Why You Need to Monitor and Report on Accessibility Continuously

Over 95% of the top one million websites failed to meet basic Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 standards, according to a WebAIM report. This means that the vast majority of online users with disabilities face barriers when trying to access digital content. In the United States alone, more than 61 million adults live with some form of disability, representing nearly 26% of the population, according to the CDC. Ignoring accessibility is not only a legal and ethical risk but a missed opportunity to engage a significant portion of users.

For IT and software QA product managers, decision-makers, and software testers, the message is clear: accessibility cannot be a one-time checkbox or an afterthought. Continuous monitoring and reporting on accessibility are essential to keep pace with evolving standards, new content, and user expectations. Doing so ensures your digital products remain inclusive, usable, and compliant, protecting your organization from costly litigation and reputational damage while expanding your market reach.

This blog explores why ongoing accessibility oversight is vital, the risks of neglecting it, and practical strategies to integrate continuous accessibility testing and reporting into your software development lifecycle.

Understanding the accessibility landscape

Accessibility is about more than just ticking boxes—it ensures that digital products are usable by people with a wide range of disabilities, including visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 16% of the global population lives with some form of disability, which translates into billions of potential users who rely on accessible digital experiences.

Unfortunately, many digital products fall short of these needs. Common accessibility issues include:

• Poor color contrast and font size make reading difficult for users with low vision or color blindness.
• Missing or incorrect alternative text for images, which screen readers depend on to describe visual content.
• Non-navigable interfaces, such as menus and forms that cannot be operated using a keyboard alone, impact users with motor impairments.
• Inconsistent or unclear content structure, which can confuse users with cognitive disabilities.

These barriers don’t just exclude users; they create friction that impacts overall user satisfaction, conversion rates, and brand loyalty. Accessibility failures also leave organizations vulnerable to lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny, especially as laws and guidelines evolve.

Continuous accessibility monitoring helps identify these issues early and often, before they affect real users or escalate into legal problems. It also fosters a culture of inclusion and quality throughout the development lifecycle, rather than relegating accessibility to a final-stage audit.

You may be interested: 6 Major Benefits of Accessibility Testing.

The legal imperative

The legal landscape surrounding digital accessibility is increasingly complex and active, especially in the United States. While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted decades ago, its application to websites and digital services has become a focus of growing judicial interpretation and enforcement in recent years.

In 2023, over 4,500 web accessibility-related lawsuits were filed in the U.S., marking a 13% increase compared to the previous year. These lawsuits often allege that organizations failed to provide accessible online content, effectively discriminating against users with disabilities. Although the ADA itself does not explicitly mention websites, courts have ruled that online platforms are covered under its mandate to provide equal access.

Additionally, other regulations like Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act require federal agencies and organizations receiving federal funds to ensure their digital content is accessible. Beyond federal laws, many states have enacted their accessibility standards, creating a patchwork of requirements that businesses must navigate.

Ignoring these legal obligations can lead to costly litigation, hefty fines, forced remediation, and significant reputational damage. For example, some lawsuits have resulted in settlements requiring organizations to overhaul their websites under court supervision, leading to unplanned expenses and operational disruption.

Continuous monitoring and reporting on accessibility help organizations stay ahead of these legal risks by:

• Identifying compliance gaps promptly
• Demonstrating good faith efforts to meet legal standards
• Maintaining up-to-date accessibility documentation and audit trails

By embedding accessibility into regular quality assurance processes, companies reduce their exposure to legal action and signal their commitment to inclusivity to customers, partners, and regulators alike.

You may be interested: How to Avoid ADA Website Lawsuits: The U.S. Accessibility Guide.

The business case for accessibility

Accessibility is not just a legal or ethical requirement—it is a smart business strategy. Companies that prioritize accessible digital experiences unlock several key advantages that drive growth, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency. Let’s take a look.

Broader market reach

First, accessibility broadens your potential audience. When your website or mobile application is accessible, you welcome millions of additional users who might otherwise be excluded. This expanded reach translates directly into more traffic, higher engagement, and increased revenue opportunities.

Higher SEO rankings

Second, accessible websites tend to perform better in search engine rankings. Search engines favor well-structured content, clear navigation, and descriptive alt text—all core elements of accessibility. This means your investment in accessibility can boost organic visibility and reduce your reliance on paid advertising.

Improved user experience

Third, focusing on accessibility improves the overall user experience for everyone. Features like clear headings, easy navigation, and readable fonts benefit not only users with disabilities but also those on mobile devices, with slow internet connections, or in noisy environments. Inclusive design often leads to simpler, more intuitive interfaces, reducing support calls and increasing customer loyalty.

Reduced cost in the long run

Finally, addressing accessibility early and continuously reduces costs. It’s far more expensive to retrofit accessibility fixes after launch than to build inclusivity into the product from the start. Continuous monitoring helps catch and resolve issues before they escalate, saving time, resources, and potential damage to your brand’s reputation.

Statistics support this view: 82% of consumers are more likely to buy from brands that demonstrate accessibility and inclusion. Moreover, accessible companies often report stronger employee morale and innovation, as inclusion permeates their culture and workflows.

For IT and QA leaders, investing in continuous accessibility monitoring is a proactive approach that delivers measurable business value, mitigates risk, and aligns with broader digital transformation goals.

You may be interested: Digital Accessibility Trends for 2025: What You Need to Know.

7 best practices for continuous accessibility monitoring

Ensuring digital accessibility is not a one-time task—it requires ongoing attention throughout the software development lifecycle. Continuous monitoring and reporting help catch new issues as content updates, features evolve, and standards change. Below are our 7 best practices to embed accessibility into your quality assurance strategy effectively:

1. Integrate accessibility into every phase of development

Embed accessibility considerations from project inception through design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Early involvement reduces costly rework later and ensures accessibility is a core feature rather than an afterthought.

2. Use a combination of automated and manual testing

Automated tools like Axe, WAVE, or Lighthouse efficiently detect common issues such as missing alt text or color contrast failures. However, they cannot identify all problems, especially those involving complex user interactions or cognitive accessibility. Complement automation with manual testing and expert audits to achieve comprehensive coverage.

3. Conduct regular accessibility audits

Schedule accessibility audits to evaluate overall compliance with WCAG guidelines and organizational standards. Audits help detect regressions, verify fixes, and identify emerging risks, enabling you to track progress and maintain accountability.

4. Involve users with disabilities in testing

Engage real users with disabilities through usability testing to uncover issues that automated tools miss. Their feedback provides valuable insights into how accessible your product truly is in real-world scenarios.

5. Establish clear reporting and documentation processes

Maintain detailed records of accessibility issues, remediation steps, and testing outcomes. Transparent reporting fosters communication between developers, testers, and stakeholders and demonstrates your commitment to inclusivity.

6. Stay updated on evolving standards and regulations

Accessibility guidelines and legal requirements evolve continually. Assign dedicated team members to monitor updates to WCAG, Section 508, ADA rulings, and related standards to ensure your product stays compliant.

7. Train your team on accessibility best practices

Provide ongoing education and resources for developers, testers, designers, and product managers. Building organizational accessibility expertise helps embed inclusive practices in everyday workflows.

By adopting these practices, organizations create a sustainable accessibility culture that minimizes risks, maximizes user satisfaction, and future-proofs digital products in an increasingly inclusive marketplace.

The round-up

Continuous monitoring and reporting on accessibility are essential for organizations committed to delivering inclusive digital experiences. Beyond meeting legal requirements, ongoing accessibility efforts improve user satisfaction, expand market reach, and enhance brand reputation. Accessibility is a dynamic challenge — as digital content evolves and standards update, regular oversight prevents regressions and uncovers new issues before they impact users.

For IT and software QA product managers, decision-makers, and testers, embedding accessibility into everyday workflows transforms it from a compliance checkbox into a strategic advantage. By integrating accessibility into your development lifecycle and maintaining transparent reporting, you ensure your digital products are usable by everyone, now and in the future.

If your organization is ready to prioritize accessibility and protect your business from legal and reputational risks, partner with a trusted QA and software testing provider specializing in accessibility services. Our team offers tailored solutions that include continuous accessibility monitoring, comprehensive reporting, and expert guidance to help you meet evolving standards confidently.

Ready to create an inclusive digital space? Contact us today to learn how we can support your accessibility goals and create digital experiences that welcome all users.