Driving the news:
Digital accessibility has become one of the most important topics in the digital world. With governments enacting laws requiring both public and private entities to comply with digital accessibility guidelines, organizations in different sectors are adding accessibility features to their websites and mobile applications. But are these changes enough to help individuals with disabilities perform the same tasks as their peers without disabilities? Does the level of effort expended by these entities match their claimed commitment to accessibility? Let’s look at some surveys from the past year to find out.
WebAIM:
The WebAIM Million study is an annual accessibility analysis of the top 1,000,000 websites worldwide. This study looks at the percentage of websites compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), the most common accessibility issues (like missing alternative text or improper use of ARIA roles), and technology adoption trends.
Since 2019, the overall number of errors per page has shown a general downward trend. However, the number of detected errors in the 2024 study increased notably (13.6%) since the 2023 analysis. In addition, the analysis reveals that typical WCAG violations, such as missing alt text for images and inadequate color contrast ratios, are still prevalent.
WebAIM has also released the results of its 10th annual Screen Reader User Survey. The study shows that 71.6% of respondents use screen readers on mobile devices, with a slight majority of users (58.5%) using a screen reader for over 10 years, indicating a seasoned user base. Notably, NVDA has surpassed JAWS as the most commonly used screen reader at 72.4%.
Despite the surge in screen reader usage, the survey also highlights ongoing issues with web accessibility, with 70.3% of users reporting that web content accessibility has not improved.
Disability:IN:
The 2023 Disability Equality Index (DEI) conducted by non-profit organization Disability:IN highlights significant progress in corporate disability inclusion efforts. Participation in the DEI survey has surged, with 485 companies in eight countries involved in 2023, up from 80 in 2015.
Over 400 companies earned DEI scores of 80 or above, representing a significant percentage of the Fortune 500. The report shows that 89% of U.S. participants sponsor disability-focused employee resource groups, 91% include disability awareness in new hire orientation, and 99% offer flexible work options. Additionally, 93% of the respondents encourage employees to report their disabilities, contributing to a rise in self-identification rates to 4.6%.
Applause:
The 2024 Applause Digital Accessibility Survey highlights several critical trends and statistics about digital accessibility. The respondents include over 3,500 participants who work in software development, QA, product, DevOps, marketing, legal, and CX/UX worldwide. The study reveals that 46% of respondents consider digital accessibility a top priority. However, only a small percentage of respondents feel confident in their organizations’ ability to meet WCAG standards effectively.
A separate Inclusive Design survey, also conducted by Applause, highlights a growing awareness and commitment to inclusive design. A significant majority (79%) of respondents say that their organizations have incorporated inclusive design and accessibility principles into their software development processes, with around 50% of survey respondents using AI-powered accessibility tools in their testing processes.
Another key finding indicates that organizations are increasingly prioritizing conformance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, with 42% reporting level AA compliance. However, only one-third of respondents say they already comply with the European Accessibility Act (EAA), an alarming statistic considering that the EAA is set to take effect in June 2025.
University of Phoenix:
A survey conducted by The Harris Poll and commissioned by the University of Phoenix (UoPX) reveals a growing demand for digital accessibility skills, particularly in large organizations and the IT sector, where nearly 60% of managers have observed an increased need over the past five years. In addition, 62% of managers expect further growth in demand. Accessibility skills are becoming crucial in job descriptions, especially for developers and digital content designers.
Similar to the Applause survey, the UoPX survey also highlights the importance of integrating accessibility into all phases of product development and the need for ongoing professional development and education in accessibility to meet organizational goals and enhance workforce capabilities.
Concept3D:
The 2023 Concept3D report on digital accessibility in higher education underscores significant challenges and perceptions among students and faculty in the U.S. The survey reveals that 55% of students and 64% of faculty have disabilities or know someone with a disability, and nearly 80% emphasize the importance of digital accessibility.
Half the students surveyed believe their schools prioritize accessibility, but many perceive a gap between policy and action. Additionally, only 46% of faculty think their institutions proactively provide accessibility tools. Common accessibility issues reported include poor contrast, lack of alternative text, and inaccessible navigation.
This report highlights a significant disconnect between the recognized need for digital accessibility and the efforts made in that direction, urging higher education institutions to enhance their commitment and resources to support students with disabilities.
Disabled Students UK:
On the other side of the Atlantic, the Access Insights Report 2023 by Disabled Students UK provides an in-depth look at the experiences of disabled students in higher education across the UK. The survey, which included responses from over 1300 students at more than 100 universities, reveals that 70% of disabled students face difficulties accessing online learning materials, with only 61% having access to recorded lectures.
The report also highlights the social and emotional challenges faced by disabled students, with 26% reporting that they felt unwelcome at their universities due to their disabilities. Additionally, the survey found that only 45% of students were given ample information about the available accommodations. Support systems for disabled students also show room for improvement, with only 50% of surveyed students receiving the government-mandated Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). These statistics underscore the need for universities to enhance their support mechanisms and foster an inclusive environment that accommodates the diverse needs of all students.
Looking ahead:
The studies cited above lead us to two major conclusions. First, we cannot help but note that accessibility is fast becoming a priority for different sectors. The adoption of digital accessibility is driven mainly by government regulations, most notably the European Accessibility Act. Second, this upward trend in accessibility is unfortunately not matched by the effort required to achieve WCAG compliance, with many respondents saying that they don’t have the resources necessary to implement common accessibility compliance criteria.
These results show that while much progress has been made towards achieving digital accessibility for individuals with disabilities, there is still a long way to go before most websites and mobile apps are accessible to all. The road to accessibility starts at the school and workplace, and everyone in the organization – students, web developers, stakeholders, and management – has a role to play in promoting accessibility.
