Web accessibility has been gaining more importance, and as 2024 has just ended, it’s the perfect time to see where things stand.
WebAIM evaluated the accessibility of the top 1,000,000 websites, ranked by Tranco, using their WAVE tool to analyse their home pages.
In this article, we’ll highlight the most important findings from their report to help you understand the current state of web accessibility.
Of the home pages evaluated, 95.9% were not fully WCAG 2 compliant, meaning they had at least one detectable WCAG violation.
Note that this result is based on automated testing, which can identify only 20-30% of potential WCAG violations. If so many websites fail even automated checks, imagine how many more problems a full, manual review would uncover.
Make it right: Regularly audit your website using reliable tools like WebYes to identify and rectify WCAG non-conformities.
Low contrast text (insufficient colour contrast between text and its background) impacts 81% of the home pages evaluated.
This failure makes content difficult to read, especially for users with visual impairments, highlighting the need for better design practices.
Make it right: Utilise colour contrast checkers to ensure text meets WCAG’s minimum contrast ratios. Aim for a ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
Around 21.6% of images on the evaluated home pages lack alternative text, excluding those with alt="" or marked as decorative.
Without descriptive alt text, users relying on assistive technologies miss critical information, significantly hindering their experience.
Make it right: Ensure all images include meaningful alt text that conveys their purpose. Use tools such as Alt Text generator AI to make your job easier. Also, read our detailed guide on how to write alt text for images.
Approximately 48.6% of the evaluated home pages have form inputs without proper labels.
Missing labels make it difficult for users relying on assistive technologies to navigate and complete forms effectively.
Make it right: Assign clear, descriptive labels to every form field using the <label> element. Ensure each label is programmatically associated with its corresponding input to facilitate screen reader navigation.
Skipped heading levels were identified on 42.2% of the evaluated websites, disrupting the logical structure of content.
This issue creates challenges for users relying on assistive technologies to understand and navigate the page hierarchy.
Make it right: Implement a logical heading hierarchy, starting with a single <h1> for the main title, followed by <h2>, <h3>, etc., in descending order. Avoid skipping heading levels to maintain a coherent structure.
ARIA attributes were present on 80% of the evaluated pages, but their misuse often led to more accessibility errors.
Improper implementation of ARIA can create additional barriers for users, emphasizing the importance of using it only when necessary and correctly.
Make it right: Use native HTML elements whenever possible, resorting to ARIA only when necessary. Follow best practices for ARIA implementation to prevent introducing new accessibility issues.
Ambiguous link text, such as “click here” or “read more,” was found on 18% of the evaluated pages.
This lack of descriptive text makes it difficult for users relying on assistive technologies to understand the purpose or destination of the links.
Make it right: Write descriptive link text that provides context. For example, use “Download the accessibility guide” instead of “Click here.”
Shockingly, only 3.6% of evaluated home pages included functional skip links, also known as “Skip to main content” links.
Without skip links, users who rely on keyboards or screen readers must tab through multiple elements, creating a frustrating and time-consuming experience.
Make it right: Implement a “Skip to main content” link at the top of your webpage. Ensure it is visible when focused and fully functional on all devices and browsers.
It is concerning that in 2024, 95.9% of websites failed automated accessibility checks, which cover only a fraction of WCAG guidelines. This highlights the need for better awareness and enforcement of web accessibility standards.
However, there is hope. The upcoming EAA, growing shift-left adoption, and rising accessibility lawsuits are driving change. These factors could make 2025 a pivotal year for building a more inclusive and accessible web.
The current state of web accessibility reveals that approx. 95% of tested websites fail to prioritise accessibility for disabled users. This alarming figure represents millions of people being left out – and your website shouldn’t be part of this statistic.
You have the power to make a difference. By committing to accessibility, you can ensure your website welcomes everyone. And you don’t have to do it alone – tools like WebYes are here to help you achieve this impactful goal.
Take the first step today – start your accessibility audit now and make your website work for everyone.
Note: The statistics in this 2024 State of Website Accessibility report are sourced from WebAIM.
Article by
Melwyn holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and has been writing professionally for over 4 years. He has a strong background in SEO and is certified in web accessibility from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). When he's not writing about website optimisation, you can find him enjoying a game of FIFA or exploring the open world of GTA.
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