A recent audit of a major community organization’s website confirmed that even well-intentioned organizations commonly struggle to create fully inclusive web-based experiences. The findings show common design patterns that inadvertently exclude millions of users with disabilities. For an intro about accessibility, visit our previous article here.
The carousel or autoplay video
A homepage featuring these items is effective for promotions and visual engagement. However, features like this can present notable compliance challenges.
Auto carousels and videos break a key accessibility rule that says users must be able to pause, stop, or hide auto-updating content (as specified by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, version 2.1, rule2.2.2). Without a pause button, people who need more time to read are left frustrated by the constant movement.
The mega-menu
Site navigation that relies on mega-menus with drop-downs appearing only on hover restricts access for keyboard users, who cannot reach key site features without a mouse.
Even when operational, these menus commonly lack appropriate semantic structure. Without correct HTML elements (the coded building blocks of web pages) and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) landmarks, screen readers interpret them as a single, unstructured list of links. This complicates navigation for users who depend on visual or structural cues.
The skip navigation
Site navigation that relies on mega-menus with drop-downs appearing only on hover restricts access for keyboard users, who cannot reach key site features without a mouse.
Even when operational, these menus commonly lack appropriate semantic structure. Without correct HTML elements (the coded building blocks of web pages) and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) landmarks, screen readers interpret them as a single, unstructured list of links. This complicates navigation for users who depend on visual or structural cues.
Text within images and contrast failures
Hero sliders frequently overlay white text on images. Although the text may be legible when the background image loads as intended, it can become invisible if the image fails to load or appears lighter than expected.
This situation violates contrast requirements, which mandate a minimum 4.5:1 ratio between text and background for readability. When text is placed over images, a semi-transparent overlay can improve readability by reducing background complexity.
The form label problem
Contact forms and newsletter signups often use placeholder text such as “Enter your email,” which disappears once the user begins typing, leaving no permanent label. Screen reader users (who rely on software that reads web content aloud) may miss these hints entirely, whereas proper form labels remain visible and consistently provide clear guidance.
Beyond compliance: The UX gaps
Beyond accessibility concerns, the site demonstrates common user experience issues that frustrate all visitors. These are not technical guideline violations but design choices that bring unnecessary friction in routine tasks.
Websites structured by internal organizational logic often confuse users seeking quick access to information. When navigation prioritizes company structure over user needs, visitors must understand the layout before they can achieve their objectives. Each additional step increases frustration and may prompt users to abandon the site.
Information Architecture (IA) often fails in predictable ways when important details get buried in deep navigation. Contact information is typically relegated to the footer, not where users expect it. Essential facts like hours or availability should be made easy to find, but often require multiple clicks. These decisions may fit the structure of the content management system, but they place a cognitive burden on users.
Multi-location organizations encounter ‘location ambiguity,’ in which users seeking information about a specific location have to navigate through several steps, such as using a location finder, scrolling through lists, and selecting a location, before accessing related information. In contrast, a geolocation-aware system that prompts users to set their preferred location upon their first visit can immediately display location-specific information, reducing the process from multiple steps to a single action.
The Thumb Zone Failure
On mobile devices, mega-menus that work well on desktop platforms become problematic. Placing all navigation behind a hamburger menu in the top-left corner disregards typical phone usage patterns. The bottom third of the screen is easily accessible with the thumb, whereas the top corner often requires users to stretch or use a second hand.
Modern design often favors bottom navigation bars. Placing primary links at the bottom creates a familiar, accessible mobile interface.
The Stock Photo Disconnect
Stock photos provide visual polish and diversity, supporting a professional brand image. However, they may appear generic and impersonal. Incorporating authentic, user-generated images alongside stock photos enhances genuineness and creates a stronger emotional connection with visitors. Honest moments build trust and support brand credibility more effectively than staged images.
The Way Ahead
The findings from this audit are not unique to a single organization. Similar patterns are evident across thousands of websites, suggesting structural problems rather than isolated oversights. While most organizations recognize the value of accessibility, implementation frequently falls short.
The underlying problem often originates from organizational workflows rather than technical limitations. Accessibility is often considered only during final quality assurance rather than integrated into the design process from the outset. Developers who could implement proper button elements or ARIA labels are often not provided with accessibility requirements in project briefs. Designers may make visually appealing mockups without accounting for keyboard navigation or screen reader compatibility.
Budget talks often reveal additional barriers. Stakeholders may inquire about the cost of accessibility compliance as if it were optional rather than essential. A more appropriate consideration is the cost of excluding potential users, which includes not only lost audience but also possible legal risks as accessibility lawsuits become more prevalent.
Testing practices must also evolve. Most quality assurance workflows focus on visual rendering and click functionality, while a few organizations mandate keyboard-only navigation testing or screen reader validation before launch. Automated tools (e.g., software that checks websites for accessibility issues) identify some issues but often overlook nuanced problems that affect actual users. Achieving genuine accessibility entails comprehensive testing with assistive technologies.
Accessibility features improve navigation, clarity, and ease of use for everyone, not just users with disabilities.
Improving accessibility enhances the experience for all users, offering clearer navigation and more efficient site use.
Website accessibility is not focused on achieving perfection, but rather on ongoing improvement toward a more open web. Each barrier removed, contrast ratio corrected, and keyboard shortcut added incrementally increases digital accessibility for everyone.