WCAG Compliance Auditing

EAA, 508 & ADA Compliance testing of websites, SaaS & mobile apps starts with WCAG auditing

The Web Content Accessibility Guideline (WCAG) serve as the standard for digital accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as the European Accessibility Act, Ontario’s AODA, and other global regulations. While cloud-based software, SaaS platforms, web apps, and mobile apps also require compliance, the primary legal focus remains on websites. The latest WCAG version is 2.2, but in practice, compliance requirements generally align with WCAG 2.1 A and AA for 508 and ADA compliance.

The most effective approach to WCAG testing combines both automated and manual evaluations. Despite advancements in AI, automated tools are still limited, detecting only about 30-40% of accessibility issues. That’s why we follow best practices with a three-step WCAG compliance audit, which includes automated scanning, human assistive technology testing, and manual UX and code reviews. If you need confidence in your WCAG compliance, our audits are conducted by highly skilled and credentialed accessibility experts.

Every member of our team is senior-level, with over ten years of experience in comprehensive WCAG audits and remediation consulting.

A few key points to keep in mind:

The European Accessibility Act (EAA), similar to GDPR, applies to U.S. companies that engage with EU citizens.
Be cautious of overlay solutions—not only do they fail to deliver on their promises, but they can also increase the risk of lawsuits.
Legal risks related to web accessibility are growing and unlikely to disappear.
The compliance process involves three steps: a website WCAG audit, followed by remediation, and then verification.
Automated testing tools, even with AI, can only detect about 30% of WCAG issues.

Before starting the process, consider where your website is in its lifecycle. Has it been updated in the past four or five years? If not, it may be more cost-effective to invest in a fully WCAG-compliant website designed and developed by accessibility experts, rather than spending resources on auditing and remediating an outdated site.

If your current website is in good shape and you’re ready to move forward with auditing and remediation, here’s what that process looks like:

What does web accessibility compliance auditing include?

Defect list

Defects are organized by WCAG criteria and component, with clear explanations based on the success criteria in violation.

Suggested Fixes

Code examples demonstrating how to potentially resolve the component violation.

Screenshots

Screenshots and screen recordings are provided to illustrate each defect and pinpoint its location.

Report summary

A clear summary of your site’s accessibility, outlining what was tested and how the evaluation was conducted.

Prioritization

Each defect is categorized by severity level to help your team understand the priority of the tasks.

Final Review

At the conclusion of the audit, our expert testers will answer questions and provide detailed explanations.

WCAG Compliance Auditing FAQs

What is a WCAG compliance audit, and why is it necessary?

A WCAG compliance audit is a structured evaluation of a website, SaaS platform, or mobile app to ensure it meets accessibility standards under the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). This process is crucial for ADA, Section 508, and European Accessibility Act (EAA) compliance and helps businesses mitigate legal risks while improving usability for people with disabilities.

Why is manual human testing essential for WCAG compliance?

Automated tools can only detect 30-40% of accessibility issues, missing critical barriers related to user experience, screen reader compatibility, and keyboard navigation. Manual human testing by trained accessibility professionals ensures that all WCAG violations are identified and properly addressed.

How does assistive technology testing improve accessibility compliance?

Assistive technology testing involves using screen readers, keyboard-only navigation, and other ATs to simulate how people with disabilities interact with a website. This step ensures compliance with WCAG’s functional criteria and addresses barriers that automated scans cannot detect.

What are common WCAG violations that require human testing to identify?

Issues such as improper heading structures, missing or incorrect ARIA labels, keyboard traps, inaccessible forms, and screen reader incompatibility require human testers to diagnose and verify. Automated tools often fail to catch these complex issues.

How does WCAG auditing help with ADA and Section 508 compliance?

Both the ADA and Section 508 require digital content to be accessible, and they reference WCAG as the standard. A WCAG audit helps organizations proactively identify and fix compliance violations, reducing legal risk and improving accessibility for users with disabilities.

Can automated accessibility tools replace a manual WCAG audit?

No. Automated tools provide a starting point for accessibility testing but cannot assess keyboard functionality, screen reader interactions, or complex UI elements. Human-led manual auditing is required to ensure full WCAG compliance.

What happens after a WCAG audit identifies compliance issues?

Following an audit, businesses receive a detailed accessibility report outlining WCAG violations, their severity, and recommended fixes. Accessibility consultants can also assist with remediation, testing, and validation to confirm compliance.

How frequently should websites and digital products undergo WCAG compliance testing?

A WCAG audit should be conducted at least annually, with additional testing required after major website updates, redesigns, or new feature launches to ensure ongoing compliance.

What industries benefit from WCAG compliance audits?

Any organization with a digital presence, including e-commerce, government, healthcare, education, finance, and SaaS companies, should undergo WCAG audits to ensure accessibility compliance and avoid legal risks.