Improve Website Accessibility with the WAVE Accessibility Tool
Ensuring your website is accessible to all users is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. If you want to improve website accessibility, you need to make sure your site is easy to navigate, understand, and interact with for everyone, including people with disabilities. But how do you know if your website meets accessibility standards? That’s where the WAVE Accessibility Tool comes in.
Why Is Website Accessibility Important?
Improving accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it enhances user experience, improves SEO, and expands your audience reach. Here’s why accessibility matters:
Ensure Inclusivity for All Users
People with disabilities rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, and other assistive technologies. An accessible website ensures that everyone can engage with your content.
Improve SEO and Search Rankings
Search engines prioritize websites that follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Improving accessibility can boost your rankings in search results.
Reduce Legal Risks
Many countries enforce accessibility laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Non-compliant websites risk lawsuits, fines, and reputational damage.
What Is the WAVE Accessibility Tool?
The WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation) Tool is a free, web-based tool that helps identify accessibility issues on any webpage. Developed by WebAIM (Web Accessibility In Mind), WAVE provides a visual representation of accessibility errors, warnings, and features that improve usability.
By running a WAVE analysis, you can detect issues related to:
- Contrast and readability
- Missing alternative text (alt text) for images
- Keyboard navigability
- Structural and HTML errors affecting screen readers
Try the WAVE Accessibility Tool
How WAVE Helps Improve Website Accessibility
1. Identify Contrast and Readability Issues
Low contrast between text and background makes content difficult to read, especially for users with visual impairments.
Example Fixes:
- Increase contrast between text and background
- Use high-contrast color schemes
- Avoid text over images without sufficient opacity
2. Check for Missing Alternative Text
Alt text helps screen readers describe images to visually impaired users. Missing or incorrect alt text makes content inaccessible.
Example Fixes:
- Add descriptive alt text to all images
- Avoid using generic alt text (e.g., “image123.jpg”)
- Mark decorative images as “null” to reduce clutter for screen readers
3. Ensure Keyboard Navigation Compatibility
Users with mobility impairments rely on keyboard shortcuts and tab navigation. If your website isn’t keyboard-friendly, it can lock out a significant number of users.
Example Fixes:
- Ensure all interactive elements (buttons, links, forms) are keyboard-accessible
- Use focus indicators to show where users are navigating
- Avoid using scripts that trap keyboard users
4. Detect Structural and HTML Errors
Improper heading structures, missing form labels, or duplicate IDs can confuse screen readers and assistive technologies.
Example Fixes:
- Avoid empty or duplicate heading tagsThe benefits of optimising your websites with Google Lighthouse
- Use proper heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3, etc.)
- Label form fields properly for screen readers
How to Use the WAVE Accessibility Tool
Run a WAVE Analysis
WAVE is easy to use and doesn’t require coding knowledge:
Visit WAVE Accessibility Tool 
Enter your website’s URL
Click “Check” to generate a visual accessibility report 
Review errors, alerts, and features highlighted on the page
Interpret the Report
The WAVE report highlights accessibility issues directly on your webpage, making it easy to pinpoint and fix problems.
Run a Free WAVE Accessibility Audit
What to do with your WAVE Report
Running a WAVE audit is the first step, but understanding and fixing the issues requires expertise. Many businesses struggle to interpret WAVE’s findings and implement changes that truly enhance accessibility.
At Gold Pebble, we use tools like WAVE and WCAG guidelines alongside our accessibility expertise to:
- Analyse and interpret WAVE reports
- Fix contrast, alt text, and structural errors
- Ensure full keyboard and screen reader compatibility
Make your website accessible to all users. Get in touch with us to discuss your website’s accessibility needs or book a full Website Accessibility Audit today.
