A website accessibility audit is a structured evaluation process that determines whether your website complies with recognized accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.2 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)
Accessibility ensures that people with disabilities including visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor impairments, can access, navigate, and interact with digital content without barriers.
In many jurisdictions, accessibility is not optional. Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act require accessible digital experiences.
Beyond legal compliance, accessibility improves:
- SEO performance
- User experience
- Conversion rates
- Brand trust
- Technical quality
This guide follows EEAT principles (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) and aligns with official accessibility documentation from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
Understanding the Website Accessibility Audit Process
What Is an Accessibility Audit?
A website accessibility audit is a systematic review of digital content to evaluate compliance against accessibility standards such as WCAG Guidelines
The audit identifies:
- Accessibility barriers
- Non-compliant elements
- Usability challenges for assistive technology users
- Legal risk exposure
An effective audit combines:
- Automated testing tools
- Manual expert testing
- Assistive technology testing
- Documentation and remediation planning
Step-by-Step Website Accessibility Audit Process
Step 1 – Define Audit Scope and Standards
Before starting, define:
- Which pages will be tested (homepage, forms, checkout, blog, dashboard, etc.)
- Target conformance level (typically WCAG 2.2 Level AA)
- Legal framework (ADA, Section 508, international standards)
The official WCAG conformance model is outlined here WCAG 2.2 Conformance Requirements
Most organizations aim for WCAG 2.2 Level AA, as it is the most commonly referenced compliance level in legal settlements and procurement policies.
Step 2 – Automated Accessibility Testing
Automated tools can detect approximately 30–50% of accessibility issues. They are useful for identifying:
- Missing alt text
- Color contrast failures
- Empty form labels
- ARIA errors
- Structural issues
Recommended Accessibility Testing Tools
WAVE Accessibility Evaluation Tool
axe Accessibility Testing Platform
Google Lighthouse Accessibility Audit
Siteimprove Accessibility Checker
Automated tools follow testing techniques aligned with the official WCAG documentation WCAG 2.2 Techniques and Failures
Step 3 – Manual Accessibility Testing
Manual testing is critical because many accessibility issues cannot be detected automatically.
Keyboard Testing (WCAG 2.2 Keyboard Accessible)
All interactive elements must be operable using only a keyboard WCAG Keyboard Accessibility
Check:
- Tab navigation order
- Visible focus indicators
- No keyboard traps
- Logical focus flow
Screen Reader Testing
Use assistive technologies such as:
- NVDA (Windows)
- JAWS
- VoiceOver (Mac/iOS)
These tools simulate how blind users interact with your site.
Test:
- Heading structure
- Link descriptions
- Image alt text
- Form instructions
- Error messaging
Screen reader support requirements are based on WCAG’s “Robust” principle WCAG Robust Principle
Step 4 – Evaluate Perceivable Content
Under WCAG’s Perceivable principle:
Text Alternatives Requirement
All images must have meaningful alt text.
Contrast Minimum (4.5:1 for AA)
Ensure text meets color contrast standards.
Resize Text Requirement
Text must scale up to 200% without loss of functionality.
Step 5 – Evaluate Operable Interface
Focus Visible
Focus indicators must remain visible and not be hidden.
Target Size (Minimum)
Interactive elements must be at least 24×24 CSS pixels.
Pointer Gestures
Complex gestures must have simple alternatives.
Step 6 – Evaluate Understandable Content
Language of Page
Declare page language using HTML attributes.
Consistent Navigation
Navigation should remain consistent across pages.
Input Assistance
Forms must provide labels, instructions, and error suggestions.
Step 7 – Evaluate Robust Markup
Check semantic HTML:
- Proper heading hierarchy (H1 → H2 → H3)
- ARIA roles used correctly
- Labels associated with inputs
Complete Website Accessibility Audit Checklist
Content & Media
- All images have descriptive alt text
- Decorative images marked appropriately
- Videos have captions
- Audio has transcripts
- Proper heading structure
Navigation & Interaction
- Fully keyboard accessible
- Visible focus states
- No keyboard traps
- Logical tab order
Forms
- Clear labels
- Required fields indicated
- Error messages accessible
- ARIA used properly
Visual Design
- 4.5:1 contrast ratio (AA)
- No reliance on color alone
- Text resizable
Technical Markup
- Valid HTML
- Proper ARIA roles
- Screen reader announcements
Accessibility Audit Documentation & Reporting
An accessibility audit report should include:
- Executive summary
- Standards referenced (WCAG 2.2 Level AA)
- List of issues by severity
- Screenshots and code references
- Remediation recommendations
- Timeline for fixes
Legal Risk & Compliance Considerations
Failure to meet accessibility requirements may result in:
- ADA lawsuits
- Demand letters
- Settlements
- Remediation costs
- Reputation damage
Reference legal framework:
ADA Official Website
Federal agency compliance:
Section 508 Standards
SEO Benefits of Accessibility Audits
Accessibility aligns with search engine best practices:
- Structured headings improve crawlability
- Alt text improves image search ranking
- Clear navigation reduces bounce rate
- Mobile accessibility boosts Core Web Vitals
Search engines favor well-structured, accessible websites.
Best Practices for Ongoing Accessibility Compliance
Accessibility is not a one-time project.
Best practices:
- Quarterly automated scans
- Annual full manual audit
- Accessibility statement page
- Staff training
- Continuous monitoring
Follow evolving updates from:
W3C Accessibility Standards
Conclusion – Building an Accessible and Compliant Website in 2026
A professional website accessibility audit process includes:
- Defined standards
- Automated testing
- Manual evaluation
- Assistive technology testing
- Documentation
- Continuous monitoring
Organizations aiming for WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance significantly reduce legal risks while improving usability, SEO performance, and brand credibility.
Accessibility is not only a legal requirement, but it is also a competitive advantage.
