--- title: 5 Common Digital Accessibility Issues to Avoid (Guest Post) description: Here are 5 common usability challenges that assistive technology users may find on your website, according to a student with a visual disability image: https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/brielle.jpg --- - [skip to menu](https://blog.usablenet.com/common-digital-accessibility-issues-to-avoid#nav) - [skip to content](https://blog.usablenet.com/common-digital-accessibility-issues-to-avoid#main-content) - [skip to footer](https://blog.usablenet.com/common-digital-accessibility-issues-to-avoid#footer) Test the accessibility of your website for free! Try UsableNet AQA. [Test now!](https://usablenet.com/automated-accessibility-testing-tool) Close [![UsableNet home](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/logo.png?width=429&height=62&name=logo.png)](https://usablenet.com/) - [Solutions](https://usablenet.com) ## Solutions [UsableNet Assistive](https://usablenet.com/technology/assistive-technology-services) A managed service combining experts, technology and legal support to make your website accessible [UsableNet AQA](https://usablenet.com/technology/aqa) Accessibility management and testing software for designers, developers, and testers [Accessibility Audits & Support Services](https://usablenet.com/services) Expert guidance and training to empower your team to create accessible digital experiences Explore which of our digital accessibility solutions is right for you [Watch a Demo](https://info.usablenet.com/choose-a-demo?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1737658630173.1737669055746.199&__hssc=181257784.7.1737669055746&__hsfp=3011104808) - [Resources](https://usablenet.com/resources) ## Resources - [E-books & Guides](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=E-books%20and%20Guides) - [Case Studies](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Case%20Studies) - [Reports](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Reports) - [Webinars](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Webinars) - [Tools](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Tools) - [All Resources](https://usablenet.com/resources) ## Essential Resources ![](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/resources-1.png?width=100&height=100&name=resources-1.png) [ADA accessibility lawsuit tracker](https://info.usablenet.com/ada-website-compliance-lawsuit-tracker) ![](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/resources-2.png?width=100&height=100&name=resources-2.png) [Checklist: how to achieve and maintain digital accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/digital-website-accessibility-checklist) ![](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/resources-3.png?width=100&height=100&name=resources-3.png) [Which remediation approach is right for me?](https://info.usablenet.com/website-accessibility-remediation-quiz) ![](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ADA%20Primer.png?width=100&height=100&name=ADA%20Primer.png) [A Primer on ADA and Digital Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/a-primer-on-ada-and-digital-accessibility) The EAA is in Effect — Is Your Website Compliant? [Get Help with EN 301 549 Compliance](https://info.usablenet.com/eaa-en-301-549-compliance) - [Who We Serve](https://usablenet.com/strategic-relationships) ## Industry [E-commerce and Consumer Goods](https://info.usablenet.com/e-commerce-accessibility-solutions) [Food Service and Hospitality](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-food-service-hospitality) [Banking and Financial Services](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-financial-services) [Healthcare](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-healthcare) [Technology and Business Services](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-technology-and-business-services) [Public Sector and Education](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-public-sector-and-education) ## Compliance [Canadian Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-canada) [European Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/eaa-en-301-549-compliance) [Other International Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-international) [United States Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-united-states) 2026 Midyear report on digital accessibility lawsuits in the US [Download Now](https://info.usablenet.com/2026-midyear-report) - [Pricing](https://usablenet.com/pricing) - [Blog](https://blog.usablenet.com/) - [About Us](https://usablenet.com/about-us) [Get a Demo](https://info.usablenet.com/contact) Close Open Menu - Solutions ## Solutions [UsableNet Assistive](https://usablenet.com/technology/assistive-technology-services) A managed service combining experts, technology and legal support to make your website accessible [UsableNet AQA](https://usablenet.com/technology/aqa) Accessibility management and testing software for designers, developers, and testers [Accessibility Audits & Support Services](https://usablenet.com/services) Expert guidance and training to empower your team to create accessible digital experiences Which accessibility remediation approach is right for me? [Take our Quiz](https://info.usablenet.com/website-accessibility-remediation-quiz) - Resources ## Resources [E-books & Guides](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=E-books%20and%20Guides) [Case Studies](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Case%20Studies) [Reports](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Reports) [Webinars](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Webinars) [Tools](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Tools) [All Resources](https://usablenet.com/resources) ## Essential Resources [ADA accessibility lawsuit tracker](https://info.usablenet.com/ada-website-compliance-lawsuit-tracker?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [Checklist: how to achieve and maintain digital accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/digital-website-accessibility-checklist?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [Which remediation approach is right for me?](https://info.usablenet.com/website-accessibility-remediation-quiz?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [A Primer on ADA and Digital Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/a-primer-on-ada-and-digital-accessibility?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) The EAA is in Effect — Is Your Website Compliant? [Get Help with EN 301 549 Compliance](https://info.usablenet.com/eaa-en-301-549-compliance?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) - Who We Serve ## Industry [E-commerce and Consumer Goods](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-e-commerce-consumer-goods) [Food Service and Hospitality](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-food-service-hospitality) [Banking and Financial Services](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-financial-services) [Healthcare](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-healthcare) [Technology and Business Services](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-technology-and-business-services) [Public Sector and Education](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-public-sector-and-education) ## Compliance [Canadian Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-canada) [European Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-europe) [Other International Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-international) [United States Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-united-states) 2026 Midyear report on digital accessibility lawsuits in the US [Download Now](https://info.usablenet.com/2026-midyear-report) - [Pricing](https://usablenet.com/pricing) - [Blog](https://blog.usablenet.com/) - [About Us](https://usablenet.com/about-us) [Get a Demo](https://info.usablenet.com/contact) # 5 Common Digital Accessibility Issues to Avoid (Guest Post) **By** [Brielle Cayer](https://blog.usablenet.com/author/brielle-cayer) on Apr 14, 2021 **Topics:** [Web Accessibility](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/web-accessibility), [User Experience](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/user-experience) 0 Comments - - - ![Guest Author Brielle Cayer, a young person with long brown hair smiling](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/brielle.jpg) Editor's Note: We are delighted to share the second post in our series by UsableNet's Spring Marketing Intern, Brielle Cayer. Read more about Brielle in her first post, ["Assistive Technology: What It Is and How it Helps Me."](https://blog.usablenet.com/assistive-technology-what-it-is-and-how-it-helps-me) In this post, Brielle explains the most common usability challenges she has found as a student who is navigating the online world with a visual disability. As a legally blind student, I’ve had extensive experience dealing with usability issues when using the web. Considering that [97% of top websites](https://blog.usablenet.com/97-of-top-websites-fail-wcag-2-test-new-study-finds) fail the [test for ADA web accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/accessibility-testing), this is not surprising. I can usually tell if a website is inaccessible within the first 30 seconds. If I come across an accessibility issue right away, I'll simply exit the page and find an alternative. At that point, I am not invested enough in the website to waste my time with obstacles.  What’s even more irking (and common) is when I believe that a website might be fully accessible only to have my hopes crushed by a simple, missed accessibility error. Paying attention to and taking steps to prevent these complications can have a positive impact on the experience and impression that your website gives your customers.  ## What Makes a Site Inaccessible All it takes is one (seemingly) tiny accessibility error for a website to go from great to subpar. Most of the challenges I face as a [screen magnifier user](https://blog.usablenet.com/assistive-technology-what-it-is-and-how-it-helps-me) aren't blatant enough to prevent me from using the website. Instead, these nuisances pile upon each other, one by one, until I leave the webpage, unsatisfied and frustrated. Unfortunately, this is a regular occurrence for me.  Many of these mentioned issues are hard-to-catch and remain unidentified by automated accessibility testing. It is absolutely imperative that companies employ [user testing](https://info.usablenet.com/digital-accessibility-support-services/user-testing) by members of the disabled community, rather than relying solely on [automated WCAG testing alone](https://blog.usablenet.com/automated-wcag-testing-is-not-enough-for-web-accessibility-ada-compliance) or [ineffective overlays/widgets](https://blog.usablenet.com/3-reasons-why-accessibility-overlays-fall-short). A real user of assistive technology can find and explain issues that a machine would never identify on its own.  ## 5 Common Digital Accessibility Issues to Avoid In my experience, there are 5 common usability challenges that impact my experience on a website. You should do your best to avoid the following when thinking about the accessibility and usability of your website. **1. Weak color contrast** Like many [visually impaired individuals](https://blog.usablenet.com/10-website-compliance-dos-and-donts-for-the-visually-impaired), I have trouble differentiating between certain colors. Strong color contrast between the text and background is critical for me to be able to read your website content. **2. Lack of text resizing** Nothing is more frustrating than when I have a lengthy online reading due for a class, and when I go to zoom in on the page (I press the CTRL key and the + key), the text doesn’t reformat to fit the page.  Instead, I am forced to either zoom out and squint, or I must scroll the page from the left to right and back for every line of text (this is why I also dislike PDF readings... but that's another topic.) As you might imagine, this gets pretty exhausting! Many websites don't properly handle page zoom. Fewer seem to accommodate [text-only zoom](https://scottvinkle.me/blogs/work/text-zoom) such as this popular Chrome browser extension. Seeing as this extension serves over 10,000 users, websites should definitely pay attention to this option as well. **3. Hard-to-close pop-ups** I have definitely exited websites because of difficult-to-close pop-ups. Many times, I cannot locate the “X” because of placement and colors (when in high contrast mode, I often can’t see the “X” until I scroll over it). I also sometimes get stuck and must zoom out because the exit button is on the bottom, and the website won’t let me scroll down the pop-up. I mostly see this with ads, subscription newsletter signups, and sometimes chat boxes.   **4. Alt text** This one is pretty self-explanatory, which is why it's surprising that I have to list it here.  Please include good, descriptive [alt text](https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/image-alt-text) on all links and images; it makes everyone’s web experience easier!  **5. Device Versatility** I’ll be frank; there are way too many pitiful mobile websites. It’s such a bummer when a website is easy to use on my computer but then it becomes impossible to follow when viewed on my phone. Companies should note [recent studies](https://www.statista.com/statistics/306528/share-of-mobile-internet-traffic-in-global-regions/) that show the majority of this year’s website views came from mobile devices. Trends like this should convince anyone; [multi-screen accessibility](https://blog.usablenet.com/multi-screen-success-remains-the-missing-piece-of-brands-mobile-efforts) is an absolute must!  ## Bringing it all Together Every website is different, just as every online user is different. My advice? Test, test, test! Use every and all testing options, including manual, automatic, and by users with diverse disabilities. [![→ Read how to build a complete Accessibility Testing Program in our free guide. ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3280432/6922792a-d0e2-49cc-8b05-64deb9a47db0.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3280432/6922792a-d0e2-49cc-8b05-64deb9a47db0) Even better, hire an all-encompassing accessibility solutions partner like UsableNet to take care of the heavy lifting, and free your staff to focus on the growth of your business. [![Partner with us. Get in touch..](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3280432/34f54ed4-8696-43c9-b740-a3982b4b5d91.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3280432/34f54ed4-8696-43c9-b740-a3982b4b5d91) ![Brielle Cayer](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/brielle.jpg) ### [Brielle Cayer](https://blog.usablenet.com/author/brielle-cayer) Brielle Cayer is a student at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business in New York City, pursuing a B.S. in Global Marketing and Consumer Insights, as well as an M.S. in Business Analytics. She is currently serving as UsableNet’s Marketing Intern for Spring 2021. In the future, she hopes to work in marketing research and data analysis. - - - - ### Related posts ![Hotel Website Accessibility: Check-in, Messaging, and In-Stay Barriers for Blind Guests](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Check-in, Messaging, and In-Stay Barriers for Blind Guests](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-check-in-and-in-stay-barriers-for-blind-guests) Jul 15, 2026 ![Hotel Website Accessibility: Browsing Room Options](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Browsing Room Options](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-browsing-room-options) Jul 14, 2026 ![Inside the 2026 Midyear Numbers: The ADA continues to be the ONLY true enforcement around](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Registration%20-%20Midyear%20Report.png) [Inside the 2026 Midyear Numbers: The ADA continues to be the ONLY true enforcement around](https://blog.usablenet.com/inside-the-2026-midyear-numbers-where-digital-accessibility-litigation-is-going) Jul 8, 2026 ![Real Estate Website Accessibility: Property Listing Pages and Screen Readers](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Real%20Estate%20Website%20Accessibility%20-%20Property%20Listing%20Pages%20and%20Screen%20Readers%201200%20x%20630.png) [Real Estate Website Accessibility: Property Listing Pages and Screen Readers](https://blog.usablenet.com/real-estate-website-accessibility-property-listing-pages-and-screen-readers) Jul 7, 2026 ### Sign Up for the UsableNet Blog ### Recent Posts ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Check-in, Messaging, and In-Stay Barriers for Blind Guests](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-check-in-and-in-stay-barriers-for-blind-guests) Jul 15, 2026 ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Browsing Room Options](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-browsing-room-options) Jul 14, 2026 ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Registration%20-%20Midyear%20Report.png) [Inside the 2026 Midyear Numbers: The ADA continues to be the ONLY true enforcement around](https://blog.usablenet.com/inside-the-2026-midyear-numbers-where-digital-accessibility-litigation-is-going) Jul 8, 2026 ### Posts by Topic - [Web Accessibility (311)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/web-accessibility) - [User Experience (113)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/user-experience) - [ADA Lawsuits (45)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/ada-lawsuits) - [ADA Website Compliance (38)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/ada-website-compliance) - [European Accessibility Act (34)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/european-accessibility-act) - [Mobile Web (30)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/mobile-web) - [Mobile Apps (27)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/mobile-apps) - [Retail (27)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/retail) ![](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Consultation%20Icon.svg) Need to improve digital usability, accessibility or performance? We can help. [Partner with us. Get in touch..](https://usablenet.com/getintouch?hsCtaTracking=34f54ed4-8696-43c9-b740-a3982b4b5d91%7Cf4246c48-bf25-487f-9058-34abb838058e) ## Page Footer ### Have a question? **Contact Us** [Book a Consultation](https://calendly.com/usablenet-accessibility/introduction?month=2025-02) [Watch a Demo](https://info.usablenet.com/choose-a-demo) ### Solutions - [UsableNet Assistive](https://usablenet.com/technology/assistive-technology-services) - [UsableNet AQA](https://usablenet.com/technology/aqa) - [Accessibility Audit & Support Services](https://usablenet.com/services) - [Pricing and Plans](https://usablenet.com/pricing) ### Resource Library - [Blog](https://blog.usablenet.com/) - [E-Books](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=E-books%20and%20Guides) - [Case Studies](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Case%20Studies) - [Reports](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Reports) - [Test your website for accessibility](https://usablenet.com/automated-accessibility-testing-tool) - [ADA Monthly Lawsuit Tracker](https://info.usablenet.com/ada-website-compliance-lawsuit-tracker) - [Webinars](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Webinars) - [All Resources](https://usablenet.com/resources?all=true) ### Who We Serve - [Public Sector and Education](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-public-sector-and-education) - [Banking and Financial Services](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-financial-services) - [E-commerce and Consumer Goods](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-e-commerce-consumer-goods) - [Food Service and Hospitality](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-food-service-hospitality) - [Healthcare](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-healthcare) - [Technology and Business Services](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-technology-and-business-services) ### Compliance - [European Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-europe) - [United States Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-united-states) ### Company - [About Us](https://usablenet.com/about-us) - [LLM Resources](https://usablenet.com/for-ai-assistants) [Accessibility Support](https://blog.usablenet.com/support)| [Privacy Policy](https://blog.usablenet.com/privacy)| [Accessibility Statement](https://blog.usablenet.com/accessibility-statement)| [Diversity and Inclusion Statement](https://blog.usablenet.com/diversity-and-inclusion)| Accessibility Status | [Technology Patents](https://blog.usablenet.com/technology/patent) ## **Sign Up** for the **UsableNet Blog** Join our mailing list to receive email notifications when we publish a new blog, infographic, whitepaper or newsletter. Stay up-to-date on our insights, the latest tech news and digital trends. ![International Association of Accessibility Professionals logo](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/IAAP-logo.png?width=150&height=81&name=IAAP-logo.png) © 2026 UsableNet Inc. ![International Association of Accessibility Professionals logo](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/IAAP-logo.png?width=150&height=81&name=IAAP-logo.png) © 2026 UsableNet Inc. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Brielle Cayer", "url" : "https://blog.usablenet.com/author/brielle-cayer" }, "dateModified" : "2021-06-02T12:38:11.095Z", "datePublished" : "2021-04-14T13:15:00.000Z", "headline" : "5 Common Digital Accessibility Issues to Avoid (Guest Post)", "image" : [ "https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/brielle.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.usablenet.com/common-digital-accessibility-issues-to-avoid", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/UsableNet%20Logo_Black.png" }, "name" : "UsableNet Inc." } } ```