Web Accessibility Statistics in 2024 still show an astonishing number of websites that fail to meet the most basic standards. The data from WebAIM’s Million Report, provides some valuable insights into the state of accessibility across the web. Let’s dive into the numbers and their implications.

Accessibility Issues in 2024

WebAIM’s 2024 report analysed the top one million homepages and uncovered a sobering reality: 96.3% of websites still have detectable accessibility issues. This statistic reflects minimal improvement from previous years and underscores the persistent barriers faced by users with disabilities.

The most common issues

• Low Contrast Text: Found on 83.9% of homepages, low contrast remains the leading issue, making content difficult to read for users with visual impairments.
• Missing Alternative Text for Images: Alt text, crucial for screen readers, is absent or improper on 47.5% of images.
• Empty Links: Links without meaningful text appear on 47.1% of pages, leaving users reliant on assistive technologies stranded.

Navigation and Interaction issues

Navigation-related barriers are particularly detrimental for users because they directly impact the ability to move through and interact with a website. These issues can prevent users from finding essential information, completing transactions, or accessing critical services. The report highlights:

• Form Labels: A staggering 51.4% of forms lack accessible labels, complicating tasks like filling out online applications or purchases.
• ARIA Misuse: While ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles are intended to improve accessibility, improper implementation was found on 39.3% of pages.

Web Accessibility Statistics for WordPress Websites

WordPress web accessibility statistics in 2024 shows that many sites face similar challenges to the broader web. According to the WPCampus Accessibility Report, 84% of WordPress themes and plugins have accessibility issues, often due to poor coding practices or lack of adherence to accessibility guidelines.

Key WordPress Accessibility Statistics

• Plugins and Themes: 42% of commonly used WordPress plugins and themes lack proper ARIA implementation.
• Alt Text Implementation: While WordPress provides tools to add alt text, 36% of surveyed websites failed to include descriptive alt text for images.
• Forms and Widgets: Over 50% of WordPress forms and widgets lack accessible labels, echoing issues found across the web.

The WordPress community has made great strides, such as introducing the Gutenberg Accessibility Team and improving the accessibility of its core platform. However, consistent adherence to guidelines by theme and plugin developers is an ongoing challenge.

There is still work to be done!

The 2024 WebAIM Million report paints a clear picture: there is still much work to be done to make the web truly inclusive, but progress is being made. Tools like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and automated testing software are helping developers identify and fix issues. However, manual testing and involving users with disabilities in design processes remain essential to achieving meaningful accessibility improvements.

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