Every single day, over 18 million people visit hospitals around the world. But what’s even more staggering is that hundreds of millions more search for healthcare information online—checking symptoms, looking up doctors, booking appointments, and trying to access medical test results. For many, that’s simple. But for millions of others, especially older adults and people with disabilities, hospital websites can be frustrating, confusing, or completely unusable.

And that’s a big problem.

When Access to Healthcare Starts with a Click

Imagine needing urgent medical help, but you can’t even navigate the hospital’s homepage. Or imagine trying to check your test results, but the website isn't compatible with screen readers. That’s the reality for millions.

According to the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), people with disabilities often face serious barriers when trying to access health information electronically. And it’s not just about inconvenience—it can directly impact their ability to receive care.

Here are a few real-world figures:

• 47% of people aged 61 to 80 experience hearing loss

• 16% of people aged 65 to 74 have uncorrectable vision loss

• Over 50% of people above 65 suffer from arthritis or motor-related impairments

• Around 20% of those 70+ have mild cognitive challenges such as memory loss or difficulty focusing

These are people who often need medical care the most. Yet they’re the ones struggling to access it online.

Accessibility Issues in Real Life: A Case from Turkey

A recent study reviewed 58 university hospital websites in Turkey to assess how well they comply with WCAG 2.0, the global standard for digital accessibility.

The results? Eye-opening.

• The majority did not meet even the most basic (Level A) accessibility criteria

• Almost all had broken links, which can lead users to dead ends

• About one-third of sites were difficult to access via mobile devices

• Many lacked basic compatibility with screen readers and keyboard navigation

This isn’t just a tech issue. It’s a healthcare equity issue.

These websites are supposed to serve patients, healthcare professionals, and caregivers—but instead, they’re leaving vulnerable groups behind.

What Happens When Hospital Websites Are Inaccessible?

The consequences are real:

• Patients can’t book appointments independently

• Caregivers struggle to find reliable information for their loved ones

• Seniors miss important test results because the portal is too confusing or cluttered

• People with vision impairments find themselves unable to even navigate the homepage

It’s not just frustrating. It’s unacceptable.

And here’s the thing: making hospital websites accessible isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also good practice.

Accessible websites improve user experience, increase conversion rates (like appointment bookings), boost SEO, and protect healthcare institutions from legal risks under laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or EU’s EN 301 549.

A Missed Opportunity: Digital Health for All

The pandemic pushed many hospitals to digitize their services faster than ever before. Online portals for telemedicine, test results, vaccine scheduling, and patient communication became the norm.

But unfortunately, many of these solutions were developed with speed—not inclusion—in mind.

Today, a large number of hospital websites are still:

• Not readable by screen readers

• Inaccessible without a mouse

• Not compatible with browser zoom or text resizing

• Missing alt text for images

• Built with poor contrast or confusing layouts

We’re in 2025—and this shouldn’t be the standard.

What Needs to Change?

Hospitals and healthcare providers need to see digital accessibility not as a box to check, but as part of their mission to serve everyone.

Here’s what can help:

• Follow the WCAG guidelines (currently WCAG 2.1, and soon WCAG 2.2)

• Conduct regular accessibility audits

• Use AI-powered tools to fix alt text, contrast, and structure

• Include people with disabilities in user testing

• Train web teams on accessibility best practices

And if you don’t have an in-house team? Partner with organizations that specialize in this. For example, Corpowid helps hospitals and healthcare websites become digitally accessible within minutes, without touching their existing website code.

Final Thought: Healthcare Begins Online

If you're a healthcare professional, administrator, or web developer working in the medical field, ask yourself:

Can someone with vision loss book an appointment on our site?
Can a person using only a keyboard read their test results?
Can an older adult find the contact information without confusion or frustration?

If the answer is no, it’s time to act.

Because accessibility isn’t just about technology. It’s about trust, dignity, and care—and making sure no one is left behind when they need help the most.