Presented by AudioEyeWhile most organizations recognize the importance of accessibility from a theoretical angle, a stark gap exists between that awareness and actual execution. Companies can’t just give a nod to accessibility — and it can’t just be a nice-to-have. The chasm between knowing and doing is not only exposing businesses to significant legal risk, it’s also costing them actual business and growth opportunities. According to AudioEye’s newly released 2026 Accessibility Advantage Report, 59% of business leaders say their organization would face legal risk due to accessibility failure if audited today, and more than half have already encountered accessibility-related lawsuits or threats. That’s unsurprising, because today the average web page still contains 297 accessibility issues, based on an analysis of over 15,000 websites in AudioEye’s 2025 Digital Accessibility Index.The report, which surveyed more than 400 business leaders across the C-suite, VPs, and directors, reveals that organizations understand accessibility matters, but most lack the systems, expertise, and operational infrastructure to deliver it consistently, says Chad Sollis, CMO at AudioEye.“What the data makes clear is that accessibility hasn’t stalled because people don’t care,” Sollis says. “It’s stalled because fragmented ownership and reactive workflows make it hard to sustain as digital experiences evolve. Leaders know accessibility matters, but their organizations aren’t set up to deliver it consistently.”Why digital accessibility delivers a measurable business advantageWith regulations like the European Accessibility Act now in effect and enforcement intensifying globally, the benefits extend far beyond avoiding lawsuits. Over half of leaders now cite accessibility as a business growth opportunity, recognizing that accessible digital experiences drive better user outcomes across the board.“Organizations that treat accessibility purely as a compliance exercise miss the opportunity to improve performance, reach new audiences, and build stronger digital experiences for everyone,” Sollis says. “Accessibility is a growth lever hiding in plain sight.”In fact, accessible design doesn’t just serve users with disabilities; it creates faster, more intuitive experiences for everyone. Organizations leading in accessibility are seeing it as a performance multiplier that:• improves site discoverability through better structure and cleaner code• reduces friction in the cust …
