Common issues in web accessibility

Knowing the problem is half the solution

The most common issues

Low color contrast

Light text on a light background, or color combinations that fail the 4.5:1 ratio. Especially common on buttons, links and small text. Fix: verify contrast with a tool like WebAIM Contrast Checker (WCAG SC 1.4.3 Contrast Minimum).

Images without alt text

Images without an alt attribute mean screen readers cannot convey the information to the user. Every image that carries meaning needs descriptive alt text; purely decorative images get an empty alt="". (WCAG SC 1.1.1 Non-text Content)

Broken keyboard navigation

Menus, buttons and interactive elements that cannot be reached with Tab or activated with Enter. Especially common in hamburger menus, modals and sliders. (WCAG SC 2.1.1 Keyboard)

Form fields without labels

Inputs not associated with a <label> — screen readers cannot tell the user what to enter. A placeholder is not enough; use an explicit label or aria-label. (WCAG SC 1.3.1 Info and Relationships, 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value)

Improper heading structure

Skipping heading levels (H1 to H3 without H2), using headings for styling instead of semantics, or multiple H1s on the same page. Confuses screen readers and hurts SEO. (WCAG SC 1.3.1, 2.4.6)

Missing focus indicator

Removing outline:none in CSS without providing a replacement. Keyboard users cannot see which element is focused. Fix: use :focus-visible with a clear outline. (WCAG SC 2.4.7 Focus Visible)

Videos without captions

Video content without captions or transcripts blocks access for users who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Even on YouTube, make sure auto-generated captions are accurate. (WCAG SC 1.2.2 Captions)

Not responsive

Elements that overflow the viewport, tap targets that are too small, and text that requires manual zoom. Accessibility includes mobile adaptation, with tap targets of at least 44x44 pixels. (WCAG SC 1.4.10 Reflow, 2.5.5 Target Size)

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