Presented by AudioEye

When I talk with customers or business leaders about digital accessibility, one concern repeatedly arises: What is the best and most efficient way to achieve compliance and reduce legal risk? The number of digital accessibility lawsuits is rising, and companies are looking for solutions that work for them now and in the future as their websites change.

Nearly two years ago, AudioEye’s inaugural Digital Accessibility Index uncovered a troubling reality. After testing over two million web pages, we found an average of 37 accessibility issues per page -- each a potential barrier for people with disabilities and a business liability.

Fast forward to 2025, and the numbers are even more staggering. With more advanced testing capabilities, our latest Index found an average of 297 accessibility issues per page. That’s not because digital accessibility has suddenly worsened, but because we can now detect far more issues than ever. These findings make clear that the accessibility gap is much larger than most businesses realize -- and with regulatory pressure mounting, companies can no longer afford to overlook it.

So why are so many companies still failing to meet accessibility standards, and what can they do to improve?

The internet is still broken for millions of disabled users

Many businesses assume that their websites are accessible or at least “good enough.” But the latest findings suggest otherwise. In our first Index, we found that companies struggle with fundamental accessibility issues -- particularly in images, links and forms. Two years later, those same issues continue to impact millions of disabled users.

To put the data into perspective, our latest analysis found that:

  • The average page contains 297 accessibility issues detectable by automation.

  • 38% of images had faulty or missing alternative text (alt text), preventing people with visual disabilities from understanding key content.

  • 80% of pages contained links with vague or missing descriptions, leaving screen reader users guessing their purpose.

  • 35% of pages featured forms without clear labels or instructions, making them difficult to navigate for users relying on assistive technology.

These numbers only account for issues detectable by automation. Our data shows that at least 33% of accessibility barriers require human testing to identify. That means the real scope of inaccessibility is even greater than the data suggests.

Accessibility issues that go unaddressed don’t just create problems for disabled users -- they create risks for businesses. Missing image descriptions prevent screen reader users from understanding content, unlabeled form fields block people from completing transactions and buttons that require a mouse exclude those who rely on keyboards or assistive technology. These are the types of violations that lead to lawsuits. And without proactive action, the legal risks will only continue to grow.

Why accessibility issues persist -- and what’s at stake

If the problem is so widespread, why aren’t businesses doing more to fix it? The reality is that many companies don’t realize they’re failing until it’s too late.

Digital accessibility isn’t static -- new content, design updates and third-party integrations constantly introduce new barriers. Without a proactive strategy, accessibility issues accumulate faster than they’re resolved, preventing the 1.3 billion people with disabilities worldwide from engaging with websites, purchasing products and accessing essential services.

In addition to accessibility being a fundamental human right, businesses that neglect accessibility face legal and financial risks. As lawsuits surge, non-compliance with laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the European Accessibility Act (EAA) puts organizations at risk of penalties, legal fees, reputational damage and lost revenue.

The cost of inaccessibility across industries

Failing to meet accessibility standards isn’t just a compliance issue -- it impacts the ability to use the website as intended. According to AudioEye’s data, here are a few specific industry comparisons:

  • Retail: Retail sites are the biggest offender, with 350+ accessibility issues per page. Inaccessibility on these sites, including missing alt text, makes product comparisons impossible, while inaccessible checkout forms can lead to abandoned carts.

  • Healthcare: Healthcare sites average 272 accessibility issues per page, making it difficult for patients to book appointments, review test results and access critical health information.

  • Government: Government sites have 307 accessibility issues per page, impacting users' ability to apply for benefits, pay taxes or access public resources.

  • Finance: Financial sites average 260 accessibility issues per page, which affects how people with disabilities can manage their finances or access documents.

It is important to reiterate that when a user cannot complete a key action on your site, your legal risk increases exponentially.

The path forward: A call to action

We’ve reached a tipping point. Businesses can no longer afford to treat digital accessibility as an afterthought or a box to check. Their digital strategy must consider accessibility.

The stakes are even higher for retail, healthcare, government and finance industries. Accessibility issues in these sectors don't just create frustration -- they block access to essential services. Whether it’s a healthcare portal that a visually impaired person can’t use or a tax payment system that’s impossible for a motor-impaired person to navigate, these barriers prevent people from accessing the services they need.

Here’s where businesses should focus:

  • Use automation -- but don’t rely on it alone. Automated tools help detect common issues, but they can’t catch everything. A hybrid approach that combines cutting-edge AI automation with expert testing provides the most accurate results. Automation is critical for efficiently identifying a large volume of issues, but expert testing ensures accuracy and uncovers issues that automation might miss.

  • Prioritize accessibility in high-impact areas. Not all web pages carry equal risk. Businesses should start with key user journeys -- checkout flows, login portals and forms -- where accessibility barriers most impact customers.

  • Make accessibility an ongoing effort. Fixing issues once isn’t enough. Websites change constantly, and accessibility must be considered when updating content.

The good news is that it's not too late to act. Businesses that prioritize accessibility now will position themselves as industry leaders, driving better user experiences and fostering customer loyalty while reducing legal and compliance risks.

The road ahead is clear. Digital accessibility isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have for the future of business.

David Moradi is CEO of AudioEye.

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