WordPress Accessibility: 6 Fixes Your Store Needs Before the EAA Deadline

The Enacted Accessibility Act (EAA) of 2026 is rapidly approaching, significantly raising the stakes for online businesses. Non-compliance can lead to costly lawsuits and reputational damage. For WordPress store owners, many of whom are small to medium-sized businesses, the prospect of achieving full accessibility can seem daunting. This article provides six critical fixes you must address in your WordPress store before the EAA deadline, focusing on practical implementation steps and explaining why these fixes are essential.

Understanding the EAA and Why WordPress Matters

The EAA builds upon existing accessibility laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and significantly expands their scope and enforcement. It mandates that all websites, including e-commerce platforms, be accessible to individuals with disabilities. WCAG 2.2 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) serves as the primary technical standard for compliance.

WordPress, being the most popular CMS globally, powers a significant portion of e-commerce sites. While WordPress itself has some accessibility features, themes and plugins often introduce accessibility barriers. Simply using WordPress doesn’t guarantee accessibility; proactive remediation is crucial.

“The EAA isn't just about avoiding lawsuits; it’s about ensuring everyone can access your products and services. Expanding your reach benefits your business and fulfills a societal responsibility.”

1. Semantic HTML Structure: Beyond Divs and Spans

A foundation of accessible web design is using semantic HTML. This means employing HTML5 elements like <header>, <nav>, <main>, <article>, <aside>, and <footer> correctly. Avoid relying solely on <div> and <span> tags, as these lack inherent meaning for assistive technologies.

Implementation Steps:

1. Theme Inspection: Review your theme's HTML structure. Does it utilize semantic elements? Many modern themes do, but older ones might not.
2. Code Editor: Access your theme files (Appearance > Theme Editor in the WordPress admin panel). Look for instances where semantic elements could be substituted for generic <div> elements.
3. Example: Instead of: <div class="header">...</div>, use <header>...</header>.
4. Plugin Assistance: Consider plugins like "Accessibility Checker" which can highlight missing or misused semantic elements.

Incorrect semantic structure hinders screen reader optimization, as screen readers rely on these elements to understand the page layout and content hierarchy.

2. Meaningful Alternative Text (Alt Text) for Images

Images are a vital part of e-commerce, but inaccessible alt text renders them useless for visually impaired users. Alt text provides a textual description of an image that screen readers convey. It’s not just about describing what’s in the image, but also its purpose.

Implementation Steps:

1. Media Library: When uploading images (Media > Library), always add descriptive alt text in the "Alternative Text" field.
2. Decorative Images: For purely decorative images (e.g., background patterns), use alt="" (empty alt text). This signals to screen readers to ignore the image.
3. Functional Images: If an image acts as a button or link, the alt text should describe its function (e.g., alt="Add to Cart").
4. Context Matters: Consider the context of the image. An image of a product should have alt text describing the product.

"A common mistake is generic alt text like 'image' or 'picture'. This provides no useful information to screen reader users."

3. Keyboard Navigation: Ensuring Full Functionality

Many users rely on keyboard navigation due to motor impairments or assistive technologies. Your store must be fully navigable using only the keyboard (Tab, Shift+Tab, Enter, Arrow Keys).

Implementation Steps:

1. Tab Order: Test the tab order throughout your store. Does the focus follow a logical sequence?
2. Focus Indicators: Ensure visible focus indicators (e.g., a highlighted border) are present for keyboard-navigated elements. Themes often remove or customize these, breaking accessibility.
3. Skip Navigation Link: Implement a "Skip to Content" link at the top of the page. This allows users to bypass repetitive navigation menus and jump directly to the main content.
4. Plugin Check: Use accessibility testing plugins to identify keyboard navigation issues.

Poor keyboard navigation significantly hinders user experience and is a common WordPress ADA violation.

4. Form Accessibility: Labels, Instructions, and Error Handling

Forms (search, checkout, contact) are critical for e-commerce. Inaccessible forms are a major barrier for users with disabilities. Proper labeling, clear instructions, and accessible error messages are essential.

Implementation Steps:

1. <label> Association: Associate form labels with their corresponding input fields using the for attribute. <label for="name">Name:</label><input type="text" id="name" name="name">
2. Instructions: Provide clear and concise instructions for form completion.
3. Error Messages: Display error messages in a prominent and accessible manner, associating them with the relevant form fields. Use ARIA attributes (see below) to improve error message accessibility.
4. CAPTCHA Alternatives: Consider accessible CAPTCHA alternatives or CAPTCHA-free authentication methods.

5. ARIA Attributes: Enhancing Semantic Meaning

ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes provide additional semantic information to assistive technologies when standard HTML elements are insufficient. They’re particularly useful for complex widgets and dynamic content.

Implementation Steps:

1. Understand ARIA Roles: Learn common ARIA roles like role="button", role="alert", aria-label, aria-describedby.
2. Dynamic Content: Use ARIA attributes to describe the state and purpose of dynamically updated content (e.g., AJAX search results).
3. Error Handling: Use aria-live="assertive" to announce error messages to screen readers.
4. Caution: Use ARIA judiciously. Incorrect ARIA implementation can be worse than no ARIA at all.

"ARIA isn’t a replacement for semantic HTML. It's a supplement to enhance accessibility where HTML falls short."

6. Color Contrast and Readability

Ensure sufficient color contrast between text and background to meet WCAG guidelines. Poor color contrast makes it difficult for users with low vision to read content. Consider readability for users with cognitive disabilities as well.

Implementation Steps:

1. Contrast Checker: Use a color contrast checker (many are available online) to verify that your color combinations meet WCAG AA or AAA standards.
2. Font Size and Spacing: Use sufficiently large font sizes and adequate spacing between lines and paragraphs.
3. Avoid Color as the Sole Indicator: Don’t rely solely on color to convey information. For example, use text labels in addition to color to indicate required form fields.
4. Theme Customization: Adjust theme colors through the WordPress Customizer (Appearance > Customize) to improve contrast.

Maintaining adequate color contrast is a fundamental aspect of WordPress WCAG compliance.

Key Takeaways

• The EAA deadline is approaching, demanding proactive accessibility remediation.
• Semantic HTML is the foundation of accessible web design.
• Alt text for images must be descriptive and contextually relevant.
• Keyboard navigation must be seamless and logical.
• ARIA attributes enhance accessibility for complex widgets and dynamic content.
• Color contrast and readability are crucial for users with visual impairments.

We’ve seen firsthand how neglecting these accessibility fixes can lead to significant legal and reputational repercussions. Addressing these issues isn’t just about compliance; it's about creating a more inclusive and user-friendly online experience.

Next Steps

1. Accessibility Audit: Conduct a thorough accessibility audit of your WordPress store.
2. Prioritize Fixes: Address the most critical issues first based on the audit findings.
3. Consider Professional Help: Engage an accessibility consultant for expert guidance and remediation.
4. Explore AI-Powered Solutions: Tools like Accessio.ai leverage artificial intelligence to automate accessibility checks and fix issues at the source code level, offering a more efficient and scalable solution than traditional manual approaches or overlay widgets. Accessio.ai can identify and remediate complex ARIA issues and ensure keyboard navigation is flawless.
5. Ongoing Monitoring: Accessibility is an ongoing process. Continuously monitor your store for accessibility issues and update as needed.

Remember, compliance isn't a one-time event; it's a continuous commitment to inclusivity.