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Top five most common mistakes in web accessibility

With the Web Accessibility Act coming into effect in June 2025, accessibility is more relevant than ever.

Over the years, I’ve worked with countless digital projects – both in the public and private sectors – where I’ve seen firsthand how strong user experiences and web accessibility go hand in hand. Simply put, accessible design is good design. When we make it easier for people with disabilities to use a website, we’re also enhancing the experience for every single visitor. 

That’s why I’d like to share the top five most common mistakes I see in web accessibility, along with tips on how to avoid them. By approaching accessibility as an integral part of your UX- and design strategy, you set the stage for solutions that truly work for everyone.  

Web accessibilityWe believe that accessibility is the foundation of great design and creates value for everyone.

1. Treating accessibility as something we fix at the end of the project.

Web accessibility isn’t easy, and it can be cumbersome to repair it, if the website hasn’t taken accessibility seriously when building it. Yes, it is possible to add an extra layer of code to fix the errors, but if the website was built correctly from scratch, you wouldn’t need to. 

Solution

Make accessibility a key criterion early in the project. This way, your UX, design, and development teams can collaborate on user-friendly solutions that are built right from the beginning. 

2. Over-reliance on automated testing

Automated tools are a great place to start, but they catch only about 50% of accessibility issues. They miss nuances that require human judgment, like the context and clarity of link text or the appropriateness of alt descriptions. Missing these details can undermine the overall user experience. 

Solution

Combine automated tests with manual reviews. Conduct user testing with people who have disabilities. External experts can provide valuable insights that internal teams might overlook. 

Drive profits for your business with web accessibilityWorkshop

3. Underestimating the value of accessibility

Seeing accessibility merely as a compliance checkbox misses its broader benefits. It enhances user experience for everyone, boosts your company's reputation, expands your customer base, and can improve SEO rankings. In addition to that, don't view accessibility as a one-time race to finish before June 2025. It's an ongoing commitment that should be integrated into every update and piece of content you publish. 

Solution

Recognize and utilize accessibility as a strategic advantage. Embrace it as part of your social responsibility and brand differentiation. 

4. Neglecting to educate content editors

Even if your site's code and design are accessible, untrained content editors can introduce barriers. They're often responsible for adding images, videos, and text that need to be accessible as well, but they are often forgotten in the training process, perhaps because you have many content editors all uploading content to your website. 

Solution

Make accessibility a shared responsibility across all departments. Train your content editors on accessibility best practices. Teach them about descriptive alt text, proper heading structures, and creating accessible documents and forms. 

Web accessibility for beginnersKnowledge

5. Forgetting the web accessibility statement

A web accessibility statement (WAS) is a legal requirement under the European Accessibility Act. Missing it – or providing an incomplete one – not only breaches compliance but also reduces transparency with users. 

Solution

Develop a comprehensive accessibility statement and include it in your terms and conditions or an equivalent document. Keep it easy to find by everyone interested by making the address www.example.com/was. Keep your statement updated to reflect any changes or improvements. 

In conclusion

Avoiding these common mistakes requires a proactive, organization-wide approach. Accessibility isn't just about meeting legal obligations; it's about providing equal access and enhancing the user experience for all. By integrating accessibility into your culture and processes, you contribute to a more inclusive digital world. 

Author.

  • Creative Director

    Asbjørn
    Poulsen

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