{"id":6765,"date":"2025-09-02T13:31:59","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T10:31:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/?p=6765"},"modified":"2025-09-03T13:32:02","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T10:32:02","slug":"wordpress-accessibility-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/blog\/wordpress-accessibility-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"An Essential Guide to WordPress Accessibility (Part 2)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>WordPress accessibility is a complex subject because a WordPress website consists of several parts, all of which need to comply with multiple requirements that address <a href=\"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/blog\/website-accessibility-primer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">different kinds of accessibility needs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, making an accessible WordPress site is not an easy task. It involves various steps, including choosing an accessible theme, creating accessible content, and testing the website with different types of assistive technologies, such as screen readers, keyboard navigation, and text-to-speech tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-takeaways\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Accessibility must cover the whole site<\/strong>, from themes to plugins and admin areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use accessible themes<\/strong>\u00a0like Blocksy with keyboard support and clean HTML.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Content should be screen-reader friendly<\/strong>\u00a0with alt text, headings, and captions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Avoid relying only on plugins<\/strong>\u2014they\u2019re no substitute for proper design.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Test often<\/strong>\u00a0using tools like Lighthouse and real assistive technologies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#key-takeaways\">Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#what-is-word-press-accessibility\">What Is WordPress Accessibility?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#is-word-press-accessible-by-default\">Is WordPress Accessible Out of the Box?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#how-to-make-an-accessible-word-press-site\">5 Key Steps to Build an Accessible WordPress Site<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#1-choose-an-accessible-theme\">1. Choose an Accessible Theme<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#2-adjust-your-themes-settings-to-improve-word-press-accessibility\">2. Customize Theme Settings for Accessibility<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#3-create-accessible-content\">3. Create Accessible Content<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#4-dont-rely-on-word-press-accessibility-plugins\">4. Avoid Over-Reliance on Accessibility Plugins<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#5-test-your-word-press-site-for-accessibility\">5. Test Your WordPress Site for Accessibility<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#what-is-the-most-important-first-step-to-make-a-word-press-site-accessible\">What Is the Most Important First Step to Make a WordPress Site Accessible?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#do-i-need-accessibility-plugins-for-my-word-press-site\">Do I Need Accessibility Plugins for My WordPress Site?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#how-can-i-test-if-my-word-press-site-is-accessible\">How Can I Test If My WordPress Site Is Accessible?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#conclusion\">Conclusion: Making Accessibility an Ongoing Practice<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-word-press-accessibility\">What Is WordPress Accessibility?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress accessibility is a design objective and implementation process that makes all parts of a WordPress site:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>perceivable<\/strong>, <strong>operable<\/strong>, and <strong>understandable<\/strong> for people with permanent or temporary disabilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>sufficiently <strong>robust<\/strong> so that different devices, browsers, screen readers, and other assistive technologies can interpret it<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These four objectives (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust) make up the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/WAI\/fundamentals\/accessibility-principles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">POUR principles of web accessibility<\/a>, defined in detail in the WCAG principles 2.0 guidelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/pour-principles-accessibility.png.jpg\" alt=\"POUR principles of web accessibility, custom diagram\" class=\"wp-image-6819\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-8, #ffffff)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-palette-color-4-color\">The POUR principles of web accessibility<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>An accessible WordPress website must consider the needs of the following user groups:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>visitors who access the frontend of the website<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>logged-in users or subscribers who also access member-only areas and the WordPress dashboard<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>contributors, writers, editors, and administrators who access everything that logged-in users plus the block editor and some or all of the admin pages&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, WordPress accessibility consists of the accessibility of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the WordPress admin area, including the block editor and Customizer interface<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the activated theme<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>all of the activated plugins<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the content appearing both on the frontend and backend, including widgets, notifications and error messages, and media content such as images and videos<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"is-word-press-accessible-by-default\">Is WordPress Accessible Out of the Box?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While WordPress is not fully accessible yet, it\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/about\/accessibility\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">already a requirement<\/a> that all new code uploaded to WordPress.org conforms with the<a href=\"https:\/\/developer.wordpress.org\/coding-standards\/wordpress-coding-standards\/accessibility\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> WordPress Accessibility Coding Standards<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress also has an <a href=\"https:\/\/make.wordpress.org\/accessibility\/handbook\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Accessibility Handbook<\/a>, and you can follow the <a href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/WordPress\/gutenberg\/issues?q=is%3Aissue+label%3A%22Accessibility+%28a11y%29%22+is%3Aopen\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">state of the block editor\u2019s accessibility issues<\/a> on GitHub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1424\" height=\"919\" src=\"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/gutenberg-editor-accessibility.png\" alt=\"WordPress accessibility issues of the block editor, GitHub.com, issue tracker, screenshot\" class=\"wp-image-6769\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-8, #ffffff)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-palette-color-4-color\">Accessibility issues of the Gutenberg editor tracked on GitHub.com<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the existing issues, WordPress accessibility has improved a lot in recent years. With the help of an accessible theme, it\u2019s possible to create a WordPress website that\u2019s fully accessible on the frontend and in most parts of the admin area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the WPCampus Accessibility Report,\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.deque.com\/blog\/wordpress-accessibility\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">84% of WordPress themes and plugins exhibit accessibility issues<\/a><\/strong>, particularly due to poor coding practices or non-compliance with accessibility standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-make-an-accessible-word-press-site\">5 Key Steps to Build an Accessible WordPress Site<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, let\u2019s see the most important steps to implement WordPress accessibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-choose-an-accessible-theme\">1. Choose an Accessible Theme<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Accessible website design starts at the design phase, which, in the world of WordPress, means an accessible theme, <a href=\"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">such as Blocksy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1495\" height=\"920\" src=\"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/blocksy-landing-page.png\" alt=\"Blocksy, an example of an accessible WordPress theme, landing page screenshot\" class=\"wp-image-6774\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-8, #ffffff)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-palette-color-4-color\">Blocksy&#8217;s homepage<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You can evaluate the accessibility of a WordPress theme after installing and activating it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress theme accessibility refers to the accessibility of the basic design and code of a theme. However, you still need to pay attention to configuring the settings (e.g. colors) with accessibility in mind and adding accessible content (posts, articles, images, videos, etc.) to your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An accessible WordPress theme:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>can be fully navigated with a keyboard, including all the links, menus, forms, and buttons<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>has a \u2018skip-to-content\u2019 link<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>all links are underlined<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the <a href=\"https:\/\/developer.mozilla.org\/en-US\/docs\/Web\/CSS\/:focus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">:focus state<\/a> (the position of the Tab key on the screen) is visible and easily distinguishable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>has a semantic and clean code base so that screen readers can interpret the content structure<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>loads fast<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>provides settings that let website owners implement accessible design<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, Blocksy\u2019s default design includes highly visible, underlined links and a thick, blue outline for the <code>:focus<\/code> state:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"986\" src=\"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/blocsky-accessible-focus-state.png\" alt=\"Example of keyboard-accessible :focus state, screenshot of a test site created with Blocksy \" class=\"wp-image-6782\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-8, #ffffff)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-palette-color-4-color\">Blocksy&#8217;s keyboard-accessible :focus state \u2014 you can create a similar test site by <\/mark><mark style=\"background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-8, #ffffff)\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/themes\/blocksy\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/themes\/blocksy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">installing Blocksy for free<\/a><\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing an accessible theme is essential for usability. Here\u2019s what to look for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Keyboard Navigation<\/strong>: Test if all elements (menus, forms, links) are accessible with the Tab key. Look for a visible focus indicator.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Skip Links<\/strong>: Ensure the theme includes a \u201cSkip to Content\u201d link to help users navigate quickly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>High-Contrast Colors<\/strong>: Choose a theme with customizable color options for readability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Semantic HTML and ARIA Roles<\/strong>: Good coding practices support screen readers and meet accessibility standards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-adjust-your-themes-settings-to-improve-word-press-accessibility\">2. Customize Theme Settings for Accessibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Theme accessibility doesn\u2019t only mean an accessible frontend, but the theme\u2019s settings also must be well-structured and provide options for administrators to create an accessible website, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>increasing color contrast<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>choosing <a href=\"https:\/\/gathercontent.com\/blog\/what-makes-a-good-accessible-easy-to-read-font\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">easy-to-read fonts<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>adjusting the font size and line height<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>making buttons and other controls larger<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>creating menus and submenus that are fully accessible for both screen reader and keyboard users<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>adding supplementary navigation elements, such as breadcrumbs or a scroll-to-top button<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, Blocksy enables you to fine-tune your menu settings, including the dropdown:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1919\" height=\"953\" src=\"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/blocksy-theme-options-dropdown.png\" alt=\"Blocksy's theme options for creating an accessible menu, including Interaction Type, Click Area, Item Hover Effect, and Item Spacing\" class=\"wp-image-6783\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-8, #ffffff)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-palette-color-4-color\">Blocksy&#8217;s dropdown options in the Customizer<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve chosen an accessible theme, adjusting the settings can further enhance usability for all visitors. Here are key settings to focus on, along with examples of how these adjustments improve accessibility:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Increase Color Contrast<\/strong> &#8211; High color contrast makes text easier to read for users with low vision and in difficult lighting conditions. In the Blocksy theme\u2019s settings, you can adjust text, background, and link colors to ensure sufficient contrast. Aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Select Readable Fonts and Adjust Font Sizes<\/strong> &#8211; Clear, readable fonts and adjustable sizes help users with visual impairments and reading difficulties. Many themes allow you to choose easy-to-read fonts, such as sans-serif options, and adjust font size and line height directly in the customizer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Optimize Button and Link Visibility<\/strong> &#8211; Well-designed buttons and visible links ensure all users can easily find and interact with key elements. In themes like Blocksy, you can customize button size, color, and spacing, making sure interactive elements stand out.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Enable Accessible Navigation Options<\/strong> &#8211; Navigation features, like dropdown menus with clear hover states, help users with limited mobility or cognitive impairments find what they need easily. Use Blocksy\u2019s menu settings to set up accessible dropdown menus with defined hover effects and spacing for easier navigation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Add Supplementary Navigation Elements<\/strong> &#8211; Features like breadcrumbs and a \u201cscroll-to-top\u201d button enhance navigation, especially for users with cognitive or motor impairments. In many themes, you can enable breadcrumbs to help users understand their location within your site and add a scroll-to-top button for convenient page navigation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-create-accessible-content\">3. Create Accessible Content<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing an accessible WordPress theme is just the first step in WordPress accessibility. You also need to ensure that each piece of content you add to your WordPress site is accessible. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/web-accessibility-statistics\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">16% of the global population\u2014around 1.3 billion people\u2014live with a significant disability<\/a><\/strong>, making accessibility not just ethical but a pivotal business and UX consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The WordPress block editor has many built-in settings that help you create accessible content. For example, you can add alternative text to images for screen reader users:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1647\" height=\"872\" src=\"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/alt-text-gutenberg-editor.png\" alt=\"Alt text - an example of WordPress accessibility settings in the block editor, annotated screenshot\" class=\"wp-image-6785\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-8, #ffffff)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-palette-color-4-color\">ALT text and other options of the image block in the WordPress block editor<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also use the info box to check the <a href=\"https:\/\/accessibility.princeton.edu\/how\/content\/headings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">document outline<\/a> (the structure of your headings).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A consistent heading structure helps people with cognitive disabilities understand your content, and screen readers can also better interpret it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized has-lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1644\" height=\"862\" src=\"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/document-outline-gutenberg.png\" alt=\"Document outline box showing the heading structure of a post, screenshot\" class=\"wp-image-6788\" style=\"width:750px;height:393px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-8, #ffffff)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-palette-color-4-color\">Document Outline modal<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There are also many content blocks available by default that let you break up your content, which makes it easier to skim through longer articles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can add tables, lists, images, videos, blockquotes, and more \u2014 for example, here\u2019s a customizable table block:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1644\" height=\"861\" src=\"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/table-block-gutenberg.png\" alt=\"Customizable table block in the WordPress block editor, annotated screenshot\" class=\"wp-image-6789\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-8, #ffffff)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-palette-color-4-color\">Options of the Table block<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to using the default options of the WordPress editor, also make sure that the content you embed from external sites or upload from your computer is accessible. For instance, videos must be <a href=\"https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/best-closed-captioning-tools\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">close-captioned<\/a> so that people with hearing impairments can watch them without information loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Accessible content ensures inclusivity across your site. Here are key practices with real-world examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Add Alt Text for Images<\/strong> &#8211; Use descriptive alt text like \u201cblue cotton t-shirt with front pocket\u201d on product images, giving screen reader users meaningful context.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Structure with Headings<\/strong> &#8211; In a blog post, use H2s for main topics (\u201cBenefits of Organic Skincare\u201d) and H3s for subsections to create a logical flow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Write Descriptive Links<\/strong> &#8211; Use \u201clearn more about our sustainability practices\u201d instead of \u201cclick here\u201d to clearly indicate the link\u2019s purpose.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Provide Captions and Transcripts<\/strong> &#8211; For a tutorial video, add captions and a transcript so users can follow along by reading or watching.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use Lists and Tables<\/strong> &#8211; In a menu, list dishes, prices, and descriptions in a table for easy comparison.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Simplify Language<\/strong> &#8211; Use terms like \u201cloan options\u201d instead of \u201cfinancial credit instruments\u201d to improve readability.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-dont-rely-on-word-press-accessibility-plugins\">4. Avoid Over-Reliance on Accessibility Plugins<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While there are some accessibility plugins available for WordPress, it&#8217;s not a good idea to rely&nbsp;on these tools. People with disabilities tend to configure accessibility settings globally from their operating systems, browsers, screen readers, or other assistive technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, they can set a high-contrast color theme for all the applications they use (including the browser, together with every website they visit from there) or increase the default font size. Modern browsers also offer a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/enable-reader-mode-chrome-firefox\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">reader mode<\/a> that helps declutter web pages and uses high color contrast by default.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By adhering to the general WCAG recommendations, browsers and devices will support disabled users in the best possible way, so they won\u2019t need a separate accessibility plugin to configure settings specifically for your website (these accessibility widgets also add clutter to the page and can be confusing to many people).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, here\u2019s a screenshot of Windows 11\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/learn.microsoft.com\/en-us\/windows\/apps\/design\/accessibility\/high-contrast-themes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">contrast theme settings<\/a> that will be applied to all web pages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1009\" src=\"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/windows11-contrast-themes-settings.png\" alt=\"Windows 11 accessible contrast themes\" class=\"wp-image-6793\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-8, #ffffff)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-palette-color-4-color\">Contrast theme options in Windows 11<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>While accessibility plugins can be useful for adding quick fixes to your WordPress site, they\u2019re not a complete solution. Here\u2019s a look at when they\u2019re helpful:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Quick Enhancements<\/strong>: Plugins can add helpful features like high-contrast modes, font resizing, and text-to-speech, making your site more usable for certain audiences.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ease of Use<\/strong>: For site owners unfamiliar with accessibility coding standards, plugins offer a simple way to implement adjustments without complex customization.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Temporary Solutions<\/strong>: Plugins can temporarily improve accessibility on older sites while you work on more comprehensive updates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And where they may fall short:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Limited Control<\/strong>: Plugins can add basic accessibility features but don\u2019t address deeper issues, like keyboard navigation, semantic HTML structure, or screen reader compatibility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>User Experience Issues<\/strong>: Accessibility overlays or widgets can sometimes disrupt the user experience by cluttering the interface or conflicting with native browser and OS settings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Reliance on Core Site Accessibility<\/strong>: Plugins are only effective if your theme and core content are accessible to begin with. For instance, a plugin can\u2019t fix poor color contrast if it\u2019s hard-coded into the theme.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Focus on building accessibility into your site\u2019s design and content first. Plugins are best used as supplements to an already accessible site, not as a replacement for proper accessibility practices.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-test-your-word-press-site-for-accessibility\">5. Test Your WordPress Site for Accessibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two ways to test your website for WordPress accessibility \u2014 I recommend that you use both methods:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>testing it with a keyboard and different kinds of assistive technologies such as text-to-speech apps and screen readers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>using accessibility testing tools, e.g. <a href=\"https:\/\/wave.webaim.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">WAVE<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deque.com\/axe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">axe<\/a>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/chrome.google.com\/webstore\/detail\/lighthouse\/blipmdconlkpinefehnmjammfjpmpbjk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Lighthouse<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>test your site on a mobile device, using features like screen magnification, text resizing, and TalkBack (Android) or VoiceOver (iOS) to navigate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>reach out to users with disabilities for feedback on navigation, readability, and overall user experience. Consider conducting user testing sessions for direct insights.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s important that you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>run the accessibility testing tools in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerworld.com\/article\/3356840\/how-to-go-incognito-in-chrome-firefox-safari-and-edge.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Incognito mode<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>test both the desktop and mobile versions of your website<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, here\u2019s Lighthouse\u2019s accessibility audit for my Blocksy test site \u2014 it scored 100\/100 for both desktop and mobile:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1919\" height=\"1005\" src=\"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/blocksy-accessibility-test-lighthouse.png\" alt=\"Blocksy accessibility test results in the Lighthouse web performance analysis tool, with a 100\/100 result\" class=\"wp-image-6795\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-8, #ffffff)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-palette-color-4-color\">Accessibility test results in Lighthouse in the Chrome browser<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"faq\">FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-the-most-important-first-step-to-make-a-word-press-site-accessible\">What Is the Most Important First Step to Make a WordPress Site Accessible?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Start by choosing an accessible WordPress theme that supports keyboard navigation, visible focus states, semantic HTML, and high-contrast design. A well-coded theme like Blocksy lays the foundation for accessibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"do-i-need-accessibility-plugins-for-my-word-press-site\">Do I Need Accessibility Plugins for My WordPress Site?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Not necessarily. While accessibility plugins can offer quick fixes, they often don\u2019t address deep structural issues. It&#8217;s better to follow WCAG guidelines, use an accessible theme, and build accessibility into your content and design directly. The latest WebAIM report reveals that a staggering\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.build\/wordpress-knowledge\/web-accessibility-statistics-2024-key-insights-and-overview\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">96.3% of the world&#8217;s top one million webpages still have detectable accessibility problems<\/a><\/strong>, underscoring how prevalent these barriers remain online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-can-i-test-if-my-word-press-site-is-accessible\">How Can I Test If My WordPress Site Is Accessible?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Use both manual and automated testing: navigate your site with a keyboard and assistive technologies (like screen readers), and run accessibility audits using tools such as Lighthouse, axe, or WAVE. Always test both desktop and mobile versions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"conclusion\">Conclusion: Making Accessibility an Ongoing Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Making your WordPress site is a multi-step process that starts with choosing an accessible theme, involves creating accessible content and design, and ends with careful testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, WordPress accessibility is not something that you do once, then forget about it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To ensure long-term accessibility, you need to stay consistent, keep following the principles of accessibility, and regularly test your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Editor\u2019s note: <\/strong>This article was the second part of our <strong>WordPress Accessibility<\/strong> series. It covered how to create an accessible WordPress website, including the WordPress core, themes, plugins, the Gutenberg editor, and accessible content. Also check out the first part, which discusses <a href=\"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/blog\/website-accessibility-primer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">website accessibility in general<\/a>, and the third part, which looks into the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/blog\/accessible-wordpress-theme\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">four dos and four don&#8217;ts of choosing an accessible WordPress theme<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WordPress accessibility is a complex subject because a WordPress website consists of several parts, all of which need to comply with multiple requirements that address different kinds of accessibility needs. Therefore, making an accessible WordPress site is not an easy task. It involves various steps, including choosing an accessible theme, creating accessible content, and testing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":56,"featured_media":6817,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6765","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-resources"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":6}},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6765","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/56"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6765"}],"version-history":[{"count":56,"href":"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6765\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14000,"href":"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6765\/revisions\/14000"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6817"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6765"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6765"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativethemes.com\/blocksy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6765"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}