2025 Digital Accessibility Index
Healthcare
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Accessibility gaps can put lives at risk
If you asked any hospital, medical clinic, or healthcare provider if the patient experience is a top priority, they’d almost certainly say yes.
But if you asked people with disabilities that same question, they’d probably say that accessibility is seldom considered.
“I’ve had to tell doctors, ‘Your web portal is not accessible. You need to figure out something else.’” said Empish Thomas, a member of AudioEye’s A11iance community.
In 2024, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized a rule strengthening protections against discrimination on the basis of disability.
Among other requirements related to patient care and policies, organizations that receive federal financial assistance — such as hospitals, social services, and nursing homes — must follow WCAG 2.1, Level AA, for web content and mobile applications.
Even though healthcare sites were, on average, more accessible than other industries, it’s important to remember that any measure of accessibility is relative: The average healthcare page still had 272 accessibility issues.
Plus, one could argue that healthcare sites should be held to a higher standard. Whether it’s accessing test results or scheduling appointments, any barrier can make it harder for people with disabilities to manage their healthcare independently.
“Providing forms that are screen-reader friendly, offering digital versions of printed materials, and ensuring that all online patient portals meet accessibility standards are simple yet impactful changes that improve the patient experience”
— Ana Jacob | AudioEye A11iance Member
INDUSTRY COMPARISON
Where do healthcare websites fall short?
We scanned 65,097 pages across 1,508 healthcare websites, focusing on key areas like patient portals, appointment booking systems, and service directories.
Healthcare sites had one of the highest rates of inaccessible forms and input elements (21.5 per page) — creating barriers for patients trying to schedule appointments, access test results, or fill out medical forms independently.
Missing alt text can create barriers to care
Healthcare sites had an average of 17.2 inaccessible images per page — making it difficult for patients with disabilities to essential information about their care, such as diagrams explaining medical procedures or facility maps.
Poor color contrast can make critical information hard to read
The average healthcare page had 69.1 unique violations of WCAG’s minimum color contrast requirements. For patients with visual disabilities, including older adults experiencing vision loss, poor contrast can make it difficult to read test results, medication instructions, or emergency contact details.
Keyboard accessibility barriers can block essential site functions
Healthcare websites had an average of 6.1 keyboard accessibility violations per page — making it harder for patients with visual and motor disabilities to navigate patient portals, access health records, or schedule appointments
Inaccessible links can make resources hard to find
The average healthcare page had 5.4 inaccessible links, which can make it harder for people with disabilities to find essential resources like appointment scheduling, patient portals, or emergency contact details.
Inaccessible forms can keep patients from scheduling appointments
Healthcare websites had 4.0 inaccessible forms, labels, and buttons per page — making it difficult for patients to schedule appointments or fill out medical paperwork independently.
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INFOGRAPHIC
Digital Accessibility for Healthcare Providers
Get the latest insights into the accessibility of healthcare sites.
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