Have you ever clicked on a website and immediately gotten lost because nothing seemed to work the way you expected? Maybe you couldn’t find the right button, or the page layout was all over the place. Now imagine facing those same frustrations but with the added challenge of a visual, auditory, or motor disability. Navigating the web shouldn’t feel like an obstacle course—it should be intuitive and inclusive for everyone.
If you’re a website owner or business owner in the United States, you might already know that accessibility is becoming more than just a nice-to-have. It’s a key part of good customer service, protects you from legal risks, and, quite simply, it’s the right thing to do. But where do you start?
One of the first steps many people take is running automated scans.
These scans promise a quick way to spot accessibility issues on your site. Yet, while they can be extremely helpful, they’re far from perfect. In this article, we’ll explore the ups and downs of automated scans—what they can do, where they fail, and how to blend them into a solid strategy that also includes manual testing and expert help.
What Are Automated Accessibility Scans?
Automated scans are software tools that crawl through your website’s code, looking for red flags based on standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)). Think of these tools like the spellcheck in your word processor: they can spot a lot of mistakes, but they can’t always tell you if you’re using the right words in the right context.
What Do Automated Scans Detect?
Plenty of free and paid tools exist. Some are browser extensions (like WAVE or Google’s Lighthouse), while others are built-in services that run regular checks on your website. They’re great at picking up on common coding issues such as:
- Missing or poorly written alternative text on images
- Low color contrast between text and background
- Improper heading levels (skipping from an H1 to an H3 without an H2, for example)
- Misapplied ARIA attributes
- Certain missing form labels
If your site has glaring accessibility mistakes, automated scans can flag those quickly. They’ll often give you a handy list of what’s wrong, along with references to WCAG guidelines or best practices on how to fix each issue. That’s a huge benefit if you’re new to accessibility and need a push in the right direction.
How Automated Scans Can Help You
Let’s look at some of the biggest advantages of automated scans—and how they fit into your overall web development workflow.
Speed and Efficiency
Manual reviews take time, especially for large websites. An automated tool, on the other hand, can process hundreds or even thousands of pages in a shorter timeframe. This is especially handy if you regularly add or change content.
Spotting the “No-Brainers”
Many accessibility issues are straightforward coding mistakes—like forgetting to add “alt” text to images. Automated scanners are perfect for picking up on these. They’re quick, consistent, and thorough in locating these common errors.
Routine Monitoring
Some automated scan tools offer scheduled checks, which is terrific for ongoing maintenance. You can set them to run weekly or monthly scans and then get alerts if something new pops up, letting you address problems before they spiral.
Raising Awareness
For those brand-new to digital accessibility, automated tools can serve as a mini crash course. They highlight rules like ensuring sufficient color contrast or labeling form fields properly, helping you learn accessibility basics as you go.
Ease of Use
Many automated scanners come with user-friendly dashboards or plugins. You don’t have to be a coding genius to interpret most of the results. Often, the tool itself provides guidance on how to fix whatever it finds.
The Real-World Limitations of Automated Scans
As powerful as they are, automated scans also have notable blind spots (no pun intended). If you rely solely on these tools, you could end up with a site that technically passes certain checks but still feels like a maze for users with disabilities.
Lack of Context
A scanner can confirm if there’s alt text on an image, but it can’t determine if that text is accurate or helpful. An automated report might be happy to see you labeled your button as “Button,” but that label doesn’t tell a user what the button actually does.
Missing Nuances
Some accessibility aspects aren’t purely code-based; they’re about user experience and clarity. For example, is your site’s language too complicated for people with cognitive disabilities? Or is the layout tricky for those navigating with a screen reader? Automated tools struggle with these questions because they can’t judge user-friendliness the same way a person can.
False Flags
It’s common to get false positives (where the tool flags a problem that might not actually be a problem) or false negatives (where the tool fails to spot a genuine issue). This can lead you down the wrong path or lull you into thinking your site is perfectly fine when it’s not.
Limited Scenarios
Accessibility is more than code. What happens when someone uses only a keyboard to navigate your site? Or how does your site work for someone who relies on voice commands or a screen reader? Automated scans can’t replicate all these scenarios.
Overconfidence and the Need for Manual Testing
Automated tools can create a false sense of security. Just because a scanner says you’re 90% accessible doesn’t mean your site is truly welcoming for all. This is where manual testing comes in.
Beyond the Scan: Why Manual Testing Still Rules
Manual testing is where you or a tester interacts with your site in a more human way. Yes, it’s more time-intensive, but it’s also where you’ll uncover issues an automated tool can’t detect.
Keyboard-Only Navigation
One of the most fundamental manual tests is trying to tab through your site without using a mouse. If you can’t reach a menu item or submit a form using only the keyboard, that’s a major red flag.
Screen Reader Assessments
Automated scans might say you have alt text in all the right places, but only a real screen reader test will tell you if that text makes sense in context. Does it describe important images properly? Does the reading order make sense, or does it jump around the page?
Real Users, Real Feedback
Inviting people with various disabilities to use your site can reveal issues you never even knew existed. Maybe certain wording is confusing, or a CAPTCHA system is impossible to complete using assistive technology. Nothing beats firsthand feedback.
Manual testing fills the gaps that scanners leave behind, ensuring your site isn’t just “passing a test” but actually creating a positive experience. While it can require more resources (time and possibly hiring outside help), the results are worth it.
Keeping Accessibility an Ongoing Priority
Accessibility isn’t something you do once and forget about. Think of your website as a living, breathing entity: you add content, tweak layouts, and launch new features over time. Each change could introduce fresh accessibility challenges.
So, how exactly do automated scans fit into a more complete approach to accessibility?
Putting It All Together: A Holistic Accessibility Game Plan
- Start with an Automated Scan – Run a scan and fix low-hanging fruit, such as missing alt text and color contrast problems.
- Add Manual Checks – Navigate your site using only a keyboard and a screen reader. Identify areas that feel confusing or broken.
- Get Professional Input – If your site is critical to your business, hire an accessibility specialist for a thorough audit.
- Keep It Going – Schedule periodic scans, manual audits, and staff training. Accessibility should be part of your workflow.
- Stay Informed – Follow updates to WCAG and relevant U.S. laws, and continue learning from accessibility experts.
The Best of Both Worlds: Automated and Manual Testing
Achieving true web accessibility requires more than just running a quick scan—it demands a balanced approach that combines the speed of automation with the insight of manual testing. Automated tools can help identify glaring issues, but only real human interaction can ensure a seamless experience for all users. By integrating both strategies, you’re not just checking a compliance box—you’re creating a more inclusive, user-friendly web presence that benefits everyone.
Start your journey toward full web accessibility today—reach out to 216digital using the form below! Our team of accessibility experts is ready to assess your site and provide tailored solutions to ensure that all visitors can easily access your content. Don’t let accessibility remain an afterthought—take the first step towards a more inclusive online presence now.