Core Insights - The 2025 Digital Accessibility Index reveals an average of 297 accessibility issues per page across 15,000 websites, a significant increase from 37 issues per page in 2023, indicating a growing concern for digital accessibility compliance [1][2]. Industry Analysis - The increase in detected accessibility issues is attributed to improvements in automated testing capabilities, which can assess more Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) than other solutions [2]. - Many businesses are unaware of their accessibility compliance gaps until they conduct a thorough review of their websites, highlighting the alarming scale of digital inaccessibility and the associated risks [3]. - The report identifies frequent accessibility failures related to website navigation and usability, which adversely affect the user experience for individuals with disabilities [4]. Legal and Compliance Implications - Laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the European Accessibility Act (EAA) impose clear accessibility requirements, with non-compliance leading to lawsuits, regulatory fines, and lost revenue [5]. - As global enforcement of digital accessibility increases, businesses must proactively ensure compliance to maximize legal protection [5]. Sector-Specific Findings - Retail websites exhibit the highest number of accessibility issues, averaging 350.1 issues per page, which affects sales and customer acquisition due to inaccessible product photos and mislabeled checkout forms [7]. - In the hospitality sector, 41% of travel and hospitality webpages have accessibility issues that hinder keyboard-only users from navigating content and making reservations [7]. - Healthcare websites average 272 issues per page, with inaccessible forms and buttons complicating patients' ability to schedule appointments and access test results [7].
AudioEye Releases 2025 Digital Accessibility Index, Revealing Widespread Compliance Risks for Businesses