How to report accessibility issues using a reporting tool

Accessibility issue reporting at a glance

Accessibility issue reporting gives users a way to report digital barriers, such as inaccessible forms, unlabeled buttons, videos without captions, and images without alt text. This blog post explains how individuals can report these issues using a website’s contact form or listed communication method, and outlines what businesses should expect after receiving feedback. It also guides organizations on collecting accessibility feedback using tools like Clym’s accessibility issue reporting solution, which includes a pre-built form, centralized dashboard with timestamp tracking, and multi-language support.

Why accessibility issue reporting matters

Not every accessibility barrier can be detected by automated scanners. Sometimes, it takes real people encountering real problems, such as a form field that isn’t labeled for screen readers or a video with no captions, to bring these issues to light. That’s where accessibility issue reporting comes in.

It gives users a voice. And it gives businesses a chance to respond, improve usability, and demonstrate that they take digital inclusion seriously.

What is accessibility issue reporting?

Accessibility issue reporting is the process of alerting a website or app owner about a barrier that affects how someone with a disability can use the digital service. These barriers might include:

• Unlabeled buttons or form fields
• Videos without captions
• Features that don’t respond to keyboard navigation
• Images without alt text

A clear and accessible reporting form allows users to explain what went wrong and helps the business understand what to fix.

Why it benefits users and businesses

When users can report accessibility barriers directly, they become part of the improvement process. Businesses gain valuable, real-world feedback that automated tests might miss. It helps:

• Support a more inclusive online experience
• Strengthen user trust and satisfaction
• Address risks tied to laws like the ADA, CHRA, or the European Accessibility Act

For users, it means more access to content, services, and opportunities that might otherwise be blocked by technical or design flaws.

How to report an accessibility issue

Most websites that take accessibility seriously provide a reporting channel. Here’s how to report an issue:

1. Find the accessibility statement (typically in the footer)
2. Use the contact form or listed email address
3. Include helpful details, like:
   • The page URL where the issue occurred
   • A short description of the issue
   • Assistive technology or browser used
   • The date and time it happened

Example template:
I encountered an accessibility issue on [URL]. I was using [browser or screen reader] and was unable to [describe the issue briefly].

Save a copy of your message in case you need to follow up later.

What happens after you submit a report

Once submitted, most organizations respond within a few business days. The urgency often depends on how the issue affects functionality. For example:

• A login error or blocked checkout flow may receive high priority
• A visual formatting issue might be addressed later

If you haven’t heard back in two to four weeks, consider sending a follow-up. Some public sector organizations also offer escalation paths for unresolved reports.

How businesses can collect accessibility feedback

Setting up a reliable, accessible way for users to submit feedback can be a challenge. It involves:

• Creating a WCAG-aligned, accessible form
• Deciding what technical details to ask for
• Setting up workflows to route and respond to reports
• Keeping records of submitted reports and resolutions regularly

This process can take time and expertise, especially for small teams without dedicated resources.

Why tools like Clym’s accessibility reporting solution help

Instead of building a custom system, many organizations choose ready-made tools that make the process easier. Clym offers an accessibility issue reporting solution that integrates directly into your website through its privacy and accessibility widget.

With Clym, businesses can:

• Add a reporting tool without technical knowledge
• Use a pre-built accessible form
• Offer multi-language support
• Manage reports from a centralized dashboard where everything is timestamped and tracked throughout the reporting process
• Automatically generate an accessibility statement

Explore Clym’s accessibility reporting tool

Legal context and accessibility reporting best practices

Many laws around the world encourage or require websites to be usable by people with disabilities and to offer a way for users to report problems. These include:

• ADA (United States) – Requires businesses and public organizations to make websites usable for people with disabilities and respond when accessibility issues are reported.
• European Accessibility Act (EAA) – Requires websites and apps across the EU to follow accessibility standards and provide a method for users to submit feedback about accessibility problems.
• Equality Act (United Kingdom) – Prohibits discrimination and expects websites to take reasonable steps to remove digital access barriers.
• CHRA (Canada) – Protects the rights of individuals with disabilities and expects service providers, including websites, to accommodate accessibility needs and provide a way for concerns to be raised.

Best practices include:

• Publishing a visible accessibility statement
• Offering a clearly labeled reporting form
• Documenting and reviewing reports and how they were addressed

Conclusion: Inclusive experiences start with feedback

Accessibility issue reporting connects real users with websites and helps uncover barriers that need to be fixed. It’s a practical way to improve usability and show that digital inclusion is part of your strategy.

Whether you're reporting an issue or collecting feedback, having a process in place benefits everyone.