Top 5 ADA Website Violations In 2024 And How to Fix Them

Top 5 ADA Website Violations In 2024 And How to Fix Them

Key Takeaways

Did you know that In 2024, a staggering 90% of websites fail to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), leaving millions of users with disabilities unable to fully engage online.

Many businesses overlook basic elements that make their websites inaccessible to users with disabilities. These violations can range from technical issues, like poor keyboard navigation, to design flaws, such as insufficient color contrast. Addressing these common violations is crucial to keeping your website ADA compliant and preventing lawsuits.

In 2024, the most common violations often relate to a lack of attention to detail in website design and development. Below, we will explore the most frequent violations and practical solutions to fix them, ensuring that your site is accessible and inclusive.

Understanding ADA Compliance For Websites In 2025

Understanding ADA Compliance For Websites In 2025

The ADA’s application to websites continues to expand as digital platforms evolve, making compliance an ongoing responsibility for businesses. 

Websites must cater to users with various disabilities, including visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor impairments

This means providing features like screen reader compatibility, accessible forms, and proper color contrast to ensure all users can navigate your site effectively.

Compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) forms the foundation of ADA compliance for websites. These guidelines help businesses create websites that are accessible to all users. However, many websites still fall short, particularly in areas such as navigation and multimedia content.

Staying compliant in 2024 means proactively auditing your website for accessibility and staying updated on evolving regulations to ensure you avoid costly violations. 

For a thorough assessment of your website’s compliance, Martin Brothers ADA Inspection Orange County and can provide professional ADA audits to address potential issues.

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What Are The Most Common ADA Website Violations?

What Are The Most Common ADA Website Violations

Today digital accessibility is more important than ever. Businesses are tasked with creating environments where all users can navigate freely and effectively. 

Identifying and addressing common barriers is key to achieving a truly inclusive online presence. Let’s explore some of the most common Website ADA violations in 2024.

1. Missing Alt Text For Images

Missing Alt Text For Images

Alt text plays a vital role in making websites accessible to visually impaired users who rely on screen readers. 

The problem:

Without descriptive alt text, users cannot fully understand the content of images, making it a common ADA violation. 

This issue is especially problematic for websites that use images to convey essential information, such as e-commerce sites or visually-driven platforms. Many businesses forget to include alt text or use generic descriptions that do not provide meaningful information.

The solution:

To avoid this violation, businesses must ensure that every image on their website includes appropriate alt text that describes the image’s function or content.

Alt text not only improves accessibility but also enhances SEO, making it an essential part of website optimization. Below are practical steps for fixing alt text issues:

ADA auditors address it by:

  • Conducting a comprehensive audit of your website to ensure that every image includes appropriate and descriptive alt text.
  • They use specialized tools and manual checks, such as WAVE or Google Lighthouse, to identify images that are missing alt text or have incorrect descriptions.
  • Consultants ensure that decorative images are handled correctly, either by applying null alt text (alt=””) or excluding them from being read by screen readers.

Is your website compliant?

Contact Martin Brothers Inspection Services today to identify and fix top accessibility issues, ensuring your site is compliant and welcoming for all users!

2. Poor Keyboard Navigation

Poor Keyboard Navigation

For many users with disabilities, navigating a website using only a keyboard is crucial. 

The problem

Unfortunately, poor keyboard navigation remains a common ADA violation. Websites must allow users to move through all interactive elements, such as forms, menus, and buttons, without requiring the use of a mouse. 

When keyboard navigation is not properly implemented, users with disabilities are unable to access key parts of the site, leading to frustration and exclusion from the online experience.

The solution

Improving keyboard navigation requires ensuring that users can access all elements using only a keyboard, typically with the “Tab” key. Focus indicators, which highlight the selected element, must be clear and easy to track. To ensure ADA compliance in 2024, addressing keyboard navigation issues is critical to making your website more accessible and inclusive.

ADA auditors address it by:

  • Testing your entire website to ensure all interactive elements are reachable using only the “Tab” key, without the need for a mouse.
  • They will check that focus indicators are highly visible and that users can easily identify which element is currently selected as they navigate through the site.
  • Auditors will provide a full audit of your site’s keyboard navigation, offering tailored solutions to fix any issues and ensure full accessibility.

PRO TIP!

Regularly test your website with accessibility tools to identify and address common ADA violations before they become issues.

Mark Thompson

ADA Compliance Specialist

3. Lack Of Sufficient Color Contrast

Lack Of Sufficient Color Contrast

Proper color contrast is critical for users with visual impairments, such as color blindness, to read and interact with a website

The problem

Many websites fail to meet the WCAG’s minimum contrast ratio requirements, making text difficult to read against the background. This issue is often the result of poor design choices or insufficient testing and remains one of the most common ADA violations in 2024.

The solution

To address this issue, websites must meet the required color contrast ratios. Text and background colors should adhere to a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Correcting color contrast issues not only improves website accessibility but also makes content easier to consume for everyone, regardless of ability.

How ADA auditors can address it:

  • Testing your entire website to ensure all interactive elements are reachable using only the “Tab” key, without the need for a mouse.
  • They will check that focus indicators are highly visible and that users can easily identify which element is currently selected as they navigate through the site.
  • Auditors will provide a full audit of your site’s keyboard navigation, offering tailored solutions to fix any issues and ensure full accessibility.

4. Inaccessible Forms

Inaccessible Forms

Forms are a critical part of most websites, whether for purchases, newsletter sign-ups, or contact inquiries. 

The problem

Many forms are inaccessible due to poor design, making it difficult for users with disabilities to complete them. Common problems include missing labels, forms that cannot be navigated via keyboard, and error messages that are not readable by screen readers. 

These issues not only create barriers for users but also leave businesses vulnerable to ADA violations.

The solution

Making forms accessible requires more than just functional design—it involves ensuring that every form field has a clear label, that the form can be navigated with a keyboard, and that any error messages are easy to understand and accessible to screen readers.

Addressing these issues is key to improving both user experience and ADA compliance.

How ADA auditors can address it:

  • ADA auditors will conduct a thorough audit of your website’s forms to ensure all fields are properly labeled and associated with their input elements.
  • They will test form navigation to ensure that users can complete forms using only the keyboard, without encountering any barriers.
  • Consultants will ensure that error messages are accessible to screen readers, providing clear and actionable feedback to users with disabilities.

Stay ahead of ADA website violations in 2024!

Contact Martin Brothers Inspection Services today for a comprehensive audit and practical solutions to make your site accessible to everyone!

5. Videos Without Captions Or Transcripts

Videos Without Captions Or Transcripts

The use of multimedia content on websites continues to grow, and with it comes the responsibility to provide captions for videos and transcripts for audio content

The problem

Users who are deaf or hard of hearing rely on captions to consume video content, while transcripts allow those who cannot access audio to still engage with the material. Missing captions or transcripts remains one of the most common ADA violations in 2024.

The solution

To ensure compliance, all video content should be accompanied by synchronized captions, and audio content should have text transcripts. This is especially important for instructional or promotional videos, where missing captions can lead to miscommunication or exclusion of users with disabilities.

How ADA consultants can address it:

  • ADA consultants will audit all multimedia content on your website to ensure that videos include accurate, synchronized captions and that audio-only content has accompanying transcripts.
  • They will assist in generating captions using trusted tools like YouTube’s captioning feature or third-party services, ensuring that all multimedia content meets accessibility standards.
  • Consultants will also ensure that captions do not obstruct important visual elements and that the text is easy to read and properly positioned.
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How Professional ADA Consultants Can Help Fix These Issues

How Professional ADA Consultants Can Help Fix These Issues

ADA consultants can provide a thorough audit of your website, identifying subtle violations that automated tools often miss.

They also offer tailored solutions that align with the latest WCAG and ADA requirements.

Professional ADA consultants can identify overlooked issues, such as improperly labeled form fields or confusing keyboard navigation, and provide actionable steps to fix these problems. To ensure your business stays ahead of compliance, consider reaching out to Martin Brothers ADA Inspection Services for a full audit and professional guidance.

Don’t let ADA website violations hold you back!

Reach out now for a thorough review and expert guidance on making your site compliant and accessible to all!

Frequently Asked Questions

Written by Mark Thompson

Mark Thompson is a passionate ADA Compliance Specialist with over 15 years of experience. His journey began as an environmental technician, where he recognized the importance of inclusive design. With a keen understanding of ADA regulations, Mark helps businesses navigate compliance challenges and create welcoming environments for all.

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