how to improve accessibility on your wordpress site

How to Improve Accessibility on Your WordPress Site: A Comprehensive Guide

As a WordPress expert with over 15 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how crucial accessibility is for website success. It’s not just about complying with laws, it’s about building a website that’s inclusive and welcoming to everyone, regardless of their abilities. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through every step of the process to make your WordPress site accessible, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable user experience for all.

Think about visiting a website only to find you can’t read the text, navigate the menus, or understand the content. Sadly, this is a daily reality for many people with disabilities. By focusing on accessibility, we can remove these barriers, making the web a more inclusive space for everyone.

A truly accessible WordPress website goes beyond the basics. It requires a holistic approach, encompassing everything from color contrast to keyboard navigation, from alternative text to semantic HTML. Implementing these best practices not only benefits people with disabilities, but also improves the overall usability of your site for everyone, including those browsing on mobile devices or with limited internet access.

Why Is Accessibility Important for My WordPress Site?

In web design, accessibility refers to techniques used to make a website usable for people with disabilities. Some visitors rely on assistive technologies to navigate the web, such as screen readers for those with visual impairments and keyboard navigation for those who can’t use a mouse.

Here’s why accessibility is essential:

  • Inclusivity and User Experience (UX): Creating an accessible website ensures that everyone can engage with your content, fostering a sense of inclusivity and enhancing the overall user experience.
  • Increased Audience Reach: By prioritizing accessibility, you tap into a broader audience, including individuals with disabilities, who may have been previously excluded from your website.
  • Improved SEO: Google values websites that are easy to use, so making your site more accessible can improve your search engine rankings, boosting your visibility and organic traffic.
  • Legal Compliance: Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) require websites to be accessible, and non-compliance can lead to legal repercussions and damage your reputation.
  • Enhanced Brand Perception: Demonstrating a commitment to accessibility showcases your brand’s inclusivity, building trust and positive associations with your website.

How Does WordPress Contribute to Accessibility?

WordPress offers several built-in features to help users create accessible websites. For instance, by default, you can add alternative text (alt text) and title attributes to images, allowing screen readers to read them aloud for visually impaired users.

Additionally, WordPress enforces accessibility coding standards for all new and updated WordPress code. This ensures that WordPress developers follow best practices when creating themes and plugins. Furthermore, WordPress includes features that make it easier for users with disabilities to build their own websites, such as the accessibility mode for adding widgets.

While WordPress provides a solid foundation for accessibility, it’s not fully accessible out of the box. As a website owner, you need to take additional steps to ensure your site meets accessibility standards.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Improve Accessibility on Your WordPress Site

Here’s a comprehensive guide to enhancing accessibility on your WordPress site:

1. Get Familiar with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

Start by thoroughly understanding the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These are the established standards set by the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) to help users make their websites more accessible. Familiarize yourself with the latest updates, WCAG 2.1 and WCAG 2.2. If you find these documents too lengthy, check out this concise quick reference guide.

2. Use an Accessibility-Ready WordPress Theme

Accessibility-ready themes meet the minimum accessibility standards set by the WordPress theme review team. While using an accessible theme doesn’t automatically make your site compliant, it provides a strong foundation for accessibility. Here are the essential features of an accessibility-ready theme:

  • Keyboard-only Navigation: Users should be able to navigate your entire website using only their keyboard.
  • Sufficient Color Contrast: Ensure good color contrast to make content readable for users with visual impairments or color blindness.
  • Semantically Correct HTML: Well-structured HTML helps assistive technologies understand the content and structure of a web page, making it easier for users to navigate.

To find an accessibility-ready theme, go to **Appearance » Themes** in your WordPress dashboard, then click **Add New Theme**. Select **Feature Filter** and choose **Accessibility Ready**. You can add more filters to find the perfect theme for your needs. For more recommendations, check out our expert picks of the best WordPress themes.

3. Install a WordPress Accessibility Plugin

Accessibility plugins add valuable features to enhance navigation for visitors with disabilities. One popular plugin is **WP Accessibility**. It offers features like:

  • Accessibility Toolbar: Allows users to adjust font sizes or view your site in high-contrast mode.
  • Theme Accessibility Check: Identifies potential accessibility issues in your theme.
  • Accessibility Feature Usage Tracking: Provides insights into how users interact with your site’s accessibility features.

Install and activate the plugin in WordPress. Once activated, go to **Settings » WP Accessibility** to configure the plugin.

Let’s delve into each section of the settings page:

Add Skip Links

In the first settings section, you can enable skip links on your website. This is a helpful feature for individuals using screen readers. Without a skip link, they have to listen to everything on your site, including navigation menus, before reaching the content. If your theme already implements skip links, you’ll see a confirmation message.

Accessibility Toolbar

The WP Accessibility plugin includes an accessibility toolbar. When activated, it adds a toolbar to your website where users can change font sizes or view your site in high-contrast mode. This empowers users to select the options they need for comfortable reading. To enable the toolbar, simply check the boxes for **Font Size** and **Contrast**. You can also adjust the toolbar’s size, font, and position.

Accessibility Fixes

WP Accessibility provides various accessibility fixes that address potential issues on your site. Explore each option and see if you need to enable them. Several recommended settings are checked by default. These options prevent links from opening in new windows, display an error message when a search is submitted empty, and remove the HTML tabindex attribute when unnecessary to simplify keyboard navigation.

Accessibility Features

The plugin also offers options to enhance the accessibility of your content. The first group of settings simplifies image handling for screen reader users. There are also options to display summaries at the top of your posts and pages, allowing screen reader users to listen to a content overview before deciding to hear the whole article.

Testing and Admin Experience

This section provides settings to improve the accessibility of your WordPress admin area and assist with testing. It’s more technical, so consult the plugin documentation before enabling any options.

Remove Title Attributes

This section allows you to remove the title attribute from tag clouds. Some accessibility experts consider the title attribute unhelpful as most screen readers ignore it and read the anchor text instead.

4. Check Your Website’s Color Contrast

Color contrast is the difference between the text color and the background color. It’s a crucial element of website accessibility because it impacts the readability of your content for people with vision impairments or color blindness. To meet web accessibility standards, normal text should have a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1. This means the text should be 4.5 times brighter than the background. For larger text, the requirement is slightly lower at 3:1. The same rule applies to graphics and user interface elements like form borders.

WP Accessibility includes a built-in color contrast checker. In the plugin settings, simply navigate to the **Color Contrast Checker** section and select a foreground color (the color you’ll use for text) and your background color. Then, click **Check Color Contrast**. The plugin will tell you whether the colors pass the contrast test.

Alternatively, you can use the free WebAIM Contrast Checker. Similar to the previous tool, you just need to select a foreground color and a background color. This tool not only checks your color contrast but also shows how the colors might look in normal and large text, as well as in graphics and user interface components.

5. Add Alternative Text to Images

Besides being beneficial for search engines, alt text allows screen readers to describe images to visually impaired users. Earlier, we mentioned that WordPress has a built-in feature for adding alt text. The process is straightforward. You can find comprehensive instructions on how to set it up in these guides:

  • Beginner’s Guide to Image SEO – Optimizing Images for Search Engines
  • Image Alt Text vs Image Title in WordPress – What’s the Difference?

Expert Tip: If you want to automatically set a consistent alt text format for all your images, you can utilize the image SEO tool in All in One SEO.

6. Add Labels to All Form Fields

If you have forms on your website, make sure to use appropriate labels for every form element. This includes form fields, buttons, menus, and more. WCAG recommends adding labels to all form elements to make it easier for assistive technologies to identify and convey information about them to users.

Besides, adding clear and descriptive labels is a good web design practice. By helping users understand what each form field is for, you reduce user errors and increase the likelihood of successful form submissions.

If you’re unsure about creating accessible forms, I recommend checking out WPForms. It’s the best WordPress form builder that makes it incredibly easy to customize forms to your exact needs, including enhancing accessibility.

You can learn more about WPForms in our WPForms review. Additionally, consider these guides on creating forms in WordPress:

  • How to Create a Contact Form in WordPress (Step-by-Step)
  • How to Create a Booking Form in WordPress
  • How to Create a Custom User Registration Form in WordPress

7. Use Proper Heading Tags in Your Content

Heading tags are HTML tags that mark titles or subtitles on a webpage. They help to organize your content and make it easier to follow. These tags also assist tools like screen readers in generating a navigable outline for visually impaired users, allowing them to jump between sections and grasp the overall structure of your content. If you’re unsure about utilizing heading tags, read our guide on how to use heading tags correctly in WordPress.

8. Use Descriptive Anchor Text

Anchor text refers to the clickable words or phrases within a link. Typically, you can tell which text is linked because it appears in a different color. Often, bloggers use anchor text like “click here” or “read more” to direct visitors to a page. This is not a good practice for accessibility because it doesn’t provide any information about where the link leads. This makes it difficult for individuals using assistive technologies to understand the purpose of the link.

Therefore, it’s best to use descriptive anchor text. This means using words that describe what the linked content is about. For example, suppose you want to add a link to an article about the best WordPress hosting in this sentence: “Follow this guide to learn about the best WordPress hosting services on the market.” Instead of linking to “Follow this guide” or anywhere else in that sentence, you should insert the link into “best WordPress hosting services.” This way, the user gets a preview of what they’ll find in the linked content.

For more information about links and anchor text, consult our beginner’s guide to linking in WordPress.

9. Add Captions or Transcripts to Video and Audio Content

One major challenge for users with hearing impairments is difficulty understanding spoken content in videos and audio. That’s why many video content creators and podcasters add captions or transcripts.

At WPBeginner, we strongly advise against uploading videos directly to your website, as they can slow down your site. Instead, it’s better to use services like YouTube or Vimeo, which both have built-in tools for adding captions.

Regarding audio content, you can consider using a transcription service to convert speech to text easily. This eliminates the need to manually create a written version of your audio content.

For further information, check out our list of the best transcription services.

10. Conduct Usability and Accessibility Testing

After implementing all the tips in this guide, the final step is to perform usability and accessibility testing on your WordPress site. These tests can help you identify any remaining issues and make your website user-friendly and accessible for everyone.

WebAIM offers a free Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE) that you can use. Simply enter your website’s domain name, and the tool will identify any accessibility issues for you. You can also use an accessibility scanner. I recommend checking out Accessibility Checker by Equalize Digital. It also comes with a free plugin version for exploring an unlimited number of posts and pages on your website.

After installing the plugin, simply go to the block editor of your page or post. If you scroll down to the meta box section, you’ll find an Accessibility Checker that identifies your accessibility issues.

Another option is to conduct a UX audit, which essentially involves checking whether your website has a good user experience. For more information, visit our UX audit guide.

Last but not least, I encourage you to seek user feedback. While testing can provide insights, getting feedback from real visitors who use your site’s accessibility features can offer much more accurate information.

UserFeedback is the best plugin for this task. It allows you to create surveys to gather user opinions and thoughts. There are also templates for feedback site design, so you don’t have to create the survey from scratch.

For more information, see our guide on getting feedback on your website design in WordPress.

Expert Guides on WordPress Accessibility

Now that you know how to improve your site’s accessibility, you might be interested in checking out other guides related to accessibility issues in WordPress:

  • How to Add WordPress Widgets in Accessibility Mode
  • How to Choose the Perfect Color Combination for Your WordPress Site
  • How to Easily Add Title Attributes to Images in WordPress
  • How to Highlight Text in WordPress (Beginner’s Guide)
  • Image Alt Text vs Image Title in WordPress – What’s the Difference?

Conclusion

Making your WordPress website accessible is not just a matter of compliance; it’s an investment in creating a welcoming and inclusive online experience for everyone. By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your website is accessible to all users, fostering a sense of community and extending your reach to a wider audience.

Remember, accessibility is a journey, not a destination. Regularly review your site’s accessibility, stay updated on the latest guidelines and best practices, and continuously seek feedback from users with disabilities. The effort you put into creating an accessible website will pay off in a more inclusive and engaging online experience for all.

FAQs

What are some common accessibility errors to avoid?

Some common accessibility errors include:

  • Poor color contrast: Make sure the text color contrasts well with the background color to ensure readability for those with visual impairments.
  • Missing alt text for images: Alt text provides crucial information about images for screen reader users. Never leave it blank.
  • Unclear or missing form labels: Form fields should have clear and descriptive labels so users understand what information is required.
  • Improper heading tags: Use heading tags (H1, H2, etc.) in a logical hierarchy for better structure and screen reader navigation.
  • Non-descriptive anchor text: Avoid using generic anchor text like “click here” or “read more.” Instead, use descriptive text that indicates the target content.
  • Lack of captions or transcripts for video and audio content: Provide captions or transcripts to make your media content accessible to individuals with hearing impairments.

How can I test my website for accessibility?

There are several tools and methods for testing your website’s accessibility:

  • Use a web accessibility evaluation tool like WAVE: WebAIM’s WAVE tool offers a free and comprehensive way to identify potential accessibility issues on your website.
  • Install an accessibility checker plugin: Plugins like Accessibility Checker by Equalize Digital can be used directly in the WordPress editor to analyze individual pages and posts for accessibility issues.
  • Conduct manual testing: Test your website using different assistive technologies like screen readers and keyboard navigation to experience the site as a user with disabilities might.
  • Get feedback from users with disabilities: Engage with individuals with various disabilities to get their feedback on your website’s accessibility.

How often should I review and update my website’s accessibility?

It’s recommended to review and update your website’s accessibility regularly. You should conduct a full accessibility audit at least once a year. Additionally, you should review your website’s accessibility whenever you make significant updates or changes to your content, design, or functionality.

What are some accessibility resources for WordPress users?

Here are some valuable resources for WordPress users:

  • Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): The official guidelines for web accessibility.
  • WordPress Accessibility Handbook: A comprehensive guide from WordPress.org on accessibility best practices.
  • WordPress Theme Review Team Accessibility Guidelines: Guidelines for theme developers on how to create accessible WordPress themes.
  • WebAIM: A valuable resource for learning about web accessibility, including tutorials, articles, and tools.
  • Accessible WordPress community: Connect with other WordPress users who are passionate about web accessibility on platforms like the WordPress accessibility Slack channel or the WordPress accessibility forum.

Is it expensive to make my WordPress website accessible?

Making your website accessible doesn’t have to be expensive. You can start by making small adjustments to your website. For example, adding alt text to images, using descriptive anchor text, and ensuring sufficient color contrast. You can also use free tools like WAVE and accessibility checker plugins. If you need more advanced features, there are affordable accessibility plugins and themes available.

What are some benefits of making my WordPress website accessible?

Making your website accessible offers numerous benefits:

  • Reach a wider audience: You can attract more users, including those with disabilities, who may have previously been excluded from your website.
  • Improve user experience: You can create a website that is easier to use for everyone, regardless of their abilities.
  • Boost SEO: Google values websites that are accessible, so you can improve your search engine ranking and visibility.
  • Enhance brand reputation: Demonstrate your commitment to inclusivity and create a positive brand image.
  • Avoid legal issues: You can comply with accessibility laws like the ADA, minimizing legal risks.

Can I make my existing WordPress website accessible?

Yes, you can make your existing WordPress website accessible. It may require some effort, but it is definitely possible. Start by assessing your current website’s accessibility using the tools and methods mentioned earlier. Then, identify the areas that need improvement and work on implementing the changes to make your website more accessible.

Is it better to use a specific WordPress theme for accessibility?

While using a theme that is specifically designed for accessibility is a great starting point, it’s not always necessary. Many WordPress themes are already built with accessibility in mind. The key is to check the theme’s documentation and ensure that it meets the minimum accessibility standards set by the WordPress theme review team. You can also use accessibility plugins to further enhance the accessibility of your website, regardless of the theme you choose.

Are there any free resources available to help me improve my WordPress website’s accessibility?

Yes, there are many free resources available to help you improve your WordPress website’s accessibility:

  • WebAIM: Provides free tutorials, articles, and tools for web accessibility.
  • WCAG: The official accessibility guidelines are free to access and download.
  • WordPress Accessibility Handbook: Offers a free comprehensive guide on accessibility best practices.
  • Accessibility checker plugins: There are many free accessibility checker plugins available for WordPress that can help you identify potential issues.

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