and iOS.
      • TalkBack: A screen reader for Android devices.
    • How to Use: Test your site or application by navigating with a screen reader to ensure all content is read out and navigable.

Common Web Accessibility Issues and Fixes

1. Missing Alt Text for Images

  • Issue: Images that don’t have alt text are inaccessible to users relying on screen readers.
  • Fix:
    • Ensure all images have descriptive alt text.
    • For decorative images, use an empty alt attribute (alt=""), so screen readers can ignore them.
    • Example:
      html
      <img src="logo.png" alt="Company Logo">

2. Poor Color Contrast

  • Issue: Text with insufficient contrast against the background can be hard to read, particularly for users with visual impairments.
  • Fix:
    • Ensure a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (as per WCAG 2.1).
    • Tools like Color Contrast Analyzer or Lighthouse can check contrast ratios.
    • Example:
      css
      color: #000000; /* Black text */
background-color: #ffffff; /* White background */

3. Unclear or Missing Focus Indicators

  • Issue: Keyboard-only users (e.g., users with motor disabilities) need visible focus indicators to know where they are on a page.
  • Fix:
    • Use CSS to ensure all interactive elements (like buttons and links) have a visible focus indicator.
    • Customize the :focus state for interactive elements to make it clear.
    • Example:
      css
      button:focus {
  outline: 3px solid #f39c12; /* Highlight focused button */
}

4. Incorrect HTML Markup

  • Issue: Incorrect use of HTML elements or missing semantic HTML (e.g., using <div> or <span> instead of <button> or <a>) can make a site confusing or inaccessible to screen readers.
  • Fix:
    • Use semantic HTML elements (<header>, <main>, <footer>, <article>, <button>, etc.) to improve accessibility.
    • Ensure elements have the correct roles and attributes, like role="button" when using a div for a button-like element.
    • Example:
      html
      <button>Submit</button> <!-- Correct semantic element -->

5. Keyboard Navigation Issues

  • Issue: Users who cannot use a mouse rely on keyboard navigation to interact with web pages. Missing keyboard shortcuts or inaccessible form controls can prevent them from navigating.
  • Fix:
    • Ensure all interactive elements can be reached and used with the keyboard (e.g., Tab to navigate, Enter to activate, and Esc to close).
    • Add appropriate tabindex values to control focus order, especially in custom widgets like modals or dropdowns.
    • Example:
      html
      <button tabindex="0">Submit</button> <!-- Ensure button is focusable -->

6. Non-Descriptive Links

  • Issue: Links that don’t provide enough context for screen readers can confuse users.
  • Fix:
    • Use descriptive link text that clearly communicates the link's purpose.
    • Avoid using non-informative text like "Click here" or "Read more."
    • Example:
      html
      <a href="/contact">Contact Us</a> <!-- Descriptive link text -->

7. Missing Form Labels

  • Issue: Forms without proper labels can be confusing, particularly for users with screen readers.
  • Fix:
    • Ensure each form input has a corresponding <label> element that clearly describes the field.
    • Use for attributes to associate labels with input fields.
    • Example:
      html
      <label for="email">Email:</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email">

8. Dynamic Content and ARIA Live Regions

  • Issue: Content that changes dynamically (e.g., with JavaScript) may not be announced by screen readers if proper accessibility features aren’t in place.
  • Fix:
    • Use ARIA live regions (aria-live="polite" or aria-live="assertive") to announce dynamic content changes.
    • Use ARIA roles to help screen readers understand the purpose of dynamic elements.
    • Example:
      html
      <div aria-live="assertive">New message received!</div>

9. Inaccessible Multimedia (Videos, Audios)

  • Issue: Users with visual or hearing impairments may not be able to interact with multimedia content.
  • Fix:
    • Provide captions for video content.
    • Ensure videos are accessible with keyboard and provide transcripts where possible.
    • Use aria-describedby for describing videos or audio content.
    • Example:
      html
      <video controls>
  <source src="video.mp4" type="video/mp4">
  <track kind="subtitles" src="video-subtitles-en.vtt" srclang="en" label="English">
</video>

Conclusion

Ensuring your website is accessible is not just a good practice—it's a legal requirement in many countries. Web accessibility tools help automate the detection of common issues, but manual testing, including user feedback from those who use assistive technologies, is essential for ensuring comprehensive accessibility.

By using the right tools and fixing common accessibility issues, you can make your website more inclusive and usable for all users, regardless of their abilities.

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