AudioEye Releases 2025 Digital Accessibility Index, Revealing Widespread Compliance Risks for Businesses
Rhea-AI Summary
AudioEye (NASDAQ: AEYE) has released its 2025 Digital Accessibility Index, analyzing 15,000 websites across multiple industries. The study revealed an average of 297 accessibility issues per page, an eightfold increase from 37 issues in 2023, primarily due to improved testing capabilities.
Key findings show critical accessibility gaps:
- 38% of images lack proper alternative text
- 80% of pages have unclear link descriptions
- 35% of pages contain forms missing clear labels
The retail sector showed the highest vulnerability with 350.1 issues per page, while healthcare averaged 272 issues. The hospitality sector revealed 41% of pages had navigation problems for keyboard-only users. These accessibility barriers pose significant legal and compliance risks under ADA and EAA regulations.
Positive
- Improved testing capabilities detecting more accessibility issues
- Market leadership in WCAG testing capabilities
Negative
- Significant increase in detected accessibility issues (297 vs 37 in 2023)
- High vulnerability to potential lawsuits and regulatory penalties
- Substantial compliance gaps across major industries
News Market Reaction 1 Alert
On the day this news was published, AEYE declined 0.64%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Analysis of 15,000 websites finds an average of 297 accessibility issues per page, highlighting significant legal vulnerabilities across retail, hospitality, and other industries
This eightfold increase in issues detected is primarily due to improvements in AudioEye's automated testing capabilities, which can test more of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) than any other solution on the market.
"Many businesses don't realize their accessibility compliance gap until they take a closer look at their websites," said David Moradi, CEO of AudioEye. "This year's Index reveals the true scale of digital inaccessibility, and the results are alarming. The surge in detected issues highlights the risks and legal exposure companies face. Businesses that rely solely on automation to meet accessibility requirements are leaving significant gaps that could lead to lawsuits, lost customers, and regulatory penalties. True compliance requires both cutting-edge technology and custom fixes from experts."
Key Findings: Frequent Accessibility Issues Put Businesses at Risk
The 2025 Digital Accessibility Index reveals many accessibility failures related to website navigation and overall usability, significantly impacting the user experience for people with disabilities:
38% of images lacked proper alternative text (alt text), making it difficult for people with visual disabilities to interpret images, charts, and other non-text content.80% of pages had links without clear descriptions, preventing screen reader users from understanding their purpose before clicking.35% of pages had forms missing clear labels or instructions, creating obstacles for users relying on assistive technology to complete transactions, schedule appointments, or perform other tasks.
Impact of Accessibility Barriers Across Industries
The Index also highlights accessibility challenges across industries, many of which can disrupt essential user actions. A few examples from the report include:
- Retail: Retail websites had the highest number of accessibility issues across industries, with an average of 350.1 issues per page. Inaccessible product photos and mislabeled checkout forms hinder people with disabilities from completing purchases, impacting sales and customer acquisition.
- Hospitality:
41% of travel and hospitality webpages had accessibility issues that made it hard for keyboard-only users to navigate content, search, or make reservations–directly impacting their ability to book and modify travel. - Healthcare: On average, healthcare sites had 272 issues per page, including inaccessible forms, labels, and buttons that make it difficult for patients to schedule appointments, complete forms, or access test results.
Laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the European Accessibility Act (EAA) establish clear accessibility requirements, and non-compliance can result in lawsuits, regulatory fines, and lost revenue. As digital accessibility enforcement increases globally, businesses must be proactive to ensure compliance and maximum legal protection.
To view the full report, visit audioeye.com/2025-digital-accessibility-index/.
About AudioEye
AudioEye exists to ensure the digital future we build is accessible. The gold standard for digital accessibility, AudioEye's comprehensive solution combines industry-leading AI automation technology with expert fixes informed by the disability community. This powerful combination delivers industry-leading protection, ensuring businesses of all sizes — including over 126,000 customers like Samsung, Calvin Klein, and Samsonite — meet and exceed compliance standards. With 24 US patents, AudioEye's solution includes 24/7 accessibility monitoring, automated WCAG issue testing and fixes, expert testing, developer tools, and legal protection, empowering organizations to confidently create accessible digital experiences for all.
Media Contact
Sierra Thomas
AudioEye PR
sierra.thomas@audioeye.com
Investor Contact
Tom Colton
Gateway Group, Inc.
AEYE@gateway-grp.com
949-574-3860
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SOURCE AudioEye, Inc.
FAQ
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