WCAG Audits: 10 Questions Clients Ask About Accessibility Services
1. How much does an accessibility audit cost?
Accessible.org accessibility audits typically cost between $1,250 and $2,750. The price depends on three factors: number of pages in scope ($100-$250 per primary page, $25-$100 for light page), complexity of your digital asset, and the environments needed.
2. What’s the difference between an audit and a scan?
An audit is a thorough manual evaluation by a technical expert who evaluates your digital asset through screen reader testing, keyboard testing, and other methods. A scan is an automated tool that returns issues based on the code. Scans can only reliably flag 13% of WCAG 2.2 AA success criteria, while audits evaluate for all success criteria.
Scans are best thought of tools for practitioners rather than software for consumers seeking to make their website or other digital asset WCAG 2.1 AA or WCAG 2.2 AA conformant.
3. Are audits fully manual?
Yes, genuine audits are fully manual. As a best practice, auditors use an automated scan as a secondary review, but they never copy and paste scan results into audit reports.
4. What do I get in an audit report?
You receive a detailed Excel spreadsheet containing: issue descriptions, URL/screen locations, specific element locations, applicable WCAG success criteria, related code, visual documentation (screenshots/clips), remediation recommendations, and additional notes. Everything you need to understand and fix each issue.
5. How long does an audit take?
Accessible.org accessibility audits take between 1–3 weeks.
6. What pages/screens should be included in the audit?
The audit scope should include primary user flows, primary layouts, most trafficked pages, and pages with unique content. For most websites, this means 7–15 pages. The audit findings can then be applied sitewide since many fixes update layout templates.
7. Which WCAG version should I choose?
WCAG 2.1 AA or WCAG 2.2 AA. Version 2.1 AA has been incorporated as the technical standard for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. WCAG 2.2 AA adds six additional criteria and ensures compliance for future digital accessibility laws and regulations.
8. What’s the difference between desktop and mobile audits?
Desktop audits evaluate for issues found on desktop computers. Adding mobile environment evaluates for issues found on a phone or other mobile device.
9. What’s the difference been an audit and user testing?
An audit evaluates for WCAG conformance and user testing provides experiential feedback from professionals with disabilities using assistive technology.
10. What happens after the audit?
After receiving your audit report, your team fixes issues and then the fixes are validated. You can use Accessibility Tracker to make tracking fixes and validation easier.
11. Can I get certification after an audit?
No, you must successfully remediate all of the issues identified in the audit report first. Certification is contingent upon full conformance.
Summary
Getting an accessibility audit is a straightforward process once you understand what’s involved. The investment ranges from $1,250-$2,750 for most clients, with clear pricing based on pages / screens and complexity.
Your audit report provides everything needed for remediation, and certification becomes possible once all issues are fixed.
Most accessibility companies offer WCAG audit services.
