Website Accessibility Violations: Most Common WCAG Failures by Industry

Different industries face different accessibility challenges. While some WCAG failures appear universally—low contrast text, missing alt text—industry-specific functionality creates patterns of violations unique to each sector. Understanding these patterns helps organizations prioritize remediation efforts and benchmark against industry peers.

This analysis examines the most common WCAG failures by industry, explaining why these patterns emerge and how to address them.

Universal Failures Across Industries

Before examining industry-specific patterns, recognize that certain failures appear everywhere.

Top 6 Universal Failures

According to WebAIM's annual accessibility analysis, these issues affect the majority of websites regardless of industry:

1. Low Contrast Text (WCAG 1.4.3)

• Affects 80%+ of sites
• Light gray text on white backgrounds
• Placeholder text with insufficient contrast
• Stylistic choices prioritizing aesthetics over readability

2. Missing Alt Text (WCAG 1.1.1)

• Affects 50%+ of sites
• Images without alternative text
• Meaningful images marked decorative
• Generic alt text ("image.jpg")

3. Missing Form Labels (WCAG 3.3.2)

• Affects 40%+ of sites
• Placeholder text as only "label"
• Visual labels not programmatically associated
• Missing labels entirely

4. Empty Links (WCAG 2.4.4)

• Links with no text content
• Icon-only links without labels
• Image links without alt text

5. Missing Document Language (WCAG 3.1.1)

• HTML lang attribute absent
• Simple fix often overlooked

6. Empty Buttons (WCAG 4.1.2)

• Buttons without accessible names
• Icon buttons without labels

E-commerce and Retail

E-commerce sites face accessibility challenges from complex product catalogs, interactive features, and transaction-focused functionality.

Common E-commerce Failures

Product Image Alt Text (WCAG 1.1.1)

E-commerce sites have thousands of product images, each requiring meaningful descriptions:

Pattern: Missing alt text, generic alt text ("product image"), or filename-only alt text

Impact: Screen reader users cannot understand products without visual access

Solution: Systematic alt text that describes products meaningfully—color, style, key features

Filter and Sort Controls (WCAG 2.1.1, 4.1.2)

Product filtering creates significant accessibility barriers:

Pattern: Custom dropdown filters not keyboard accessible, filter updates not announced, faceted navigation inaccessible

Impact: Users cannot narrow product selection via keyboard or screen reader

Solution: Accessible custom controls or native HTML alternatives, ARIA live regions for updates

Shopping Cart and Checkout (WCAG 3.3.1, 3.3.2, 2.1.1)

Transaction flows concentrate accessibility issues:

Pattern: Cart update buttons without clear labeling, checkout forms with accessibility errors, quantity selectors not keyboard operable

Impact: Users cannot complete purchases

Solution: Comprehensive form accessibility, clear error handling, keyboard-operable controls

Product Variant Selection (WCAG 4.1.2)

Size, color, and option selectors commonly fail:

Pattern: Color swatches without labels, size selectors not keyboard accessible, variant selection not announced to screen readers

Impact: Users cannot select product variants

Solution: Accessible custom controls with proper ARIA, clear labeling

For detailed e-commerce guidance, see our Shopify Accessibility Requirements.

Healthcare

Healthcare websites face unique challenges from complex medical information, patient portal functionality, and regulatory intersection.

Common Healthcare Failures

Patient Portal Authentication (WCAG 3.3.8, 2.1.1)

Login and authentication processes create barriers:

Pattern: CAPTCHAs without accessible alternatives, password fields blocking paste (preventing password managers), multi-factor authentication not accessible

Impact: Patients cannot access health records and services

Solution: Accessible CAPTCHA alternatives, password manager support, accessible MFA options

Medical Document Accessibility (WCAG 1.1.1, 1.3.1)

Health documents often fail accessibility:

Pattern: PDFs without proper tagging, scanned documents without OCR, test results as images without text alternatives

Impact: Patients cannot access their health information

Solution: Accessible PDF creation, proper document structure, text alternatives for graphical results

Appointment Scheduling (WCAG 2.1.1, 3.3.2, 4.1.2)

Scheduling interfaces commonly fail:

Pattern: Calendar widgets not keyboard accessible, time slot selection inaccessible, form validation errors not announced

Impact: Patients cannot schedule appointments independently

Solution: Accessible date pickers, proper form labeling, clear error handling

Telehealth Accessibility (WCAG 1.2.4, 2.1.1)

Remote healthcare creates accessibility needs:

Pattern: Video platforms without captions, controls not keyboard accessible, waiting rooms inaccessible

Impact: Patients cannot participate in telehealth

Solution: Captioning support, accessible video controls, accessible waiting experience

Financial Services

Banking and financial services face challenges from complex applications, account management interfaces, and security requirements.

Common Financial Failures

Account Dashboard Complexity (WCAG 1.3.1, 2.4.6)

Account overview pages create accessibility issues:

Pattern: Complex tables without proper headers, account data not properly structured, dashboard widgets inaccessible

Impact: Users cannot understand account status

Solution: Proper table structure, semantic HTML, accessible widget implementations

Transaction History (WCAG 1.3.1, 1.3.2)

Transaction listings commonly fail:

Pattern: Transaction tables without headers, sorting/filtering inaccessible, pagination not keyboard accessible

Impact: Users cannot review transactions

Solution: Accessible data tables, keyboard-operable controls

Form-Heavy Applications (WCAG 3.3.1, 3.3.2, 3.3.3)

Loan and account applications concentrate form issues:

Pattern: Multi-page forms losing context, unclear error messages, required field identification unclear

Impact: Users cannot complete applications

Solution: Progressive disclosure with accessibility, clear validation, error prevention

Security Balance (WCAG 3.3.8)

Security measures often harm accessibility:

Pattern: Session timeouts without warning, CAPTCHAs blocking access, password complexity communicated poorly

Impact: Security measures become barriers

Solution: Accessible security implementations, timeout warnings, accessible authentication

Government

Government websites must serve all citizens and face explicit accessibility requirements (Section 508), yet many still have significant barriers.

Common Government Failures

PDF Document Accessibility (WCAG 1.1.1, 1.3.1)

Government heavily relies on PDF documents:

Pattern: Scanned PDFs without OCR, documents without tag structure, forms as flat PDFs

Impact: Citizens cannot access government information

Solution: Accessible PDF creation, HTML alternatives, fillable accessible forms

Legacy System Integration (WCAG 4.1.2)

Old systems create persistent barriers:

Pattern: Legacy applications with outdated accessibility, iframes embedding inaccessible content, third-party systems without accessibility

Impact: Core government functions inaccessible

Solution: Legacy system remediation or replacement, accessible alternatives

Complex Forms (WCAG 3.3.2, 3.3.4)

Government forms are notoriously complex:

Pattern: Long forms without proper sectioning, unclear instructions, error handling after full submission

Impact: Citizens cannot complete required forms

Solution: Form breakdown with clear sections, inline validation, progressive disclosure

Meeting and Event Information (WCAG 1.1.1, 1.4.3)

Public meeting information often fails:

Pattern: Meeting locations as images, event calendars inaccessible, public comment systems not keyboard accessible

Impact: Citizens cannot participate in civic processes

Solution: Accessible event information, accessible calendars, accessible participation tools

Education

Educational institutions face challenges from learning management systems, course content, and student service platforms.

Common Education Failures

Learning Management Systems (WCAG 2.1.1, 4.1.2)

LMS platforms create systemic barriers:

Pattern: Discussion forums not keyboard accessible, quiz/test interfaces inaccessible, grade displays poorly structured

Impact: Students cannot fully participate in courses

Solution: LMS vendor accountability, accessible alternatives, accessibility testing before adoption

Course Content (WCAG 1.2.2, 1.1.1)

Instructor-created content varies wildly:

Pattern: Lecture videos without captions, presentation slides inaccessible, documents without structure

Impact: Students cannot access course materials

Solution: Captioning services, accessibility training for instructors, content accessibility guidelines

Application and Registration (WCAG 3.3.2, 2.1.1)

Student services have form challenges:

Pattern: Application forms with accessibility issues, course registration not keyboard accessible, complex financial aid forms

Impact: Students cannot apply or register

Solution: Accessible application systems, registration accessibility, form accessibility standards

Library and Research (WCAG 1.1.1, 1.3.1)

Academic resources often fail:

Pattern: Database search interfaces inaccessible, journal articles as inaccessible PDFs, citation tools not keyboard accessible

Impact: Students cannot conduct research

Solution: Accessible database interfaces, accessible document options, accessible research tools

Hospitality and Travel

Hotels, airlines, and travel services face challenges from booking interfaces, property information, and dynamic content.

Common Hospitality Failures

Booking Flows (WCAG 2.1.1, 3.3.2, 4.1.2)

Reservation systems commonly fail:

Pattern: Date pickers not keyboard accessible, room/seat selection inaccessible, guest count selectors inaccessible

Impact: Travelers cannot make reservations

Solution: Accessible date pickers, accessible selection interfaces, proper form implementation

Property/Vehicle Information (WCAG 1.1.1, 1.3.1)

Descriptive content often lacks accessibility:

Pattern: Room/property photos without alt text, amenity lists poorly structured, accessibility information ironically inaccessible

Impact: Travelers cannot evaluate options

Solution: Comprehensive image descriptions, structured amenity information, accessible accessibility information

Maps and Location (WCAG 1.1.1, 4.1.2)

Interactive maps create barriers:

Pattern: Map-only location presentation, inaccessible location search, route information only in map format

Impact: Travelers cannot find locations

Solution: Text address alternatives, accessible search, text directions

Dynamic Pricing (WCAG 4.1.3)

Price updates create announcement issues:

Pattern: Price changes not announced to screen readers, availability updates not communicated, dynamic content changes without notification

Impact: Users miss important information

Solution: ARIA live regions for updates, clear change announcements

Technology and SaaS

Software companies should lead in accessibility but often fail with complex application interfaces.

Common SaaS Failures

Dashboard Interfaces (WCAG 1.3.1, 2.4.6)

Analytics and reporting dashboards fail:

Pattern: Data visualizations without alternatives, complex layouts poorly structured, widget navigation inaccessible

Impact: Users cannot understand data

Solution: Chart alternatives, semantic structure, accessible dashboard design

Rich Text Editors (WCAG 2.1.1, 4.1.2)

Content creation tools often inaccessible:

Pattern: Editor toolbars not keyboard accessible, formatting not announced, content preview inaccessible

Impact: Users cannot create content

Solution: Accessible editor implementations, keyboard shortcuts, screen reader support

Notification Systems (WCAG 4.1.3)

Alerts and notifications fail communication:

Pattern: Notifications not announced to screen readers, toast messages disappearing too quickly, notification management inaccessible

Impact: Users miss important information

Solution: ARIA live regions, configurable timing, accessible notification management

Settings and Configuration (WCAG 2.4.3, 3.3.2)

Account settings commonly fail:

Pattern: Settings navigation inaccessible, toggle controls not properly labeled, form validation unclear

Impact: Users cannot configure products

Solution: Accessible navigation, properly labeled controls, clear validation

Addressing Industry-Specific Failures

Prioritization Approach

1. Identify critical paths — Focus on core user journeys first
2. Map industry patterns — Recognize which common failures affect your sector
3. Address universal issues — Fix contrast, alt text, and form labels everywhere
4. Target functionality — Remediate industry-specific feature accessibility
5. Monitor continuously — Prevent regression in fixed areas

Implementation Strategy

Template-Level Fixes: Many failures exist in templates/components used across the site. Fix once, apply everywhere.

Content Processes: Train content creators on industry-specific accessibility needs.

Vendor Assessment: Evaluate third-party tools for accessibility before adoption.

User Testing: Include users with disabilities in testing, especially for industry-specific workflows.

Taking Action

Understanding common WCAG failures in your industry helps focus remediation efforts effectively. Organizations should:

1. Audit against industry patterns to identify likely issues
2. Prioritize critical path remediation for core business functions
3. Address universal failures that appear across all industries
4. Implement ongoing monitoring to catch regressions
5. Train teams on industry-specific accessibility requirements

Schedule a TestParty demo and get a 14-day compliance implementation plan.

Related Resources

• WCAG Compliance Statistics 2025
• What is WCAG 2.2: Complete Guide
• Shopify Accessibility Requirements
• Form Accessibility Checklist