By Shrushti Mahajan

Imagine visiting a website to make a purchase, book an appointment, or access important information—only to find that you cannot navigate the page, read the content, or complete a form. For millions of people with disabilities, this remains a daily challenge.

As digital experiences become increasingly essential, organizations are expected to ensure that their websites, applications, and digital documents are accessible to everyone. This is where an accessibility audit plays a critical role.

A website may appear functional and visually appealing, but hidden accessibility barriers can prevent users with disabilities from accessing content effectively. Conducting a website accessibility audit helps identify these barriers, improve user experience, and ensure compliance with accessibility standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

In this guide, we’ll explore what an accessibility audit is, why it matters, the audit process, and how organizations can benefit from regular accessibility assessments.

What Is an Accessibility Audit?

An accessibility audit is a systematic evaluation of a website, mobile application, digital document, or online platform to determine whether it is accessible to people with disabilities.

The goal of an audit is to identify accessibility barriers that may impact users who rely on assistive technologies such as screen readers, keyboard navigation, voice recognition software, magnifiers, or alternative input devices.

A comprehensive digital accessibility audit evaluates content against recognized accessibility standards, including:

• BIS IS 17802
• GIGW 3.0 (Guidelines for Indian Government Websites)
• WCAG 2.1 and WCAG 2.2 guidelines
• Section 508 requirements
• Acts such as India’s Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016; European Accessibility Act (EAA); Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  
  

The audit results provide organizations with a clear roadmap for remediation and continuous improvement.

What Does a Website Accessibility Audit Examine?

A thorough accessibility assessment reviews various aspects of the user experience, including:

• Keyboard Accessibility
• Screen Reader Compatibility
• Color Contrast and Visual Accessibility
• Voice Access and Cognitive Accessibility
• Multimedia Accessibility
• Mobile Accessibility
  
  

Why Is an Accessibility Audit Important?

• Improve User Experience for Everyone
• Meet Accessibility Compliance Requirements
• Reduce Legal Risk
• Reach a Larger Audience
• Strengthen Brand Reputation and Support ESG Goals
  
  

The Accessibility Audit Process

A professional accessibility audit typically follows several stages.

Step 1: Scope Definition

The audit team identifies:

• Pages to review
• User journeys
• Applications
• Documents
• Accessibility standards to assess against
  
  

Step 2: Automated Accessibility Testing

Automated tools help identify common accessibility issues quickly.

These tools may detect:

• Missing image alt text
• Low color contrast
• Empty links
• Heading structure issues
  
  

However, automated testing alone cannot identify all accessibility barriers.

Step 3: Manual Accessibility Review

Manual testing is essential because many accessibility issues require human evaluation.

Experts assess:

• Keyboard navigation
• Text zooming and spacing
• Focus order
• Form usability
• Content structure
• Error handling
• User interactions
  
  

Step 4: Assistive Technology Testing

Accessibility specialists test the website using technologies such as:

• Screen readers
• Magnifiers
• Voice control software
• Keyboard-only navigation

This helps replicate real user experiences.

Step 5: Reporting and Recommendations

The audit report documents:

• Accessibility issues
• WCAG success criteria affected
• Severity levels
• Recommended fixes
• Prioritized remediation roadmap
  
  

Step 6: Remediation and Validation

Once issues are addressed, follow-up testing confirms that accessibility barriers have been successfully resolved.

How Often Should You Conduct an Accessibility Audit?

Accessibility should not be treated as a one-time project.

Organizations should conduct audits:

• During website redesigns
• Before major launches
• After significant updates
• Annually at minimum
• Continuously for large digital ecosystems
  
  

Regular audits help ensure accessibility remains integrated into ongoing development processes.

Choosing the Right Accessibility Audit Partner

When selecting an accessibility services provider, consider whether they offer:

• Proper certification and empanelment
• WCAG expertise
• Manual accessibility testing
• Assistive technology testing
• Detailed remediation guidance
• VPAT support
• Accessibility training
• Ongoing compliance monitoring
  
  

A strong audit partner not only identifies issues but also helps your organization build long-term accessibility maturity.

Conclusion

An accessibility audit is one of the most effective ways to identify digital barriers, improve user experience, and achieve accessibility compliance. As regulations evolve and user expectations increase, organizations can no longer afford to treat accessibility as an afterthought.

Whether you’re preparing for WCAG compliance, reducing legal risk, improving customer experience, or expanding your audience reach, a comprehensive website accessibility audit provides the foundation for creating inclusive digital experiences.

Accessibility is not simply about compliance—it’s about ensuring that everyone can access, understand, and interact with your digital content. By conducting regular accessibility audits, organizations take an important step toward a more inclusive digital future.

Need an Accessibility Audit?

SaralX helps organizations evaluate, remediate, and maintain accessible digital experiences through comprehensive accessibility audits, WCAG assessments, accessibility testing, and compliance consulting. Contact our team to learn how we can help make your website accessible to all users.