Using AI-driven accessibility tools seems efficient, but it’s no guarantee. In 2024–25, over 4,500 lawsuits in the U.S. claimed non-compliance with accessibility laws—often due to faulty automatic solutions that mislabel or misread content.
1. Real Stories, Real Consequences
One visually impaired user was misled when an AI alt-text tool read bullet points as “toilets”—exposing how unreliable these tools still are. Another eyewear site faced a lawsuit after deploying AccessiBe’s AI overlay, which disabled navigation and drove a legal settlement.
2. TikTok Learns the Hard Way
Even platforms like TikTok now use AI-generated alt-text—but wisely offer creators the option to edit it manually. This underlines a simple truth: AI can help, but can’t fully replace human oversight.
3. Where AI Still Falls Short
- False positives: AI misreads images and layout structures .
- Overlay traps: Tools like AccessiBe can break navigation flow .
- Legal risk: EU’s upcoming 2025 accessibility law bans “one-line AI solutions”—manual review is mandatory.
4. The Right Way: Hybrid Approach
The key to compliance is combining AI with expert review:
- Use AI for batching alt-text suggestions and finding errors.
- Have real people refine descriptions, label buttons, build proper semantic HTML, and implement WAI‑ARIA roles.
- Test with real users—including those with visual or neurological disabilities—to ensure real usability.
5. Why This Matters
- User trust: Accurate descriptions enhance readability, trust, and brand reputation.
- Legal safety: Hybrid compliance minimizes legal exposure.
- SEO boost: Proper alt-text, semantic structure, and ARIA support improve discoverability.
Accessibility isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about making your site truly usable. With Eptaweb.com, you get thoughtful AI assistance plus manual oversight, expert accessibility code (ARIA, alt-text, semantic HTML), and real testing with screen-reader and neurodiverse users.
→ Contact us today to build a site that’s inclusive—and legally secure
