Creating a website that adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is not just a legal necessity—it’s an essential step toward ensuring that your content is accessible to everyone. An ADA and WCAG-compliant WordPress site can help you reach a broader audience while fostering inclusivity. Here are actionable tips to help you design an ADA and WCAG-compliant WordPress site:
1. Choose an Accessible WordPress Theme
Your theme forms the foundation of your website. Select a WordPress theme that is designed with accessibility in mind. Look for themes labeled “Accessibility-Ready” in the WordPress repository. These themes adhere to coding standards that promote usability for individuals with disabilities and align with WCAG principles.
2. Ensure Keyboard Navigation
Many users rely on keyboard navigation to interact with websites. Make sure your site allows navigation through tabs, arrows, and shortcuts. Test your website to confirm that menus, forms, and other interactive elements are fully functional without a mouse, adhering to WCAG success criteria.
3. Add Alt Text for Images
Alternative text (alt text) provides descriptions for images, allowing screen readers to convey the image’s purpose to visually impaired users. Write concise yet informative alt text for every image on your site. Avoid using “image of” or “picture of” as they are unnecessary. This helps meet WCAG 2.1 guidelines for non-text content.
4. Use ARIA Landmarks
Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) landmarks help screen readers understand the structure of your website. Use ARIA roles such as header, navigation, and main to define the purpose of various sections on your site, ensuring compliance with WCAG.
5. Optimize Color Contrast
Text must be easily readable against its background. Use a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for body text and 3:1 for larger text, in alignment with WCAG contrast standards. Tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker can help ensure your design meets this requirement.
6. Provide Captions for Multimedia
For video and audio content, include captions or transcripts. This ensures users with hearing impairments can access the information. WordPress plugins like WP Accessibility or 3Play Media can help streamline this process, making your site WCAG-compliant.
7. Design Accessible Forms
Forms should be straightforward and easy to complete. Label all form fields clearly, and include error messages that explain what needs to be corrected. Ensure that form fields can be navigated and completed using only a keyboard. WCAG requires that users should be able to perceive and operate forms efficiently.
8. Enable Resizable Text
Ensure users can resize text without losing functionality or clarity. Use relative units like percentages or ems for font sizes, rather than fixed units like pixels. This allows users to adjust text size based on their needs and aligns with WCAG standards for text scaling.
9. Test Your Site’s Accessibility
Regularly test your site to identify and fix accessibility issues. Use tools such as WAVE, Axe, or Lighthouse to evaluate your site’s compliance with WCAG guidelines. Conduct manual testing with screen readers like NVDA or VoiceOver to understand the user experience firsthand.
10. Stay Updated on Accessibility Guidelines
Accessibility standards, such as WCAG and ADA requirements, are frequently updated. Stay informed about changes and ensure your site evolves to meet the latest standards to remain compliant.
Implement these tips today to enhance your site’s usability and reach a broader audience.