Accessibility Audit

Accessibility Audit is the process of evaluating a digital product—such as a website, mobile app, or document—for compliance with accessibility standards and guidelines. It involves both automated and manual testing to identify barriers that may prevent people with disabilities from accessing and interacting with the content effectively. The audit results in actionable recommendations to improve accessibility, usability, and inclusivity.

Expanded Definition

An accessibility audit serves as a comprehensive health check for the inclusivity of digital interfaces. Conducted by accessibility specialists, these audits assess how well a product adheres to recognized accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), Section 508, and international regulations like the European Accessibility Act (EAA). The goal is to create experiences that are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for users of all abilities.

Unlike usability testing that focuses on general user experience, accessibility audits specifically evaluate how users with disabilities—including those using assistive technologies like screen readers, keyboard navigation, or voice commands—can navigate and interact with the product. By uncovering both obvious and nuanced barriers, accessibility audits help designers and developers build more inclusive digital environments.

Key Aspects of an Accessibility Audit

• Scope
  Can include websites, mobile apps, software interfaces, PDFs, and other digital assets.
• Testing Methods
  • Automated Testing: Tools scan for common issues such as missing alt text, improper heading structures, or contrast errors.
  • Manual Testing: Human reviewers simulate real-world usage with assistive technologies to uncover more complex issues.
  • Code Review: Evaluates semantic HTML and ARIA attributes for proper structure and support.
• Standards and Guidelines
  Audits are typically benchmarked against:
  • WCAG 2.1 or 2.2
  • Section 508 (U.S.)
  • ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
  • EAA (European Accessibility Act)
• Remediation Guidance
  Audit reports include prioritized, actionable recommendations for resolving identified barriers—ranging from quick fixes to structural changes.
• Compliance vs. Usability
  While compliance is important, an effective audit also considers the real-world usability for people with disabilities, not just rule-checking.

Why Accessibility Audits Are Important

• Inclusivity
  Ensures that all users, regardless of ability, can fully participate in and benefit from digital content.
• Legal Protection
  Helps mitigate legal risks and ensures compliance with international accessibility laws and policies.
• Improved User Experience
  Many accessibility enhancements also benefit users without disabilities—such as improved navigation, clearer structure, and better performance.
• SEO Benefits
  Accessible sites often have clean code and meaningful content structure, which can boost search engine visibility.
• Reputation and Trust
  Demonstrates a brand’s commitment to digital equity and social responsibility, building trust with users and stakeholders.

Examples of Accessibility Audit Outcomes

• Identifying missing alt text on product images.
• Flagging interactive elements (e.g., buttons or links) that are not keyboard-accessible.
• Detecting insufficient color contrast that affects readability.
• Recommending improvements for screen reader compatibility on dynamic content.
• Suggesting more descriptive error messaging and form validation cues.

Design Considerations

• Accessibility should be built into the product development lifecycle—not treated as an afterthought.
• Regular audits (e.g., quarterly or post-redesign) can help maintain compliance and inclusivity over time.
• Involve users with disabilities in usability testing to validate accessibility in practice.

Back to Glossary Index Page