Web accessibility ensures that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with websites. For WordPress sites, this isn't just a nice-to-have—it's often a legal requirement and always the right thing to do. An accessible site reaches more people, improves SEO, and provides a better experience for everyone.
This guide covers WordPress accessibility comprehensively: the standards you need to meet, practical techniques for implementation, testing methods, and the best accessible themes and plugins available in 2026.
Understanding Web Accessibility Standards
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the international standard for web accessibility. Currently at version 2.2, WCAG provides specific criteria for making web content accessible.
WCAG Conformance Levels
- Level A: Basic accessibility requirements. Minimum for any site.
- Level AA: Standard target for most websites. Required by many laws.
- Level AAA: Highest level. Often impractical for entire sites but useful for specific content.
Most organizations target WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance.
The Four WCAG Principles (POUR)
Perceivable
Information must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive. This means providing text alternatives for images, captions for videos, and ensuring content is adaptable to different formats.
Operable
Users must be able to operate the interface. This includes keyboard accessibility, sufficient time to interact, avoiding content that causes seizures, and providing navigation help.
Understandable
Information and operation must be understandable. Text should be readable, pages should behave predictably, and input assistance should help prevent errors.
Robust
Content must be robust enough to work with current and future technologies, including assistive technologies like screen readers.
Legal Requirements for Accessibility
Accessibility isn't optional for many organizations:
United States
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act): Courts have ruled it applies to websites
- Section 508: Required for federal agencies and contractors
- State laws: California, New York, and others have specific requirements
European Union
- European Accessibility Act: Affects products and services
- EN 301 549: Technical standard for digital accessibility
Other Regions
- Canada: AODA, ACA requirements
- UK: Equality Act 2010, PSBAR for public sector
- Australia: Disability Discrimination Act
Business Implications
Beyond legal compliance:
- 15% of the global population has some disability
- Accessible sites rank better in search engines
- Accessibility lawsuits have increased significantly
- Many accessibility improvements benefit all users
WordPress Accessibility Features
WordPress core includes many built-in accessibility features:
Core Accessibility
- Semantic HTML structure by default
- Skip links for keyboard navigation
- ARIA landmarks in default themes
- Alt text support for images
- Form labels in standard widgets
- Focus visibility in admin area
Block Editor Accessibility
- Keyboard navigation for blocks
- Screen reader announcements
- Alt text prompts for images
- Heading level controls
- Color contrast warnings
Accessibility-Ready Theme Tag
Themes tagged "accessibility-ready" in the WordPress repository meet specific accessibility requirements including:
- Proper heading structure
- Keyboard navigation
- Skip links
- Sufficient color contrast
- Visible focus states
- Proper form labels
Essential WordPress Accessibility Practices
Image Alt Text
Every non-decorative image needs alternative text that describes its content or function:
Good Alt Text Examples
- Informative: "Golden retriever playing fetch in park"
- Functional: "Submit form button" for a button image
- Decorative: Leave alt="" empty for purely decorative images
Alt Text Best Practices
- Be concise but descriptive (usually under 125 characters)
- Don't start with "image of" or "picture of"
- Include text visible in the image
- Describe the image's purpose in context
In WordPress
When uploading images, use the Media Library's Alt Text field. For existing images, edit in Media Library or directly in block settings.
Heading Structure
Headings create document outline that screen readers use for navigation. Structure them properly:
- One H1 per page (usually the title)
- Headings follow logical hierarchy (H1 → H2 → H3)
- Don't skip levels (no H1 → H3)
- Use headings for structure, not styling
Common WordPress Issues
- Logo in header using H1 (should be plain link on non-home pages)
- Widget titles using wrong heading levels
- Using bold text instead of proper headings
Color Contrast
Text must have sufficient contrast against its background:
WCAG Requirements
- Normal text: 4.5:1 contrast ratio minimum
- Large text (18pt+): 3:1 contrast ratio minimum
- Level AAA: 7:1 for normal text
Testing Contrast
- WebAIM Contrast Checker: Enter hex colors for ratio
- Chrome DevTools: Shows contrast ratio for selected text
- Accessibility plugins: Many highlight contrast issues
WordPress Implementation
- Test theme colors during setup
- Check customized colors in Global Styles
- Ensure links are distinguishable from text (color + underline)
- Test hover/focus states for sufficient contrast
Keyboard Navigation
Users who can't use a mouse must navigate via keyboard. Ensure:
All Interactive Elements Are Focusable
- Links, buttons, form fields work with Tab key
- Custom interactive elements have proper keyboard support
- Modal dialogs trap focus within
Focus Indicator Is Visible
- Never use outline: none without alternative
- Focus states should be obvious and high contrast
- Custom focus indicators should be at least 2px and contrasting
Logical Tab Order
- Tab order follows visual order
- Skip links allow bypassing repetitive content
- Don't trap users in infinite loops
Test Your Site
Navigate your entire site using only Tab, Shift+Tab, Enter, and Escape. Can you access everything? Is it clear where you are?
Links and Buttons
Link Text
Link text should describe the destination:
- Bad: "Click here" or "Read more"
- Good: "View our pricing plans" or "Read the full article about accessibility"
If using generic text, provide context via aria-label or surrounding text.
Links vs Buttons
- Links: Navigate to new page or section
- Buttons: Trigger actions (submit form, open modal)
Using the correct element ensures proper keyboard behavior and screen reader announcements.
Forms
Forms present numerous accessibility challenges:
Labels
- Every input needs an associated label
- Use proper
- Placeholder text is NOT a substitute for labels
Error Handling
- Identify errors clearly (not just red color)
- Describe how to fix errors
- Allow users to review before final submission
- Focus moves to error messages when they appear
Required Fields
- Indicate required fields before the form
- Don't rely only on asterisk (*) - spell out "required"
- Use the required attribute for browser validation
WordPress Form Plugins
Use accessible form plugins:
- WPForms: Accessibility features built-in
- Gravity Forms: Good accessibility with proper configuration
- Forminator: Accessibility options available
Video and Audio Content
Video Requirements
- Captions: Synchronized text of spoken audio
- Audio descriptions: Narration of visual-only content
- Transcript: Text version of all content
Audio Requirements
- Transcript: Text version of audio content
WordPress Implementation
- Upload caption files (SRT, VTT) with videos
- Use YouTube/Vimeo accessibility features
- Provide transcript links near media
- Avoid auto-playing media
Accessibility Testing Tools
Automated Testing
WAVE (WebAIM)
Free browser extension showing accessibility errors directly on your pages. Identifies missing alt text, contrast issues, and structural problems.
Axe DevTools
Chrome extension providing detailed accessibility audits. Used by many professional testers.
Lighthouse
Chrome's built-in auditing tool includes accessibility scoring. Quick way to identify major issues.
SortSite
Enterprise tool for site-wide accessibility scanning.
Manual Testing
Automated tools catch only 30-40% of accessibility issues. Manual testing is essential:
Keyboard Testing
- Navigate entire site with keyboard only
- Verify all interactive elements are reachable
- Check focus visibility and order
Screen Reader Testing
- NVDA (Windows): Free, widely used
- VoiceOver (Mac/iOS): Built into Apple devices
- JAWS (Windows): Professional, paid
- TalkBack (Android): Built into Android
Listen to how your content is announced. Is it understandable? Can users find what they need?
Zoom Testing
- Zoom to 200% - content should reflow without horizontal scrolling
- Test with browser zoom and OS zoom
- Verify text remains readable when enlarged
Color Testing
- View in grayscale - is information still conveyed?
- Check with color blindness simulators
- Verify content doesn't depend solely on color
WordPress Accessibility Plugins
WP Accessibility
Free plugin adding accessibility features:
- Skip links for themes lacking them
- Remove tabindex issues
- Add toolbar for users (font resizing, contrast toggle)
- Fix common theme problems
Accessibility Checker
Automated scanning for accessibility issues across your site with detailed reports and fix suggestions.
One Click Accessibility
Adds accessibility toolbar for visitors with quick adjustments.
Accessible WordPress Themes
What to Look For
- "Accessibility-ready" tag in theme directory
- WCAG 2.2 compliance statements
- Documented accessibility features
- Regular updates addressing accessibility
Recommended Accessible Themes
Twenty Twenty-Five
WordPress's default theme with strong accessibility built in. Good starting point for any project.
Flavor
Minimal block theme with accessibility focus. Clean, well-coded.
Flavor Developer Blog
Designed for tech content with accessibility as priority.
Flavor Flavor (Theme)
Business-focused theme meeting accessibility standards.
GeneratePress
Lightweight theme with accessibility options and clean code.
Flavor Developer (Theme)
Developer-focused with accessibility features.
Avoid Themes That
- Lack skip links
- Have poor color contrast
- Use images for text
- Have non-keyboard-accessible features
- Auto-play video/audio
- Use JavaScript for critical content
Accessible Plugin Choices
Sliders and Carousels
Most sliders are accessibility nightmares. If you must use one:
- Splide: Accessibility-focused slider
- Flickity: Better than most alternatives
- Ensure pause controls and keyboard navigation
Better alternative: Use static content or accordion layouts.
Lightboxes
Ensure any lightbox plugin:
- Traps focus within modal
- Closes with Escape key
- Returns focus on close
- Announces opening/closing to screen readers
Page Builders
Some page builders produce cleaner, more accessible code:
- Block Editor: Best default choice
- GenerateBlocks: Lightweight, accessible output
- Elementor: Improving accessibility, still has issues
Accessibility Quick Wins
Implement these immediately for significant impact:
- Add alt text to all meaningful images
- Fix heading structure - one H1, proper hierarchy
- Check color contrast - especially text over images
- Test keyboard navigation - can you access everything?
- Add skip links if theme doesn't include them
- Label all form fields properly
- Make link text descriptive
- Add captions to videos
- Ensure focus visibility
- Avoid auto-play media
Creating an Accessibility Statement
Publish an accessibility statement that includes:
- Commitment to accessibility
- Standard you're targeting (WCAG 2.2 AA)
- Current conformance status
- Known issues and plans to address
- Contact information for accessibility feedback
- Date of last review
Place this prominently in your footer. It demonstrates commitment and provides recourse for users encountering issues.
Building Accessibility Into Your Workflow
Content Creation
- Train editors on alt text and heading structure
- Create accessibility guidelines for content
- Use checklists before publishing
Development
- Test accessibility during development, not just at end
- Include accessibility in code review
- Use accessibility linters in your IDE
Design
- Check contrast ratios in design tools
- Design focus states alongside regular states
- Annotate designs with accessibility notes
Testing
- Include accessibility in QA testing
- Test with real assistive technology
- Include people with disabilities in user testing
Conclusion
Web accessibility ensures your WordPress site works for everyone—including the 15% of the population with disabilities. Beyond compliance, accessibility improves user experience for all visitors and enhances SEO performance.
Start with the quick wins: alt text, heading structure, color contrast, and keyboard navigation. Use automated tools like WAVE to identify issues, then verify with manual testing. Choose accessibility-ready themes and carefully evaluate plugins.
Accessibility isn't a one-time task but an ongoing commitment. Build it into your workflow, train your team, and continuously improve. Your users—all of them—will benefit from your efforts.
An accessible web is a better web. Every improvement you make helps someone interact with your content who otherwise couldn't. That's worth the effort.
