Why a Fully Accessible Website Is as Realistic as a Unicorn (And What You Can Aim for Instead)
The Myth of Perfection in Digital Accessibility
Unicorns — those elegant, mythical creatures with shimmering horns — have fascinated people for centuries. But as we know, they do not exist in the real world. And as much as we wish otherwise, the same is true for the idea of a perfectly accessible website.
Every site is built by people, using tools and templates that evolve constantly. Even with the best intentions, things break. Content changes. New features get added without proper review. So when someone claims to offer a “fully accessible” website, it is worth asking: compared to what? And for whom?
From Fantasy to Framework
Rather than chasing a fantasy, organisations should focus on using accessibility testing software to understand how their site performs in the real world. A single audit will not make a website perfect, but it can highlight where the biggest barriers lie, and what actions will make the most difference.
The first time website accessibility is discussed, it should not be in terms of compliance alone. It should be about creating experiences that work for everyone, including people who navigate the world differently.
What Is an Accessibility Website Test?
An accessibility website test goes beyond scanning your site with automated tools. It involves manual testing by disabled users, alongside expert reviews against WCAG 2.2. This combination is the gold standard — not only for compliance but also for practical inclusion.
Automated scans can only detect about 30 percent of issues. They miss things like:
- Form labels that are visible but not announced by screen readers
- Keyboard traps that prevent navigation
- Inaccessible pop-ups and modals
- Menus that disappear when focus shifts
This is why real people need to be involved in testing. It is the difference between checking for spelling mistakes and actually reading the sentence aloud to someone who cannot see the screen.
How Accessibility Testing Software Helps
Accessibility testing software is still a vital part of the toolkit. It can run fast, automated scans of your codebase, flagging obvious issues such as missing alt attributes, poor heading structures, or links that are not descriptive. These tools can crawl thousands of pages in minutes — something a manual tester cannot do.
However, these tools do not understand context. They do not know what it is like to use a screen reader on a slow connection, or how it feels to tab endlessly through poorly structured content. They are a starting point — not a solution.
Think of them as the spellcheck of accessibility. Useful, but not enough to publish your site confidently without a proper review.
The Overlay Illusion
Many companies fall into the trap of installing accessibility overlays — plugins or widgets that promise instant compliance. These tools often add buttons for font resizing, colour inversion, or screen reader emulation.
The problem is that most of these features are already built into users’ devices. Worse still, overlays often interfere with native assistive tech, creating more problems than they solve. They might fix surface-level issues while leaving deeper access barriers completely intact.
Believing that an overlay will make your website fully accessible is a bit like believing a unicorn can pass a vet check. It looks impressive from a distance — until you try to ride it.
Perfection Is Not the Goal
Like the unicorn, a fully accessible site might seem magical — but it is not something you can build once and forget. Accessibility is a process. It requires regular use of accessibility testing software, feedback loops, and a commitment to fixing what is broken as you learn more.
This is not about chasing a score. It is about giving every visitor a fair chance to engage with your services, content, and mission. It is about making the web work for people — all people — not just the majority.
What You Can Aim For Instead
Rather than seeking perfection, aim for:
- A valid Accessibility Statement that reflects your current status
- A clear roadmap with prioritised fixes
- Regular engagement with disabled testers
- Internal awareness and accountability across your team
These are tangible, achievable steps. They build trust with your users. They reduce legal risk. And they lead to better user experiences across the board.
Final Thoughts
We love unicorns. They symbolise possibility and beauty. But they also remind us that some things — no matter how appealing — are better left in the world of fiction.
When it comes to inclusive web design, you do not need magic. You need real people, real testing, and real commitment to progress.
That is where we come in. We run proper accessibility website tests carried out by disabled users, followed by expert feedback and practical advice.
Book a free consultation and begin your real-world journey to accessibility today.