5 Common Accessibility Mistakes That Hurt Your Website (And How to Fix Them)

Did you know that over 1 billion people worldwide experience some form of disability? Yet, many websites fail to meet basic accessibility standards, making it harder for people to navigate and interact with digital content.

I’ve spent years working in digital accessibility, helping teams create inclusive, user-friendly experiences. But I still see the same mistakes popping up — mistakes that can block access, frustrate visitors, and even lead to legal trouble.

Let’s break down five of the most common accessibility mistakes and how you can fix them today.

1. Missing or Poorly Structured Headings

Headings aren’t just for visual organization — they provide essential structure for screen readers and help people navigate a page efficiently.

The mistake: Using bold text instead of proper <h1> to <h6> elements, or skipping heading levels (e.g., jumping from an <h1> to an <h4>).

The fix: Always follow a logical heading order and ensure that headings describe the content that follows.

Example Fix: <p><strong>Section Title</strong></p> (Wrong!) <h2>Section Title</h2> (Correct!)

2. Lack of Keyboard Navigation Support

Not everyone uses a mouse — some rely on a keyboard or assistive devices like switch controls.

The mistake: Elements like dropdowns, modals, and forms that trap focus or don’t respond to keyboard inputs.

The fix: Ensure that all interactive elements are fully accessible using only a keyboard (Tab, Enter, Space, Arrow keys).

Test It: Try navigating your site using only the keyboard. If you get stuck, your site has accessibility barriers.

3. Low Contrast Text

If text lacks sufficient contrast against its background, many people (especially those with low vision or color blindness) will struggle to read it.

The mistake: Using light gray text on a white background or neon colors with low contrast.

The fix: Use color contrast tools like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker to meet WCAG AA (4.5:1 for text) or AAA (7:1 for body text) guidelines.

4. Missing or Poorly Written Alt Text for Images

Alt text helps screen readers describe images for blind and visually impaired users.

The mistake:

• No alt text at all (images are skipped by screen readers).
• “Image of…” descriptions without meaningful detail.

The fix: Provide clear, descriptive alt text that conveys the image’s purpose.

Example Fix: alt="Person" (Too vague) alt="A woman using a screen reader on her laptop in a coffee shop" (Descriptive)

5. Overuse of ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications)

ARIA can improve accessibility, but misusing it often makes things worse.

The mistake: Adding role="button" to non-buttons instead of using a real <button>.

The fix: Use semantic HTML first and apply ARIA only when necessary.

Rule of Thumb: “No ARIA is better than bad ARIA.”

Final Thoughts: Accessibility is an Ongoing Process

Accessibility isn’t just about compliance — it’s about inclusion. Every small change makes a big impact on real people’s ability to access information, products, and services.

Want to make your website more accessible? Check out **Vibe Digital Accessibility** for in-depth guides and expert tips.