Website Accessibility Checklist
Run a Website Accessibility Scanner
Use a free tool like WAVE (wave.webaim.org) to evaluate your website for accessibility.
What to look for:
- Missing alt text
- Poor color contrast
- Incorrect heading structure
- Missing form labels or ARIA attributes
- Redundant or confusing link structures
Why it matters:
These issues can prevent patients using screen readers or keyboard navigation from accessing important content, completing forms or understanding the flow of your site.
Check Color Contrast
Use a contrast checker like WebAIM’s to confirm that your text is readable against background colors.
What to look for:
- Text contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text
Why it matters:
Low contrast can make it harder for patients with visual impairments, including color blindness or low vision, to read important health information. Better contrast improves readability for all users, especially in bright environments or on mobile devices.
Test Keyboard Navigation
Use only your keyboard (no mouse) to navigate through your website.
What to look for:
- Tabbing moves you logically through links, buttons and form fields
- A visible outline appears on focused elements
Why it matters:
Many patients with motor impairments, neurological conditions or those using assistive technologies rely on keyboard navigation. If your site isn’t keyboard-friendly, key content may be out of reach.
Review Forms
Check forms such as contact pages, appointment requests and login screens.
What to look for:
- Each field has a clear label.
- Error messages are helpful to guide a visitor to fixing an issue with a form.
- Instructions are provided when specific formatting is needed (e.g. 00/00/0000 for a date).
Why it matters:
Forms that are hard to understand or complete can prevent patients from getting the help they need. Accessible forms reduce frustration and promote independence for all users, but especially those with cognitive, visual or physical impairments.
Check for Captions and Transcripts
Play any videos embedded on your website or shared on social media.
What to look for:
- Closed captions that are accurate and synchronized
- Text transcripts for audio or video content
- Adequate color contrast if text is displayed in the video
- Visual charts or concepts are explained in the voiceover or audio for the video.
Why it matters:
Captions and transcripts ensure that patients who are deaf or hard of hearing can still access health education, instructions or service information. They also support comprehension in noisy or quiet settings.
Avoid Images with Text in the Design
Look through your blog, homepage or social media for graphical images that have text added to the design. For example, many websites will include a homepage slider where a designer has chosen an image and put the important text directly onto the image.
What to look for:
- Use the actual text fields in your website’s content manager or on a social platform to display text—this makes it readable for screenreaders, braille displays, etc.
Why it matters:
Screen readers can’t read text designed directly into images. If vital information is locked in an image, it excludes patients who rely on assistive technology. Providing alt text, a written version in the caption or simply avoiding designing text into an image ensures everyone gets the message.
What to Do if You Spot Issues
If you identify accessibility issues using the tools or checks in this guide, you’re already taking an important first step. Accessibility gaps are common, and fixable, but addressing them takes clear communication and a plan for ongoing improvement.
Here’s how to move forward:
Document Your Findings
Save screenshots or export reports from tools like WAVE or WebAIM. Make note of any manual checks you did (such as missing captions or keyboard navigation issues), so your team has context.
Share Results with Your Website Team or Vendor
Whether you have an in-house developer or work with a web partner, bring them into the conversation. Share what you’ve found and ask for their help in reviewing and prioritizing updates.
Focus on High-Impact Fixes First
Start with changes that make a big difference:
- High traffic pages, like the homepage
- Improving keyboard navigation
- Fixing low contrast text
- Adding missing alt text or form labels
- Ensuring videos have captions
These fixes often improve access for a wide range of users and can be implemented in phases.
Build Accessibility into Ongoing Processes
Ask your team how accessibility will be reviewed going forward, especially during site updates, redesigns or new content launches. Proactive monitoring helps you catch new issues before they affect patients.
How Full Media Supports Healthcare Organizations in Advancing Digital Accessibility
At Full Media we partner with healthcare organizations to improve website accessibility in alignment with WCAG guidelines and evolving federal requirements. Our goal is to help clients create digital experiences that are inclusive, usable and supportive of every patient’s ability to access care.
Our accessibility services include:
- Accessible design through ReadySites and custom website solutions tailored to healthcare needs
- Automated WCAG scanning & optimization to flag new issues and support continuous improvement
- Guidance and implementation support to help you make progress toward WCAG 2.1 AA alignment
Whether you’re just beginning your accessibility efforts or looking to improve an existing site, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Contact Full Media today to start working toward accessibility compliance and create a more inclusive digital experience for every patient you serve.
