Accessibility can feel like an overwhelming mountain to climb. Every round of accessibility testing uncovers new problems—some obvious, others hidden deep in the code or design. Where do you start when everything seems important? What if you tackle the wrong issue first, leaving users still stuck?

These questions are important, and the answers can transform how your website serves all visitors. This guide isn’t just about fixing problems—it’s about focusing your efforts where they matter most. By exploring WebAIM’s four-level severity framework, you’ll learn how to prioritize issues effectively and make meaningful progress toward an inclusive website. Let’s dive in and figure this out together.

WebAIM’s Four-Level Severity Framework

WebAIM (Web Accessibility in Mind) categorizes accessibility issues into four levels of severity based on their impact on users. These categories help prioritize fixes by focusing on barriers that significantly affect user experience and access.

Critical Issues

Critical issues completely block users from accessing specific parts of your website or performing essential tasks. Addressing these issues should be the highest priority. Examples include:

• Interactive elements, such as buttons or form inputs, that cannot be reached or activated using a keyboard.
• Videos without captions, which exclude users who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Content that flashes or strobes in a way that could cause seizures for individuals with photosensitive epilepsy.

To prevent these barriers, developers should prioritize using accessible, native HTML elements and perform thorough accessibility testing, including keyboard and screen reader evaluations, during the development process.

Significant Issues

Significant issues do not entirely block access but make interacting with the website cumbersome or frustrating for users. Examples include:

• Missing visual focus indicators, which make it challenging for keyboard users to identify the currently focused element.
• Poor color contrast that makes text difficult to read for users with visual impairments.

These issues disrupt the user experience and should be addressed soon after critical issues to enhance accessibility.

Moderate Issues

Moderate issues require users to expend unnecessary effort or time to navigate and interact with web content but do not entirely impede access. Examples include:

• Lack of properly structured semantic HTML, such as headings and regions, which slows navigation for screen reader users.
• Generic or vague  descriptive link text (e.g., “Click here”) that fails to describe the destination or action clearly.
• Animations that lack user controls, making it difficult for some users to focus on other content.

Comprehensive accessibility testing ensures these moderate issues are identified and addressed to improve usability for all users.

Minor Issues

Minor issues do not create significant barriers but contribute to a polished and professional user experience when resolved. Examples include:

• Slight inconsistencies in focus styles for keyboard navigation.
• Overuse of ARIA attributes, such as redundant tabindex values on elements that are already focusable.

While not urgent, fixing minor issues during routine updates demonstrates attention to detail and commitment to accessibility best practices.

Step-by-Step Guide to Prioritizing Accessibility Fixes

Feeling unsure where to start? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Here’s a simple plan to categorize and tackle accessibility issues step by step:

1. Conduct a Comprehensive Accessibility Audit

Begin by testing your site with tools like  WAVE and Lighthouse. Then, complement these results with manual testing—navigate your site with a keyboard, try a screen reader, and zoom your browser window. Automated tools catch many issues, but hands-on testing uncovers usability challenges they miss.

2. Categorize Issues by Severity

Use WebAIM’s framework to prioritize fixes:

• Critical issues should top your list, as they directly prevent access.
• Serious issues come next, addressing significant usability gaps.
• Moderate and minor issues can be grouped for later phases.

A structured approach to accessibility testing ensures the most pressing barriers are resolved first.

3. Consider the Impact on Your Audience

Think about how each issue affects your users. For example, missing alt text on product images affects a wide audience and should take precedence. If you have user feedback, use it to identify pain points that need urgent attention.

4. Focus on High-Traffic and High-Value Pages

Start your efforts where they’ll have the greatest impact:

• Homepage and landing pages.
• Key interaction points like forms or checkout pages.
• Frequently accessed resources such as blogs or FAQs.

By targeting these areas during accessibility testing, you ensure that the improvements benefit the largest number of users.

5. Use a Phased Approach for Moderate and Minor Issues

After resolving critical and serious issues, create a plan for tackling moderate and minor ones. For instance:

• Update heading structures during new content creation.
• Fix descriptive link text during routine content reviews.

Breaking these tasks into smaller phases makes the process manageable and less overwhelming.

6. Test and Retest

After making fixes, conduct accessibility testing again. If possible, involve users with disabilities to confirm your solutions work in real-world scenarios. Their feedback is invaluable and can guide future improvements.

Tools and Techniques for Effective Accessibility Testing

A good mix of tools and techniques ensures you catch both technical and usability issues. Here’s what to try:

• Automated Tools: WAVE and Lighthouse are great for spotting common errors.
• Manual Testing: Use a keyboard or screen reader to experience your site like some users do.
• Color Contrast Checkers: WebAIM’s Contrast Checker ensures text is easy to read.
• User Testing: Working with people who have disabilities provides first hand insights.

Why Prioritization Matters

Prioritizing fixes has clear benefits:

• Faster Results: You can address critical barriers quickly and make your site accessible sooner.
• Better Use of Resources: Time and budget go toward solving high-impact problems.
• Happier Users: Fixing severe issues first improves usability for everyone.

Taking things one step at a time, with regular accessibility testing, makes the process less overwhelming and helps you steadily improve your site.

Final Thoughts

Accessibility can feel like a big undertaking, but it doesn’t have to be. By focusing on the most critical barriers first and conducting consistent accessibility testing, you can make real progress without burning out. Accessibility isn’t a one-time project—it’s an ongoing commitment to creating a better digital experience for all.

Imagine how many more people could enjoy your site if it were accessible to everyone. Whether you’re a developer, IT director, or content creator, each step you take helps make the web a more inclusive place.

And you don’t have to do it alone. 216digital is here to help. From audits to ongoing accessibility testing and monitoring, we’ll guide you every step of the way. Together, we can create a website that’s user-friendly, inclusive, and aligned with the latest standards. Schedule your consultation today, and let’s get started making your site the best it can be!