1/29/2025

Creating an Accessible WordPress Site: Best Practices & Guidelines

Creating an accessible WordPress site is not just about compliance; it’s about Inclusivity, allowing everyone, regardless of ability, to access your content and services. In this post, we’ll explore some BEST PRACTICES and GUIDELINES to ensure your WordPress site is accessible to all.

Why Accessibility Matters

Accessibility is about creating a web environment that accommodates everyone, including people with disabilities. Approximately 15% of the world’s population has some form of disability, whether visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive. Crafting an accessible site opens your audience to a broader demographic, enriching their experience and promoting ENGAGEMENT. Websites that prioritize accessibility see improved user experience (UX), increased traffic, and better SEO rankings. Remember, an accessible site is also a user-friendly site.

Understand the WCAG Standards

To build an accessible WordPress site, it’s crucial to know about the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These guidelines are formatted around four core principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust.

Perceivable: Users must be able to perceive the content presented to them, meaning it should be available through different senses. For example, add ALT text to images so visually impaired users can understand the content using screen readers.
Operable: Users must be able to navigate across the site. Ensure your site is navigable using a keyboard and compatible with assistive technologies.
Understandable: The content should be presented in a clear way. Avoid using jargon and complex language. Ensure any forms are simple and easy to understand.
Robust: Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by different user agents, including assistive technologies.

To delve deeper into WCAG principles, consult the official Web Accessibility Initiative guidelines.

Best Practices for Creating an Accessible WordPress Site

1. Choose an Accessibility-Ready Theme

Selecting a WordPress theme that is labeled as accessibility-ready is a GREAT start. These themes meet specific accessibility standards and are tested for user-friendliness. You can find these by searching for accessibility-ready themes in the WordPress Theme Directory here.

2. Use ARIA Landmarks

Adding ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles in your code provides additional clarity for screen readers. For instance, roles like

navigation

banner

, and

main

allow assistive technologies to understand the page layout and help users navigate easily.

3. Add Alternative Text for Images

Images are essential for engagement but must be DESCRIBABLE. Provide appropriate ALT text for images to convey their meaning clearly. When adding images in the WordPress editor, fill in the alt text field with a concise description. Use the following directive to add ALT text:

4. Use Headings Wisely

Using proper heading structures helps organize content logically. Use only one H1 tag for the main title, followed by H2 tags for sections and H3 for subsections. This hierarchical structure guides users and screen readers through your content systematically. Take care to avoid skipping heading levels as it can confuse screen reader users.

Every element on your site must be accessible via keyboard navigation, crucial for users who cannot use a mouse. Perform periodic checks to verify that all links, buttons, and forms can be reached using the Tab key.

6. Check Color Contrast

Poor color contrast is a common accessibility issue. The WCAG recommends a minimum color contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Various tools can test your site’s color contrast, such as the Color Contrast Checker.

7. Provide Text Alternatives for Multimedia Content

For any video or audio content, provide transcripts, captions, or subtitles as an alternative. This makes content accessible for individuals with hearing impairments. Ensure that the media players you use comply with accessibility standards and allow users to control playback.

8. Focus on Forms Accessibility

Forms must include proper labels for each input field. Utilize

<label>

elements to ensure screen readers can convey what each field requires. Moreover, ensure that any error messages are clear and visible to all users.

9. Test with Real Users

After implementing accessibility features, consider gatekeeping the effectiveness of your designs. The best way to achieve this is through user testing, especially with participants who have disabilities. Their feedback will illuminate genuine barriers you might have overlooked.

10. Regular Audits

Web accessibility isn’t a one-time task; it requires continuous vigilance. Regularly audit your website using tools like WAVE or Equalize Digital for any accessibility issues.

Plugins to Enhance Accessibility

Here are some useful plugins that can help bolster the accessibility of your WordPress site:

WP Accessibility: Add various accessibility features such as skip links & ARIA roles.
Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker: Continuous audits while working in the editor to keep content compliant.
Accessibility Widget: A simple addition to enhance user experience for navigating accessibility features.

Conclusion: Harness the Power of Arsturn for Engagement

Building an accessible WordPress site ultimately comes down to creating a welcoming online space where everyone can interact with your content seamlessly. By incorporating the tips discussed above, you’ll be well on your way to crafting an inclusive experience.

On top of that, if you're looking to further enhance user ENGAGEMENT and maximize conversions, consider integrating your site with Arsturn's powerful AI chatbot capabilities. With Arsturn, you can effortlessly create customized chatbots to improve interactions across digital platforms—all without needing any coding skills! Explore more at Arsturn to get started with a FREE trial today, and join thousands already using Conversational AI to establish meaningful connections.

Let’s make the web a better, more accessible place—together!