So, you’ve completed your website accessibility assessment. What’s next? Time to dig into remediation. From our experience, a few common issues tend to emerge across most sites. The good news? These are easy wins that can significantly improve your website’s usability for all visitors – and help you meet upcoming ADA Title II requirements that will make accessibility remediation a legal obligation for federally funded organizations.   

Here are three of the most common accessibility issues, and how to fix them.

1. Missing or Incorrect Alt Text

Alt text (short for alternative text) is read aloud by screen readers to describe images to users who can’t see them. It’s also displayed when images fail to load. If an image is purely decorative – meaning it doesn't convey content, or the content of the image is conveyed elsewhere in a caption or nearby text – you don’t need to describe it. Instead, use alt text (alt=””) to let screen readers skip over it. 

Deciding when to add descriptive alt text and when to use null alt text is ultimately up to your organization’s judgment. That's why it helps to create internal guidelines to keep content decisions consistent across your team.  

2. Empty Headings

Some web users, such as keyboard and screen reader users, navigate web pages by jumping between headings. When a heading tag is present but has no text inside, it creates a confusing experience. The user expects content but finds nothing.  

If you’re using a heading just to create visual spacing, consider using CSS styling or a different HTML element instead. Every heading should have meaningful content that guides users through the page.  

3. Low Color Contrast

Text and other user interface elements need to stand out clearly from their backgrounds so they’re easy to read – especially for people with low vision or color blindness. WCAG 2.1 Level AA recommends a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for body text and 3:1 for large or bold text. 

Use a color contrast checker to scan your site and adjust your color palette as needed. Don't forget about buttons, form fields, and links, as they need to meet contrast requirements, too.  

Addressing these common accessibility issues is a powerful first step toward achieving WCAG compliance. Remember to reassess your site as you implement changes to ensure successful remediation. Accessibility is an ongoing endeavor, so regular check-ins are key to maintaining and improving digital accessibility over time. By taking these steps, you're creating a better user experience for everyone – and actively contributing to greater digital equity.