Key Takeaways

  • 95.9% of websites fail WCAG 2.2 Level A/AA accessibility standards (WebAIM Million 2025)
  • 23% cart abandonment on accessible sites vs 69% on inaccessible sites – 66% improvement
  • European Accessibility Act will be mandatory since June 2025 across all EU member states
  • 6 common errors account for 96.4% of all accessibility issues – most are easily fixable
  • Test your site for free with ASSIST Software's accessibility checker

 

Every day, billions of people access the internet to shop, learn, communicate, and access essential services. But for 1.3 billion people with disabilities worldwide, this digital experience remains frustratingly difficult.

 

We see this reality in our work. When we audit websites for clients, we consistently find the same barriers: buttons that screen readers can't identify, forms that keyboard users can't navigate, and color schemes that people with visual impairments struggle to read. These are everyday obstacles that exclude millions of potential customers. 

Web Accessibility Statistics 2026: Current State and Progress

The WebAIM Million 2025 report analyzed the top million websites and found something striking: 95.9% fail to meet basic WCAG 2.2 standards. That means only 4 out of every 100 websites are genuinely accessible.

But here's the encouraging part: the average number of errors dropped from 56.8 to 51 per page over the past year. Progress is slow, but it's happening. More teams are building accessibility into their workflow from day one rather than treating it as an afterthought. 

Accessibility Tool Checker

Why Web Accessibility Matters Beyond Compliance

When clients ask us, "Do we really need to prioritize accessibility?", we point to two realities.

The Business Case: 26% of US adults have some form of disability, representing $13 trillion in global purchasing power. Accessible sites experience 23% cart abandonment, compared to 69% for inaccessible sites. Your competitors are already capturing customers you're turning away.

The Human Impact: We build digital products that people rely on for education, healthcare, employment, and civic participation. When we create barriers, we're not just losing business; we're excluding people from fundamental aspects of modern life. 

Accessibility ASSIST Software

Web Accessibility Laws 2026: EAA and ADA Requirements

The European Accessibility Act became mandatory across all EU member states in June 2025. It's no longer limited to government websites. Banking apps, e-commerce platforms, e-books, and even your company's internal tools fall under these requirements if you operate in Europe.

In the US, ADA litigation continues to rise, and here's what surprises people: 77% of cases target small businesses with revenue under $20 million. This isn't just a concern for enterprise companies. 

Poor color contrast81% of sites EasyUse WebAIM Contrast Checker, aim for 4.5:1 minimum 
Missing alt text54.5% of sites EasyAdd descriptive alt text to all images 
Empty links44.6% of sitesEasyEnsure every link has descriptive text 
Unlabeled forms48.6% of sitesMediumUse proper <label> tags associated with inputs 
Empty buttons28.2% of sites EasyAdd descriptive text or aria-label to all buttons
Missing language tag17.1% of sitesEasyAdd lang="en" to <html> tag 

 

The good news? These are fixable. Most don't require redesigns or major development efforts. They need awareness and intentional choices during development. 

How to Test Your Website for Accessibility

Step 1: Free Automated Scan

Our free accessibility checker scans your site and identifies the most common issues in minutes. Think of it as a first diagnostic step.

Step 2: Comprehensive Accessibility Audit

For deeper analysis, our comprehensive accessibility audit goes beyond automated testing. We manually test with assistive technologies to catch issues that automated tools miss. 

 

Free Automated Scan30-40%MinutesInitial assessment
Automated Tools30-40%HoursOngoing monitoring
Manual Testing60-70%DaysComplex interactions
Comprehensive Audit90%+1-2 weeksPre-launch validation

 

Why Automated Testing Alone Isn't Enough: Automated tools catch 30-40% of issues, but can't evaluate whether alt text is useful, if your site makes logical sense to screen reader users, or whether keyboard navigation flows naturally. 

Why ASSIST Software Is Your Accessibility Partner

At ASSIST Software, we've implemented WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance across diverse digital products in education, e-commerce, and healthcare.

Our Accessibility Expertise:

  • WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance delivered for clients in education, e-commerce, and healthcare
  • Comprehensive accessibility audits that identify and prioritize issues
  • Remediation projects transforming inaccessible systems into compliant solutions
  • Team training programs building lasting accessibility expertise
  • Continuous monitoring post-launch to maintain compliance

We don't treat accessibility as a checklist. We've seen how poor accessibility excludes users, damages reputation, and creates legal exposure. That's why we integrate accessibility from day one.

 

How We Build Accessibility Into Our Work:

At ASSIST Software, accessibility is woven into our entire digital product strategy from discovery through maintenance. We combine automated testing (30-40% coverage) with manual validation (60-70%) and train teams to understand that accessibility means building products that work for everyone. 

Accessibility ASSISTSoftware

The Future of Web Accessibility: Action Required

95.9% of websites fail WCAG 2.2 standards, but errors decreased 10.3% year-over-year. Six fixable issues cause 96.4% of problems. Accessible sites see 66% better cart abandonment rates and $100 ROI for every $1 invested.

The Solution: Integrate accessibility throughout development, combining automated testing with manual validation. Build accessibility into your process from day one, train your teams, and test continuously.

Every accessible site we launch, every developer we train to think about inclusive design, every company that makes accessibility a priority moves us toward a more equitable internet.

72% of organizations now have digital accessibility policies, and 85% see it as a competitive advantage. The business case is proven. The legal requirements are clear. The human argument is compelling.

What's missing is action.

Ready to Make Your Digital Products Accessible?

Accessibility ASSIST Software

Frequently Asked Questions About Web Accessibility

1 What percentage of websites are actually accessible in 2026?

Only 4.1% of websites meet WCAG 2.2 Level A/AA standards. The WebAIM Million 2025 report found 95.9% fail basic accessibility requirements, averaging 51 errors per page.

2 Will fixing accessibility issues break my website design?

No. Accessibility improvements enhance design for everyone. Better color contrast improves readability, clear labels help all users, and keyboard navigation benefits power users. When implemented correctly, accessibility strengthens visual design.

3 How long does it take to make a website accessible?

Quick fixes for the six most common issues take 1-2 weeks. Comprehensive remediation takes 4-8 weeks, depending on complexity. The most cost-effective approach: build accessibility into your development process from day one. Our free checker provides an immediate assessment.

4 Is automated testing enough for accessibility compliance?

No. Automated tools catch 30-40% of issues but can't evaluate context, user experience, or semantic meaning. Comprehensive audits combine automated scanning with manual testing to catch 90%+ of issues. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you integrate AI into an existing software product?

Absolutely. Our team can assess your current system and recommend how artificial intelligence features, such as automation, recommendation engines, or predictive analytics, can be integrated effectively. Whether it's enhancing user experience or streamlining operations, we ensure AI is added where it delivers real value without disrupting your core functionality.

2. What types of AI projects has ASSIST Software delivered?

We’ve developed AI solutions across industries, from natural language processing in customer support platforms to computer vision in manufacturing and agriculture. Our expertise spans recommendation systems, intelligent automation, predictive analytics, and custom machine learning models tailored to specific business needs.

3. What is ASSIST Software's development process?  

The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) we employ defines the stages for a software project. Our SDLC phases include planning, requirement gathering, product design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance.

4. What software development methodology does ASSIST Software use?  

ASSIST Software primarily leverages Agile principles for flexibility and adaptability. This means we break down projects into smaller, manageable sprints, allowing continuous feedback and iteration throughout the development cycle. We also incorporate elements from other methodologies to increase efficiency as needed. For example, we use Scrum for project roles and collaboration, and Kanban boards to see workflow and manage tasks. As per the Waterfall approach, we emphasize precise planning and documentation during the initial stages.

5. I'm considering a custom application. Should I focus on a desktop, mobile or web app?  

We can offer software consultancy services to determine the type of software you need based on your specific requirements. Please explore what type of app development would suit your custom build product.   

  • A web application runs on a web browser and is accessible from any device with an internet connection. (e.g., online store, social media platform)   
  • Mobile app developers design applications mainly for smartphones and tablets, such as games and productivity tools. However, they can be extended to other devices, such as smartwatches.    
  • Desktop applications are installed directly on a computer (e.g., photo editing software, word processors).   
  • Enterprise software manages complex business functions within an organization (e.g., Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)).

6. My software product is complex. Are you familiar with the Scaled Agile methodology?

We have been in the software engineering industry for 30 years. During this time, we have worked on bespoke software that needed creative thinking, innovation, and customized solutions. 

Scaled Agile refers to frameworks and practices that help large organizations adopt Agile methodologies. Traditional Agile is designed for small, self-organizing teams. Scaled Agile addresses the challenges of implementing Agile across multiple teams working on complex projects.  

SAFe provides a structured approach for aligning teams, coordinating work, and delivering value at scale. It focuses on collaboration, communication, and continuous delivery for optimal custom software development services. 

7. How do I choose the best collaboration model with ASSIST Software?  

We offer flexible models. Think about your project and see which model would be right for you.   

  • Dedicated Team: Ideal for complex, long-term projects requiring high continuity and collaboration.   
  • Team Augmentation: Perfect for short-term projects or existing teams needing additional expertise.   
  • Project-Based Model: Best for well-defined projects with clear deliverables and a fixed budget.   

Contact us to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each model. 

ASSIST Software Team Members