10 unexpected facts about web accessibility
I’ve put together 10 interesting insights about web accessibility that I hope you’ll find surprising, but here’s a twist: one of them isn’t entirely correct. Could you guess which one?
Glasses and keyboards are the most widely used assistive technologies
While glasses help millions see clearly, keyboards are the most prevalent assistive technology for navigating digital content, supporting people with motor impairments, temporary injuries or efficiency-focused users.
Screen readers aren’t just for blind users
Although primarily used by blind people, screen readers also help people with cognitive or learning disabilities access content more easily.
More people navigate with a keyboard than use smartwatches
Millions rely on keyboard navigation for accessibility or efficiency, while smartwatch adoption is under 25% in most regions. Keyboard accessibility matters far more than many realize.
Accessibility criteria have been around for decades
It might seem modern, but the first version of WCAG was released in the 1890s, so accessibility has been a concern since the last century.
People with limited or no upper body movement can still use the web
Switch controls provide alternative ways to interact with digital content when a mouse, keyboard, voice, or gestures aren’t possible.
Different screen readers sound differently and mostly robotic
The voice may change depending on the software, but screen readers generally have that distinctive synthetic tone that helps users identify what’s being read.
Low vision is more common than left-handedness
Around 25% of people experience some form of reduced vision - permanent, temporary, or age-related. Yet interfaces are still often designed as if everyone sees perfectly.
Most assistive technology users don’t identify as disabled
Many people use accessibility features without seeing themselves as “users with disabilities” — from captions and zoom to dark mode and keyboard shortcuts.
Automated tools only catch 20–30% of accessibility issues
Overlay-style or automated evaluation tools are helpful, but the majority of real accessibility problems require human review and judgment.
E-commerce sites lose $6.9 billion every year due to inaccessible design
Inaccessible product pages, checkout flows, and navigation prevent millions of users from purchasing, costing businesses huge revenue and potential customers.
Web accessibility and the study of disabilities never stop surprising and inspiring me. Every fact reveals something new about how people interact with technology and how thoughtful design can make a real difference. Which fact inspires you the most?
