Best Accessibility Practices for WordPress Developers & Site Owners
Creating an inclusive and user-friendly website isn’t just good design — it’s a responsibility. Accessibility ensures your site can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities.
In this post, WP Care explains the WordPress accessibility best practices every developer and site owner should follow in 2025.
1. Use Semantic HTML Structure
Properly structured HTML is the foundation of accessible WordPress websites.
- Use heading tags (
<h1>,<h2>,<h3>) in a logical order. - Include
<nav>,<main>,<footer>, and<section>elements to help assistive technologies navigate content easily.
WP Care offers WordPress website audits that identify accessibility gaps and improve code structure.
2. Add Alt Text to All Images
Alt text helps screen readers describe images to visually impaired users. It also improves your SEO ranking.
When uploading images, write descriptive alt tags such as:
“A developer working on WordPress accessibility improvements.”
This small detail ensures your WordPress accessibility best practices are fully implemented.
3. Maintain Proper Color Contrast
Color contrast helps users with visual impairments read your content comfortably. Use tools like Contrast Checker to verify that your text stands out clearly against its background.
4. Ensure Keyboard Navigation Support
Many users rely on keyboards instead of a mouse. Make sure all buttons, links, and menus are accessible using the Tab and Enter keys.
Avoid elements that trap keyboard users, such as custom popups without a close button.
5. Use Accessible WordPress Themes & Plugins
Not all themes follow accessibility standards. Choose WordPress themes labeled “Accessibility Ready” from the official WordPress Theme Directory.
For plugins, ensure they don’t break accessibility by testing them with tools like WAVE or AXE.
WP Care helps you select and configure accessible WordPress themes to meet WCAG standards.
6. Add ARIA Labels for Screen Readers
Use ARIA attributes (aria-label, aria-hidden, etc.) to enhance user navigation.
Example:
<button aria-label="Open Menu">☰</button>
This helps users understand your site’s interactive elements clearly.
7. Optimize Forms and Error Messages
Ensure all form fields have labels and instructions. Use validation messages that are readable and descriptive (e.g., “Please enter a valid email address”).
At WP Care, our WordPress maintenance services include form optimization for accessibility, performance, and compliance.
8. Test Accessibility Regularly
Use tools like:
- WAVE Accessibility Tool
- Google Lighthouse Accessibility Audit
- axe DevTools
Combine these tools with manual testing using screen readers like NVDA or VoiceOver to catch real-world usability issues.
Final Thoughts
Following WordPress accessibility best practices benefits everyone — your users, your SEO, and your brand. An accessible website loads faster, performs better, and meets global standards like WCAG 2.2.
At WP Care, we specialize in optimizing WordPress websites for speed, security, and accessibility — helping your site perform at its best for all users.