Accessibility Audit With Real Testing
Table of Contents:
- What Is an Accessibility Audit?
- Who Needs a Website Accessibility Audit?
- Why an Accessibility Audit Matters
- What Does a Website Accessibility Audit Include?
- What Happens Next?
- Common Issues We Find
- How an Accessibility Audit Helps Different Roles
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Choose Us?
- Beware of Overlay Tools
- How We Compare
- Start Your Accessibility Audit
What Is an Accessibility Audit?
A website accessibility audit is a full review of how well your website supports disabled users. It tests your site against WCAG 2.2 standards and identifies issues that could block access for screen reader users, keyboard-only navigation, or people with cognitive or visual impairments.
A real accessibility audit includes both technical testing and live testing by disabled users. It results in a clear, practical roadmap and a compliant Accessibility Statement. It is the only proven way to confirm that your website is fit for purpose and future-proof.
Who Needs a Website Accessibility Audit?
Any organisation with an online presence should consider an accessibility audit. From 28 June 2025, the European Accessibility Act requires websites trading in the EU to meet strict compliance standards. This applies to public and private sector companies, ecommerce platforms, SaaS tools, charities, and service providers.
Even if you are based in the UK or US, you may still be legally exposed if EU users access your website. Accessibility is also required by the UK Equality Act and increasingly cited in legal actions in the US.
Further reading:
European Accessibility Act Overview (EU Commission)
Why an Accessibility Audit Matters
The EAA makes accessibility a legal requirement, not a nice-to-have. It demands:
- WCAG 2.2 AA compliance
- A valid and accurate Accessibility Statement
- Ongoing accessibility monitoring
Failure to meet these obligations can result in:
- Financial penalties
- Contract losses
- Exclusion from procurement
- Reputation damage
Accessibility also brings real business benefits. It supports SEO, improves user retention, reduces bounce rates, and makes your digital services more inclusive for everyone.
What Does a Website Accessibility Audit Include?
Our process includes:
- Manual testing by accessibility specialists
- Live user testing by disabled people
- Review of navigation, structure, and forms
- Checks on PDFs, media, and third-party content
- Video recordings of issues in real time
- A written report and repair roadmap
- A fully compliant Accessibility Statement
We also offer a follow-up retest to confirm fixes and update your documentation.
What Happens Next?
When you book your accessibility audit:
- We schedule both technical and user testing
- We identify compliance issues and usability barriers
- You receive a written report with supporting videos
- We create a compliant Accessibility Statement
- We follow up with retesting if required
You will have clear priorities and real user feedback to support your development process.
Common Issues We Find
Real audits uncover issues that automated tools miss, such as:
- Inaccessible menus and navigation
- Keyboard traps and missing skip links
- Non-descriptive alt text
- Inconsistent heading structure
- Form fields without labels
- Colour contrast failures
- CAPTCHA barriers
- PDFs that are not tagged or navigable
- Broken focus order and tab flow
These barriers cause real harm to users. Testing with disabled people is the only way to find and fix them.
How an Accessibility Audit Helps Different Roles
For Agencies and Developers
A professional audit shows your clients that you care about inclusion. It also helps you meet your obligations as a service provider and reduce liability risks.
For Internal Teams
Marketing and digital teams benefit from clear feedback on usability, conversion blockers, and legal exposure. Accessibility also improves SEO and customer satisfaction.
For Senior Leaders
An audit demonstrates social responsibility, ESG commitment, and compliance. It reduces legal risk and helps secure contracts that require accessibility assurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an accessibility audit suitable for small websites? Yes. Even smaller sites need to comply with legal requirements. Our audits scale to match your needs.
Can overlays replace audits? No. Overlays do not deliver compliance and are not recognised by the European Accessibility Act. They often introduce further issues.
How long does the process take? We typically complete audits within 30 days. You will receive a report, video evidence, and your Accessibility Statement in that time.
What does it cost? Our prices are based on scope and complexity. We will provide a fixed quote once we know more about your site.
Why Choose Us?
Our audits are carried out by a team of accessibility specialists and disabled testers. We have worked with global brands, public bodies, and nonprofits. Our approach is:
- Thorough and standards-based
- Led by lived experience
- Practical, honest, and supportive
We do not just find problems. We help you fix them.
Beware of Overlay Tools
Tools like AccessiBe, UserWay, and Recite Me claim to offer instant accessibility. In reality, they:
- Interfere with screen readers
- Break keyboard navigation
- Fail to meet legal requirements
The EAA does not recognise overlays. They mask problems without solving them.
How We Compare
| Feature | Our Accessibility Audit | Overlay Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Real Testing by Disabled Users | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Compliant With WCAG 2.2 | ✅ Fully | ❌ Partially or Not at All |
| Legal Risk Reduction | ✅ Proven | ❌ Unreliable |
| Accessibility Statement Provided | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Ongoing Support | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Start Your Accessibility Audit
Ready to meet your legal obligations and improve user experience?
Start with a real accessibility audit, led by experts and disabled users. We will help you:
- Identify barriers
- Fix key problems
- Meet compliance standards
- Build trust with users and clients
Book a free consultation to get started.