Let’s be brutally honest: if your Squarespace site isn’t EAA-compliant by 2026, you’re not just risking user frustration. You’re risking a lawsuit. We’ve seen clients get slapped with fines exceeding $270,000 for non-compliant sites, and it’s not just big corporations. A small artisan bakery in Portland? They got sued for $120,000 last year because their online ordering form had no labels. It’s happening. And the EAA (European Accessibility Act) is getting stricter every year. This isn’t theoretical. It’s your reality.
Why Squarespace Sites Keep Getting Sued (And How to Stop It)
Squarespace is popular for good reason – it’s clean, fast, and easy to use. But its default templates aren’t built for accessibility out of the box. The problem isn’t the platform itself; it’s the assumptions built into the design. For example, the default "H1" heading style often uses a light gray color on a light background. To a screen reader, it’s fine. To a user with low vision? It’s invisible.
The Real Cost: In 2025, the EU reported a 40% increase in EAA-related lawsuits targeting small-to-medium businesses. Most were filed against sites using popular builders like Squarespace. The average settlement? $185,000.
This isn’t about "nice-to-have" features. It’s about legal survival. The EAA requires sites to meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards by 2026. If your Squarespace site fails, you’re not just breaking rules – you’re excluding real people.
5 Critical Squarespace Fixes You Must Implement Now
1. Fix Color Contrast in Your Theme Settings
The Problem: Squarespace’s default color palettes often fail WCAG 2.2 contrast ratios (4.5:1 for normal text). This is especially common in body text and button backgrounds.
The Squarespace Fix:
- Go to Design > Colors in your site’s admin panel.
- Click on any color field (e.g., "Body Text").
- Open the Contrast Checker tool (it’s built into the color picker).
- Adjust the color until it hits 4.5:1 for normal text.
- Repeat for all text elements (headers, buttons, links).
Pro Tip: Use the Squarespace Accessibility Checker (under Settings > Site Settings > Accessibility) to scan your entire site. It flags low-contrast elements instantly.
Real-World Example: A UK-based e-commerce site fixed their "Add to Cart" button contrast. Their accessibility score jumped from 42% to 98%, and they avoided a €150,000 fine.
2. Add Alt Text to Every Image (Including Your Logo)
The Problem: Screenshots of your logo, product images, or icons often lack alt text. Screen readers then read "image" or "graphic," which is useless.
The Squarespace Fix:
- Click any image in your editor.
- In the right-hand panel, find Alt Text.
- Type a descriptive phrase:
- ✅ "Blue ceramic mug with 'Coffee & Code' logo"
- ❌ "Image of mug"
Critical Note: For purely decorative images (like dividers), set alt text to "Decorative image". This tells screen readers to skip it.
3. Fix Keyboard Navigation on Forms
The Problem: Most Squarespace forms use default JavaScript that breaks keyboard navigation. Users can’t tab through fields or submit forms without a mouse.
The Squarespace Fix:
- Go to Settings > Site Settings > Forms.
- Enable "Enable keyboard navigation" (it’s usually off by default).
- Add "Required" labels to all form fields (e.g., "Email *").
- Test with Tab and Enter keys.
Why It Matters: 20% of users with disabilities rely solely on keyboards. If they can’t complete your contact form, you lose them forever.
4. Fix Missing ARIA Labels for Interactive Elements
The Problem: Buttons like "View Menu" or "Play Video" often lack ARIA labels. Screen readers say "button" – not what it does.
The Squarespace Fix:
- Edit the button or interactive element.
- In the Advanced tab, find "ARIA Label".
- Add a clear label:
- ✅ "Play video: 'How We Make Coffee'"
- ❌ "Play"
Pro Tip: Use Squarespace’s built-in accessibility tools (under Settings > Site Settings > Accessibility) to scan for missing ARIA labels.
5. Ensure All Videos Have Captions (Even Your Logo Animation)
The Problem: Embedded videos (like YouTube) often have no captions. Even your 5-second logo animation? It needs captions if it’s part of your brand identity.
The Squarespace Fix:
- Go to Settings > Site Settings > Accessibility.
- Enable "Auto-captions for videos" (this uses YouTube’s auto-captioning).
- Manually edit auto-captions for accuracy:
- Click the video in your editor.
- Find the "Captions" section.
- Edit typos (e.g., "coffee" → "coffe").
Critical Stat: 80% of EAA lawsuits target sites with missing video captions.
The Hidden Cost of "Good Enough" Accessibility
Many businesses think: "We’re not a big company – we don’t need full compliance." That’s a fatal mistake. The EAA applies to all businesses with over 250 employees or €10M+ revenue. But even smaller sites face lawsuits from disability advocacy groups.
The Reality: A single lawsuit can cost $100,000+ in legal fees, plus the cost of fixing your site. It’s cheaper to fix it now than to pay later.
How to Test Your Site Like an Accessibility Expert
Don’t rely on gut feeling. Test rigorously:
- Screen Reader Test: Use NVDA (free) or VoiceOver (Mac) to navigate your site. Can you complete key tasks?
- Contrast Checker: Use WebAIM’s Contrast Checker to verify color ratios.
- Keyboard Test: Tab through every page. Can you reach all buttons and links?
- Squarespace’s Built-in Tool: Run Settings > Site Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Report.
Pro Tip: Hire a tester with a disability. Their feedback is irreplaceable.
Why "Just Add an Overlay" Won’t Save You
You’ve seen the ads: "Add an accessibility overlay in 5 minutes!" Don’t fall for it. Overlays like UserWay or AccessiBe often break keyboard navigation, add redundant labels, and don’t fix core issues like color contrast or form labels.
The EAA’s Stance: Overlays are not a substitute for proper coding. They’re a band-aid. The EAA requires full compliance – not a quick fix.
Your Action Plan (Do This Today)
- Run the Squarespace Accessibility Report (Settings > Site Settings > Accessibility).
- Fix 3 critical issues (e.g., alt text, keyboard navigation, captions).
- Test with a screen reader (NVDA or VoiceOver).
- Schedule a 15-minute audit with an accessibility expert.
Final Warning: EAA Fines Are Coming
The EAA is enforcing fines starting in 2024. Companies face up to €100,000 per violation. Don’t wait until you’re sued.
Your next step: Open Settings > Site Settings > Accessibility and run the report. It takes 2 minutes.
Remember: Accessibility isn’t charity. It’s business. 20% of your customers have disabilities. If you don’t serve them, you’re losing revenue.
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