The rise of digital accessibility isn't a trend; it's a legal and ethical imperative. While Squarespace has made strides in improving its platform’s underlying accessibility features, simply using Squarespace doesn't guarantee compliance with accessibility guidelines. With WCAG 2.2 now the accepted standard and the European Accessibility Act (EAA) gaining teeth, ignoring accessibility on your Squarespace site can lead to serious consequences. This article, specifically for Squarespace users, breaks down the risks, explores real-world cases, and provides actionable steps to avoid costly mistakes.
The Changing Landscape: WCAG 2.2 and the EAA
Before diving into the consequences, let’s clarify the key regulations. WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is the internationally recognized standard for making web content accessible to people with disabilities. WCAG 2.2 builds upon previous versions, adding 8 new success criteria focusing on mobile accessibility, audio-only experiences, and more. While not law per se, WCAG is frequently referenced in accessibility legislation.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA), fully in force in 2025, mandates accessibility for public and private websites and mobile apps across the EU. It directly references WCAG 2.1 (though 2.2 is rapidly becoming the expected standard) and sets deadlines for compliance. Failure to comply can result in substantial fines and reputational damage. Even if your business isn’t based in the EU, serving EU citizens online subjects you to the EAA.
What Happens When You Ignore WCAG 2.2? The Risks
Ignoring WCAG 2.2 on your Squarespace site isn't just about excluding some users; it's about exposing yourself to significant legal and financial risks. Here’s a breakdown:
- Legal Action (ADA Lawsuits): In the US, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) doesn’t explicitly mention WCAG, but courts increasingly interpret the ADA to require websites to be accessible, often referencing WCAG as the de facto standard. Lawsuits targeting businesses with inaccessible websites are on the rise. Squarespace itself isn't liable for your site's accessibility; you are.
- EAA Fines: The EAA carries hefty fines for non-compliance. These vary by country but can be substantial – up to €6 million or 4% of a company's annual global turnover (whichever is higher).
- Reputational Damage: Negative publicity surrounding accessibility lawsuits or criticism on social media can severely damage your brand’s reputation and erode customer trust. People want to do business with companies that value inclusivity.
- Lost Business: Inaccessible websites exclude a significant portion of potential customers – people with disabilities. This represents a missed revenue opportunity.
- SEO Penalties: While not directly stated, Google prioritizes user experience. An inaccessible site can negatively impact your search engine rankings, further reducing traffic.
Real-World Cases & Fines (and How They Relate to Squarespace)
While many ADA lawsuits target large corporations, smaller businesses using platforms like Squarespace are also vulnerable. Let's look at some examples and how they apply to Squarespace users:
- The Domino's Pizza Case (2017): A blind man sued Domino's for failing to make its online ordering system accessible. The court ruled in his favor, emphasizing the importance of accessible online services. Squarespace users take note: If you sell products or services through your Squarespace site, the same principle applies. A non-accessible online store is a direct violation.
- The Beechnut Nutrition Case (2021): A class-action lawsuit against Beechnut Nutrition alleged that their website was inaccessible to visually impaired users. While the case was settled, it highlighted the increasing scrutiny of website accessibility. Squarespace-specific implication: Even seemingly innocuous content, like blog posts or informational pages, must be accessible.
- Hypothetical Squarespace Scenario: Imagine a local bakery uses a Squarespace template to sell custom cakes online. The template has poorly coded image alt text, lacks proper keyboard navigation, and has insufficient color contrast. A visually impaired customer attempts to order a cake online but encounters insurmountable barriers. They file a complaint with a consumer protection agency, triggering an investigation and potential fines under the EAA. The bakery's reputation suffers, and they lose potential business. This scenario is entirely plausible.
Squarespace Accessibility: What’s Working & What's Not
Squarespace has made improvements, but relying solely on the platform’s default settings is insufficient.
- What Squarespace Does Well: Squarespace offers some built-in accessibility features:
- Alt Text for Images: Squarespace prompts you to add alt text when uploading images. However, simply adding “image” or “photo” isn’t sufficient. Alt text must accurately describe the image’s content and function.
- Color Contrast Checker: Squarespace’s built-in design editor includes a color contrast checker. But, it’s crucial to proactively check contrast ratios across your entire site, not just during design.
- Structured Content Blocks: Using Squarespace’s structured content blocks (like headers, lists, and tables) helps create semantic HTML, which is beneficial for screen readers.
- Where Squarespace Falls Short:
- Template Customization: Many Squarespace templates, while visually appealing, have underlying accessibility issues due to complex coding and poor semantic structure. Custom code often introduces new accessibility barriers.
- Third-Party Integrations: Apps and plugins from the Squarespace Extensions Marketplace can introduce accessibility issues if they aren't developed with accessibility in mind. Carefully vet any third-party integrations.
- Dynamic Content: Forms, interactive elements, and dynamic content (like product filters) often require manual accessibility fixes. Squarespace's built-in form builder needs careful attention to labels and error handling.
- Video Accessibility: Squarespace doesn't automatically provide captions or transcripts for videos. You must manually add them.
Practical Squarespace Accessibility Implementation Steps
Here's a breakdown of actionable steps you can take to improve your Squarespace site’s accessibility:
- Choose an Accessible Template: When selecting a Squarespace template, look for those explicitly marketed as accessible. While "accessible" is often subjective, prioritize templates with clean code and semantic structure.
- Write Meaningful Alt Text: Don’t just add “image.” Describe the image’s content and purpose. For decorative images, use a null alt attribute (
alt=""). Utilize the “Image Details” section in the Squarespace editor. - Check Color Contrast: Use the built-in color contrast checker, but also verify contrast ratios across the entire site using a dedicated tool (like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker). Aim for a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
- Keyboard Navigation: Ensure all interactive elements (links, buttons, form fields) are navigable using the keyboard alone (using the Tab key). Test this thoroughly.
- Semantic HTML: Use heading tags (H1-H6) logically to structure your content. Don’t use headings solely for visual styling.
- Form Accessibility: Provide clear and concise labels for all form fields. Implement proper error handling with descriptive error messages.
- Video & Audio Accessibility: Provide captions and transcripts for all videos and audio content. Squarespace allows for manual upload of these files.
- Audit Regularly: Conduct regular accessibility audits using automated tools (like WAVE or Axe) and manual testing. Consider engaging an accessibility consultant for a thorough review.
- Consider Accessio.ai: While manual fixes are important, they're often reactive. Accessio.ai uses AI to automatically identify and fix accessibility issues at the source code level. This proactive approach is significantly faster and more effective than relying solely on manual audits and fixes, especially for complex Squarespace customizations. It’s a way to ensure ongoing compliance and prevent new issues from arising.
Key Takeaways & Quick Summary (For Featured Snippets)
- WCAG 2.2 is the current accessibility standard.
- The EAA carries significant fines for non-compliance.
- Squarespace offers some accessibility features, but isn't a guaranteed solution.
- Meaningful alt text, proper color contrast, and keyboard navigation are crucial.
- Automated tools and AI-powered solutions like Accessio.ai can streamline accessibility efforts.
Next Steps
- Conduct a Basic Accessibility Audit: Use WAVE or Axe to scan your Squarespace site for common accessibility errors.
- Review Your Alt Text: Ensure all images have descriptive alt text.
- Check Color Contrast: Verify that your site meets the required contrast ratios.
- Explore Accessio.ai: Learn how AI-powered accessibility solutions can automate your compliance efforts.
- Stay Informed: Keep abreast of changes in accessibility regulations and best practices.
This is a critical time for digital accessibility. Proactive measures now can save you significant legal and reputational headaches in the future. Don't wait until you receive a demand letter – start improving your Squarespace site's accessibility today.