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Accessibility Audit

Detect WCAG 2.1 AA violations in 30 seconds. Get prioritized issues, plain-English explanations, and AI-generated code fixes — free, no account needed.

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Checks 60+ WCAG 2.1 AA criteria · Results in <30s · No credit card

4,605
ADA web lawsuits in 2023
26%
US adults with a disability
40%
Of WCAG caught automatically
30s
Time to complete an audit

What the Audit Checks

SiteArmor scans 60+ accessibility rules across six categories mapped to WCAG 2.1 success criteria. Every check is tied to a real user impact — blind users, motor-impaired users, people with cognitive disabilities, and users of assistive technologies.

👁Images & Media
12 checks
  • Missing alt text on images
  • Decorative images not hidden from screen readers
  • Video captions absent
  • Audio descriptions missing
  • Complex images lack long descriptions
⌨️Keyboard Navigation
9 checks
  • Focus indicators invisible or too low contrast
  • Keyboard traps (can't tab out)
  • No skip navigation link
  • Tab order illogical
  • Interactive elements not focusable
🎨Color & Contrast
8 checks
  • Text contrast below 4.5:1 (AA)
  • Large text below 3:1 contrast
  • Color as sole information carrier
  • Focus indicator contrast insufficient
  • Placeholder text too faint
📝Forms & Inputs
11 checks
  • Labels not associated with inputs
  • Error messages not descriptive
  • Required fields not indicated
  • Autocomplete attributes missing
  • Error identification missing
🏗Structure & Semantics
14 checks
  • Heading hierarchy skipped
  • Landmark regions absent
  • Language attribute missing
  • Tables lack headers
  • Lists marked up as paragraphs
📱Responsive & Motion
6 checks
  • Content not readable at 200% zoom
  • Touch targets under 44×44px
  • Animations without pause control
  • Content lost in portrait/landscape
  • Text in images (not resizable)

How the Audit Works

01

Enter your URL

Paste any public web page URL — homepage, product page, contact form, or checkout. No installation required.

02

Automated scan runs

SiteArmor loads your page and runs 60+ accessibility checks against WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria in under 30 seconds.

03

Issues ranked by severity

Every violation is categorized as Critical, Serious, Moderate, or Minor — so you know exactly what to fix first.

04

Get AI-powered fixes

Each issue comes with a plain-English explanation and AI-generated code snippets showing exactly how to fix your HTML.

05

Download PDF report

Export a professional compliance report to share with your dev team, clients, or legal counsel.

Automated vs Manual Audit: Which Do You Need?

Automated tools and manual expert audits serve different purposes. Here's how to decide what's right for your situation.

AspectAutomated (SiteArmor)Manual Expert Audit
Speed30 seconds2–5 days
CostFree – $49/mo$2,000–$10,000+
RepeatableYes — run after every deployNo — one-time engagement
Coverage~40% of WCAG criteria~100% of WCAG criteria
Screen reader testingNoYes
Cognitive accessibilityLimitedYes
Legal documentationPDF reportFull audit report
Best forContinuous monitoringFull compliance certification

Recommendation: Start with an automated audit to fix low-hanging fruit. If you've received an ADA demand letter or need full VPAT documentation, follow up with a manual audit.

What to Do With Your Audit Results

1

Fix Critical issues first

Critical violations block screen reader users entirely. Start here — missing form labels, images with no alt text, keyboard traps.

2

Fix Serious issues next

Serious issues create significant barriers. Low color contrast and missing landmarks fall here. High impact, often quick to fix.

3

Address Moderate issues

Moderate violations affect certain user groups. Inconsistent navigation, vague link text, and missing language attributes.

4

Publish an Accessibility Statement

Document your compliance status publicly. Shows good faith, provides user contact channel, and is legally recommended.

After fixing: Re-scan to verify violations are resolved. Accessibility can regress with new content or code — schedule recurring audits or add to your CI/CD pipeline. See our WCAG 2.1 Checklist for a complete reference to check against.

Why Website Accessibility Is a Legal Requirement

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III prohibits discrimination in places of public accommodation — and courts have consistently ruled that websites qualify. The DOJ finalized rules in April 2024 requiring state and local government websites to meet WCAG 2.1 AA; private businesses face the same standard in litigation.

Plaintiffs' firms send hundreds of demand letters per week to businesses with inaccessible websites. Settlement costs typically run $25,000–$100,000, plus remediation and ongoing monitoring. The average cost of proactive remediation: a few hundred dollars and a developer sprint.

Read our full guide on ADA website compliance to understand who is at risk, what violates the ADA, and how to establish a good-faith compliance program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a free accessibility audit enough for legal compliance?

An automated audit is a critical first step but covers roughly 40% of WCAG 2.1 criteria. Automated tools detect objective violations like missing alt text, low contrast ratios, and missing form labels. For full ADA/WCAG compliance — especially if you've received a demand letter — combine automated scanning with manual testing and an accessibility statement.

How often should I run an accessibility audit?

Run an audit after every significant code deploy or content update. Accessibility regressions are common — a new image added without alt text, a form field added without a label, or a CSS change that breaks focus indicators. Monthly scans at minimum; weekly if your site changes frequently.

What WCAG level does SiteArmor check?

SiteArmor checks against WCAG 2.1 Level AA, which is the legal standard referenced by the ADA, Section 508, EN 301 549 (EU), and most global accessibility regulations. Level AAA criteria are more stringent and generally not required by law.

Will fixing accessibility violations hurt my SEO?

No — the opposite is true. Many WCAG fixes directly improve SEO: alt text on images, proper heading hierarchy, descriptive link text, semantic HTML, fast load times, and mobile responsiveness are all ranking signals. Accessibility and SEO share a common foundation.

Can I scan pages behind a login?

The free tool scans publicly accessible pages. Pro accounts include dashboard access where you can scan any page. For authenticated routes, the recommended approach is to run audits in your staging environment or CI/CD pipeline before deployment.

What happens if I ignore accessibility violations?

ADA lawsuits for web accessibility reached 4,605 cases in 2023 — a 320% increase from 2019. Defendants typically settle for $25,000–$100,000+. Beyond legal risk, inaccessible sites exclude the 26% of US adults with a disability, limiting your reach and revenue.

Run Your Free Accessibility Audit

No signup required. Get your WCAG 2.1 AA score, prioritized issues, and AI fix suggestions in 30 seconds.

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Prefer a deeper audit? Generate an Accessibility Statement to document your current status.