How to Make a WordPress Website ADA Compliant
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Chris Granat
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Making your WordPress website ADA compliant is more than a legal requirement — it’s about creating an online space that everyone can use. Millions of people live with disabilities, and if your site isn’t accessible, you risk shutting them out while also losing potential customers. In this guide, you’ll learn step by step how to bring your WordPress website up to ADA standards so it’s clear, usable, and welcoming for every visitor. Accessibility doesn’t just protect your business from lawsuits — it also improves SEO, user experience, and overall site performance. By the end, you’ll know exactly what changes to make so your site works for everyone.
What Does ADA Compliance Mean for Websites?
ADA compliance means your website meets the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). While the law originally focused on physical spaces like stores and offices, it now applies to digital spaces too. This means your website must be usable for people with vision, hearing, mobility, or cognitive impairments.
For WordPress site owners, ADA compliance means using design, content, and coding practices that remove barriers. If you’re not sure what platform your site is built on, we put together a guide on how to tell if a website is WordPress. The most widely accepted framework is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1), which outline how to make websites accessible for different disabilities.
If someone uses a screen reader, they should still be able to read your content. If someone has limited mobility, they should be able to navigate without a mouse. If someone is colorblind, they should still see and understand your message.
Why ADA Compliance Matters for Small Businesses
Accessibility is a business advantage. A website that is ADA compliant reaches more customers and creates a stronger brand image. People are more likely to trust and buy from a company that cares about inclusion.
Ignoring compliance can cost you. Businesses have been sued for websites that weren’t accessible, and settlements can run into thousands of dollars. Even if you’re never sued, a site that excludes visitors will lose traffic, sales, and referrals.
For small businesses in industries like healthcare, compliance goes beyond ADA. HIPAA sets strict requirements for how patient information is handled online. If your business deals with medical data, you’ll also want to read our guide on HIPAA-compliant WordPress website design.
For all industries, ADA compliance also boosts SEO. Google rewards websites that load fast, use clear structure, and provide alternative text for images — all of which overlap with accessibility best practices.
Step 1: Use an Accessible WordPress Theme
Your theme is the foundation of your website. If it isn’t built with accessibility in mind, you’ll struggle to make your site compliant.
Look for themes that are labeled “accessibility-ready” in the WordPress theme directory. These themes follow coding best practices for screen readers, keyboard navigation, and proper heading structures. Avoid themes with flashy animations or unusual navigation systems that can confuse assistive technology.
If you already have a theme, test it with accessibility tools. Sometimes small changes like adjusting heading tags or removing autoplay sliders can make it much easier to use.
Step 2: Add Alternative Text to Every Image
Alt text describes images for people who can’t see them. Screen readers use it to tell visitors what an image is showing.
Every image on your site should have descriptive alt text. Instead of saying “image123.jpg,” write “Chicago web designer working on a laptop” or “gas pipe installation service in Chicago.” Be specific but concise.
Adding alt text also improves SEO. Search engines rely on it to understand what your images mean, which helps your site rank higher.
Step 3: Structure Content with Headings and Lists
A wall of text is hard for anyone to read, but it’s especially difficult for people using assistive technology. Headings and lists give structure and order to your content.
Use H1 for the page title, H2 for section titles, and H3 for sub-points. Keep headings short and clear so screen readers can announce them correctly. When listing features, services, or steps, use ordered (numbered) or unordered (bullet) lists instead of long paragraphs.
This not only makes your site more accessible but also makes your content easier for all visitors to scan and digest.
Step 4: Ensure Color Contrast and Readability
Poor color contrast is one of the most common accessibility mistakes. If your text blends into the background, people with vision impairments won’t be able to read it.
Use an online tool like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker to test your colors. Aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
Also, avoid relying on color alone to convey meaning. For example, don’t just use red text to show an error message — also add an icon or a label.
Step 5: Make Your Website Keyboard Friendly
Many users with mobility impairments can’t use a mouse. They rely on keyboards, switches, or adaptive devices to navigate.
Your website must work entirely with the keyboard. Visitors should be able to tab through menus, links, and forms in a logical order. Test your site by unplugging your mouse and using only the keyboard.
WordPress plugins like WP Accessibility can help fix keyboard navigation issues. For business owners and employees who spend long hours working online, comfort matters too. Ergonomic tools like Goldtouch keyboards and mice can reduce strain and make it easier to work productively while managing your website.
Step 6: Provide Text Alternatives for Video and Audio
If you use videos, add captions. If you use audio files, provide transcripts. These changes make your content accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
YouTube and Vimeo have automatic captioning, but always review them for accuracy. For important business videos, invest in professional captioning.
Adding transcripts also boosts SEO because search engines can crawl the text.
Step 7: Use Accessible Forms and Buttons
Forms are often a barrier for accessibility. Labels, instructions, and error messages must be clear and easy to understand.
Make sure every form field has a descriptive label. Don’t just use placeholder text inside the box. Add instructions where needed, and ensure error messages appear next to the field they refer to.
Buttons should have clear, descriptive text. Instead of “Click Here,” use “Submit Contact Form” or “Download Free Guide.”
Step 8: Test Your Website with Accessibility Tools
The only way to know if your site is compliant is to test it. Free tools like WAVE, axe DevTools, and Lighthouse can scan your site for accessibility issues.
Also test your site manually with a screen reader like NVDA or VoiceOver. Experience your site the way someone with a disability would. You’ll quickly see where improvements are needed.
If you’re also checking how fresh your content is, our guide on how to check when a website was last updated walks you through seven simple methods—like inspecting headers, source code, and archives—so you can keep your content both accessible and up to date.
If you’re using WordPress, plugins can make accessibility easier to manage. We put together a list of the best WordPress plugins that can improve your website’s performance, security, and accessibility. Adding the right plugin can help you fix issues without needing advanced coding skills.
Accessibility is not a one-time task. Review your site regularly, especially when adding new content or design elements.
Accessibility Goes Beyond the Website
True accessibility is about removing barriers both online and offline. Just as your website should be easy to use for everyone, your work environment should also support comfort and inclusivity.
Think about how you and your team interact with technology every day. Long hours at a computer can create their own challenges, so improving your workspace setup is another step toward building an accessible business.
Conclusion
ADA compliance is not just about avoiding lawsuits — it’s about creating a website that welcomes every visitor. A WordPress site that follows accessibility standards will perform better in search engines, improve user experience, and reach more customers.
Start with the basics: use an accessible theme, add alt text, check color contrast, and make sure your site works with keyboards and screen readers. Then build on that foundation with regular testing and updates.
By following these steps, you’ll create a WordPress website that is not only ADA compliant but also stronger, more inclusive, and more successful for your business.
Chris Granat
Chris is the founder and lead web designer at Flamingo Agency, a Chicago web design agency.