With over 60 million websites powered by WordPress, it is by far the most popular content management system on the web. However, many WordPress site owners neglect a crucial element: accessibility.
Making your WordPress site accessible is not just ethically responsible, but legally required for compliance with regulations like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1.
This comprehensive guide will equip you with everything you need to know to make your WordPress site welcoming and usable for all, including those with impairments and disabilities.
Choosing the Right Accessibility Plugins for Your Needs
WordPress plugins are the fastest and easiest way to make your site more accessible. There are both free and premium options with varying features.
For most, a free plugin like UserWay can sufficiently identify and fix common accessibility issues. It adds widgets for functions like text scaling and screen readers.
For more customization, AccessiBe and WP Accessibility offer advanced options like manual theme checks and custom styling. They cost $9-$19 per month.
If you need full ADA compliance and detailed reporting, invest in a premium plugin like UserWay. It costs $39 per month but is well worth it for full legal coverage.
Optimizing Your Theme and Site Design for Accessibility
While plugins help, you still need an accessible theme design. Look for options labeled ADA, WCAG or accessible. Test themes thoroughly before using them.
Design elements to evaluate include color contrast, font size and styling, focus indicators and ARIA roles. Refer to WCAG 2.1 success criteria for specifics.
For greater control, use the WordPress Customizer to tweak theme design and colors. Advanced users can modify code to improve accessibility.
Going Beyond Plugins for ADA Compliance
To fully comply with ADA guidelines, do manual site audits using online tools like Wave and tools.pingdom.com. Check issues like:
- Missing alt text for images
- Inadequate color contrast
- Non-descriptive link text
- Missing form field labels
Correct any errors uncovered. Create an accessibility policy outlining your compliance efforts.
Making Your WordPress Site Accessible: The Bottom Line
Creating an accessible WordPress site takes awareness and effort but is very achievable. Start with a solid plugin and theme foundation. Enhance with customizations for greater control. Stay current with ADA and WCAG criteria to provide the best browsing experience for all users.
