#USA #Tucson #AudioEye #digital compliance #Accessibility Index

AudioEye's 2025 Digital Accessibility Index Reveals Alarming Compliance Gaps

Overview

AudioEye, a leader in digital accessibility solutions, recently released its 2025 Digital Accessibility Index. This extensive report examines compliance with accessibility standards across various industries, analyzing a staggering 15,000 websites. The results unveiled a shocking average of 297 accessibility issues per page. This number marks a significant rise from the 37 issues per page identified in the inaugural 2023 Index, reflecting growing concerns about digital inclusivity in today's online landscape.

Key Findings

Rise in Digital Accessibility Issues

The surge in identified accessibility issues is primarily attributed to advancements in AudioEye's automated testing capabilities. The company's testing technology can effectively examine more aspects of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) than any other solution available. AudioEye CEO, David Moradi, emphasized that businesses often overlook their compliance gaps until they closely examine their digital presence.

Common Accessibility Failures

The Index pinpointed frequent problems that pose significant barriers for users with disabilities:

• - 38% of images lacked proper alternative text, making it challenging for visually impaired users to understand visual content.
• - 80% of links had vague descriptions, hindering users of screen readers from grasping their functions before clicking.
• - 35% of forms lacked clear labels or instructions, complicating transactions for those using assistive technologies.

These issues directly undermine the user experience and call for urgent corrective measures across multiple sectors.

Sector-Specific Accessibility Challenges

The report also shed light on how specific industries face unique accessibility challenges:

• - In the retail sector, websites had the highest average of 350.1 issues per page. Inaccessible product images and unclear checkout processes subtend the ability of disabled users to make purchases, with businesses facing potential revenue loss.
• - The hospitality industry reported that 41% of webpages contained access issues, negatively impacting keyboard-only users attempting to navigate booking sites.
• - In healthcare, examined sites averaged 272 issues per page, creating hurdles for patients scheduling appointments or accessing medical information.

Legal Implications of Accessibility

Non-compliance with accessibility standards set forth in laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can have severe repercussions, including lawsuits and regulatory fines. With increasing enforcement of digital accessibility globally, organizations are urged to take a proactive stance on compliance to protect themselves legally while also promoting inclusivity.

Conclusion

As we continue to navigate the online sphere, the findings from AudioEye's 2025 Digital Accessibility Index represent a wake-up call for businesses of all sizes. The vast number of identified accessibility issues serves as a crucial reminder that automation alone is insufficient for compliance. Combining advanced technology with expert human input is essential to ensure a fully inclusive digital experience. For more detailed insights, the full report is available at audioeye.com/2025-digital-accessibility-index.

About AudioEye

AudioEye is committed to ensuring a digitally accessible future. Their innovative solutions blend cutting-edge AI technology with expert insights from the disability community, enabling businesses to meet and exceed compliance requirements efficiently. With a customer base of over 126,000 including notable brands such as Samsung and Calvin Klein, AudioEye aims to empower organizations to create fully accessible digital environments.