Digital accessibility is a critical part of building inclusive, usable, and compliant software. Yet many applications still ship with accessibility issues that create barriers for users with disabilities. These problems often persist not because teams ignore accessibility, but because issues are easy to overlook without structured accessibility testing.
Understanding the most common accessibility testing issues and how to fix them helps teams improve usability, reduce compliance risk, and deliver better digital experiences for everyone. Next, we’ll read about each issue individually for a better understanding.
1. Missing or Inaccurate Alternative Text for Images
Alternative text allows screen readers to convey the meaning of images to users who cannot see them. One of the most common accessibility issues is missing, vague, or incorrect alt text. Images may be left without descriptions, or alt text may repeat file names or provide meaningless labels.
This issue prevents users with visual impairments from understanding important content, instructions, or context conveyed through images. Informative images without proper alt text create significant gaps in the user experience.
Fix: Implement Meaningful and Context-aware Alt Text
Every informative image should include descriptive alt text that explains its purpose within the context of the page.
Decorative images should use empty alt attributes so they are ignored by screen readers. Teams should avoid redundant descriptions and ensure alt text complements surrounding content. Testing images with screen readers helps validate that descriptions are clear, concise, and useful.
2. Keyboard Navigation and Focus Issues
Many users rely on keyboards rather than mice to navigate digital interfaces. Common issues include broken tab order, elements that cannot be reached via keyboard, and hidden or missing focus indicators.
When focus jumps unpredictably or becomes trapped inside components such as modals, users may be unable to complete tasks. Poor keyboard accessibility often makes applications unusable for people with motor impairments.
Fix: Ensure Full Keyboard Accessibility and Visible Focus
All interactive elements must be reachable and operable using only a keyboard. Focus order should follow a logical sequence that matches the visual layout.
Visible focus indicators must remain clear across browsers and themes. Teams should test navigation using only a keyboard to confirm that users can move, interact, and exit components without difficulty.
3. Insufficient Color Contrast and Visual Clarity
Low color contrast between text and background is a frequent accessibility failure. This issue affects users with low vision or color blindness, as well as those viewing screens in poor lighting.
Design choices such as light gray text, low-contrast buttons, or color-only indicators often reduce readability and usability. These issues can prevent users from understanding content or identifying interactive elements.
Fix: Meet WCAG Color Contrast Requirements
Text and interactive elements should meet WCAG contrast ratio requirements to ensure readability. Teams should test contrast across different states, such as hover, focus, and disabled.
QA accessibility testing tools can help identify contrast issues, but manual review is also important. Designs should be reviewed for accessibility early to avoid rework later.
4. Improper Form Labels and Error Messaging
Forms are essential to most applications, yet they often contain accessibility issues. Common problems include missing labels, placeholder text used instead of labels, and error messages that are not announced to screen readers.
Without clear labels and actionable error feedback, users may not understand what information is required or how to correct errors. This creates frustration and increases form abandonment.
Fix: Use Clear Labels, Instructions, and Accessible Errors
Each form field should have an explicitly associated label that is programmatically connected. Instructions and required field indicators should be clear and accessible.
Error messages must be descriptive and announced to assistive technologies when validation fails. Testing forms with screen readers ensures that users receive timely, actionable feedback.
5. Inaccessible Dynamic Content and Interactive Elements
Modern applications rely heavily on dynamic content such as modals, dropdowns, notifications, and live updates. Accessibility issues arise when these elements are not properly announced or managed for assistive technologies.
Users may lose focus when content updates, or screen readers may not detect changes. Without proper handling, dynamic interactions become confusing or unusable.
Fix: Make the Dynamic Content Screen Reader Friendly
Dynamic elements should use appropriate ARIA roles and attributes to communicate changes to assistive technologies. Focus should be managed carefully when content appears or disappears.
Teams should test interactive components with screen readers to ensure that updates are announced correctly and that navigation remains predictable.
6. Non-Accessible Multimedia Content
Videos and audio content often lack captions, transcripts, or accessible controls. This creates barriers for users with hearing impairments or those who cannot access audio content.
Autoplay media without controls can also disrupt screen reader users. Multimedia accessibility issues limit access to important information and reduce overall usability.
Fix: Provide Captions, Transcripts, and Media Controls
Videos should include accurate captions that accurately reflect the spoken content and relevant audio. Audio content should be accompanied by transcripts.
Media players must provide accessible controls for play, pause, and volume. Testing media playback with assistive technologies ensures content is usable for a wide range of users.
Accessibility Testing Best Practices
Addressing individual accessibility issues is important, but long-term success depends on following consistent accessibility testing best practices. These practices help teams prevent issues early, maintain compliance, and build inclusive experiences as products evolve.
- Integrate accessibility testing early in design and development workflows
- Combine automated checks with manual and assistive technology testing
- Validate accessibility across devices, browsers, and platforms
- Test regularly to prevent accessibility regressions with new releases
- Follow WCAG guidelines as a baseline, not a checklist
- Include accessibility reviews as part of standard QA processes
Conclusion
Accessibility issues are common, but they are also preventable. Most problems stem from gaps in awareness, testing, or early design decisions rather than intentional exclusion. By identifying common accessibility testing issues and applying practical fixes, teams can significantly improve usability and compliance.
Accessibility should be treated as an ongoing quality practice, not a one-time checklist. Proactive accessibility testing helps teams deliver inclusive digital experiences that support all users while reducing risk and strengthening long-term product value. Hire QASource for accessibility testing services that identify issues early, ensure compliance, and build inclusive digital experiences.
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