Accessibility News April 2025

WebAIM Million 2025

The 2025 WebAIM Million report analysed the home pages of the top 1 million websites, revealing both improvements and ongoing issues in web accessibility.

Key findings include:​

• An average of 51 accessibility errors per page, marking a 10.3% decrease from 2024.
• 94.8% of home pages had at least one WCAG 2 failure, a slight improvement from 95.9% in 2024.
• Low contrast text remains the most common issue, found on 79.1% of pages.
• The average number of elements per home page increased by 7.1% to 1,257, indicating growing complexity.​

While there's a modest decline in errors, the high prevalence of accessibility issues emphasises the need for continued efforts in creating inclusive digital environments. ​

Read the full WebAIM Million report.

It is important to note that the WebAIM Million initiative tests websites using automated testing, therefore the findings only represent a portion of the potential and likely issues found on these websites, and the types of issues found. 

To learn more about what automated accessibility testing tools can't find, register for our upcoming free webinar Progressing your accessibility journey on 14 May, celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day. 

Accessible Games Initiative

At the 2025 Game Developers Conference, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) unveiled the Accessible Games Initiative - a collaborative effort among major industry players, including Microsoft, Nintendo of America, Electronic Arts, Google, and Ubisoft. This initiative aims to provide clear and consistent information about the accessibility features available in video games.​ 

Central to the initiative is the introduction of 24 standardised accessibility tags, such as "large and clear subtitles" and "narrated menus," which will appear on digital storefronts and product pages. These tags are designed to help players with disabilities make informed decisions about the games they choose to play. The implementation of these tags will vary by company and is voluntary, but the collective effort marks a significant step toward greater inclusivity in gaming.​ 

Learn more about the Accessible Games Initiative.​

Microsoft Ability Summit 2025: Accessibility in the AI Era

Microsoft's 15th annual Ability Summit, held virtually in March, brought together over 20,000 attendees from 164 countries to explore “Accessibility in the AI era”. The summit highlighted Microsoft's ongoing commitment to leveraging AI to enhance accessibility across its products and services. Announcements made:​

• Copilot for Microsoft 365: An AI-powered assistant designed to improve workplace productivity for users with disabilities.
• Edge's Read Aloud feature: Now utilised by over 10 million people monthly, aiding users with visual impairments.
• Immersive Reader: Used by over a million individuals to simplify webpage interactions.
• Collaborations with partners: Partnerships with organisations like Tobii Dynavox and Special Olympics to expand the reach of AI-driven accessibility tools.​ 

The summit also highlighted the importance of embedding accessibility into the development lifecycle and showcased how AI can be harnessed to create more inclusive digital experiences.​

For a detailed recap of the event, visit Microsoft's official blog.

Upcoming Event: Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2025

The 14th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is set to take place on Thursday 15th May 2025. GAAD is an annual event that promotes digital accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. It's an opportunity for organisations and individuals to raise awareness, share knowledge, and commit to creating more accessible digital experiences.

Join us as we celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day with our free webinar on 14 May 2025. Register now for free to secure your place.