Greg McNeil, Author at 216digital

Mastering ARIA in HTML: A Guide for Developers
If you’re building digital experiences in 2025, you know the landscape has evolved significantly. Mobile dominates, and for over a billion people with disabilities worldwide, accessibility isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. As front-end developers and accessibility specialists, our role extends beyond coding for functionality—we’re creating inclusive experiences.

This is precisely where ARIA in HTML steps up. When native HTML can’t clearly communicate what dynamic interfaces are doing—like expanding menus, modal dialogs, or custom widgets—ARIA bridges those gaps. Used effectively, it connects aesthetic, intuitive front-end design with genuinely accessible user experiences.

Let’s explore how to effectively incorporate ARIA in HTML, steer clear of common pitfalls, and ensure your mobile-first designs prioritize inclusion from the outset.

Understanding ARIA in HTML

ARIA, or Accessible Rich Internet Applications, is a W3C specification designed to enhance semantic meaning in web content. Essentially, it’s metadata crafted specifically to communicate clearly with assistive technologies like screen readers.

You might wonder—why not rely exclusively on semantic HTML?

We absolutely should prioritize semantic HTML. However, certain custom components—like custom dropdowns or dynamic interfaces—can surpass what native HTML can express. That’s exactly where ARIA in HTML becomes indispensable.

ARIA Comprises Three Key Components
- Roles: Clearly define an element’s function.
- States: Indicate conditions that change dynamically (expanded/collapsed).
- Properties: Offer consistent, generally static information (labels or relationships).
Let’s explore these individually to clarify their application.

ARIA Roles – Clearly Defining Element Purpose

ARIA roles inform assistive technologies precisely what an element represents. They’re foundational to implementing ARIA effectively.

Common Role Categories
- Landmark Roles guide users through structural sections: <nav role="navigation" aria-label="Main Navigation">…</nav>
- Widget Roles identify interactive controls: <div role="button" tabindex="0" aria-pressed="false">Toggle</div>
- Document Structure Roles illustrate content hierarchies, such as headings, articles, or lists.
- Abstract Roles provide a structural foundation but aren’t directly used in code.
ARIA roles effectively transform generic <div> elements into meaningful components, but only when a suitable native element isn’t available. For instance, always prefer <button> over div[role="button"] when possible.

ARIA States and Properties – Capturing Dynamic Interactivity

ARIA truly demonstrates its value in conveying dynamic content behavior. When UI elements change states—like expanding menus, selecting items, or providing live updates—ARIA states and properties clearly relay this to assistive technology.
- States (change dynamically): aria-expanded, aria-checked, aria-pressed
- Properties (typically static): aria-labelledby, aria-describedby, aria-controls
Example: Expandable Menu
```
<button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="menu">Menu</button>
<ul id="menu" hidden>
  <li><a href="#">Item 1</a></li>
  <li><a href="#">Item 2</a></li>
</ul>
```
Example: Labeled Input
```
<label id="emailLabel">Email:</label>
<input type="email" aria-labelledby="emailLabel">
```
States and properties ensure screen reader users consistently understand UI changes in real-time, creating seamless interactions.

ARIA in Mobile Web Development – Best Practices

Mobile development introduces unique accessibility considerations. Small screens, touch interfaces, and various screen readers can complicate implementation, but well-executed ARIA enhances the responsive design experience.

Mobile Considerations
- Touch Targets: Ensure sufficient size and spacing.
- Screen Readers: Regularly test with VoiceOver (iOS) and TalkBack (Android).
- Responsiveness: Maintain ARIA accuracy through layout shifts.
Best Practices
- Always use native HTML elements first. Opt for <button> when possible.
- Avoid redundant roles. A <nav> inherently has navigation context and typically doesn’t require role="navigation" unless clarified with aria-label.
- Ensure all interactive elements are keyboard-accessible.
- Provide clear accessible names with aria-label or aria-labelledby.
Common Pitfalls
- Misusing aria-hidden: Avoid hiding interactive elements, as it disrupts user experiences.
- Incorrect roles: Assign roles strictly aligned with functionality—avoid role="button" on non-interactive headings.
When implemented thoughtfully, ARIA in HTML fosters accessible, intuitive mobile experiences.

ARIA and WCAG – Achieving Accessibility Standards

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide essential standards for digital accessibility. ARIA complements WCAG, offering practical ways to achieve compliance and enhance experiences.

WCAG Principles Supported by ARIA
- Perceivable: Communicates dynamic content clearly (e.g., aria-live).
- Operable: Facilitates keyboard control via appropriate roles and states.
- Understandable: Clarifies purpose using meaningful labels.
- Robust: Ensures future-proof, compatible experiences.
Correct ARIA use significantly advances your site towards WCAG 2.2 AA compliance, enhancing accessibility comprehensively.

Testing ARIA Implementations – Tools and Techniques

Effective ARIA in HTML requires rigorous testing—without it, even perfect code can fail users.

Recommended Tools
- WAVE: Quickly identify visual ARIA issues via Chrome.
- NVDA (Windows) and VoiceOver (macOS/iOS): Essential screen reader testing.
- BrowserStack Workflow Scanner: Detects ARIA issues in user workflows.
Testing Strategies
- Automated Tests: Detect immediate issues like missing labels or roles.
- Manual Tests: Tab through interactive elements; ensure clarity with screen readers.
- User Tests: Real-world feedback remains crucial for catching overlooked issues.
Comprehensive testing ensures ARIA implementations genuinely enhance user accessibility rather than hindering it.

ARIA You Ready for Accessibility?

ARIA in HTML isn’t a magical solution—it’s a powerful tool. Utilized effectively, it allows developers to build accessible digital experiences that resonate with everyone, particularly crucial for mobile users dependent on assistive technology.

As developers, designers, and accessibility experts, we’re collectively responsible for crafting an inclusive web. Let’s commit to making accessibility integral—not an afterthought.

Need guidance with ARIA strategies or comprehensive accessibility audits? 216digital offers expertise and support. Schedule a quick ADA compliance briefing and discover how your site can confidently meet and surpass WCAG standards.

Let’s continue advancing accessibility, enhancing experiences one ARIA attribute at a time.
Greg McNeil

May 27, 2025

How-to Guides

Accessibility, ARIA, aria-describedby, aria-label, How-to, WCAG, Web Accessibility
Court Ruling Confirms ADA Title III Covers Websites

As the boundaries between physical and digital business continue to blur, courts are stepping in to clarify what inclusion really means online. One recent ruling, Frost v. Lion Brand Yarn Company, brings that conversation into focus. In February 2025, a Minnesota federal judge ruled that websites qualify as places of public accommodation under ADA Title III. This decision supports what many in the digital and legal communities have long believed: accessibility online deserves consistent attention. While it doesn’t resolve every legal question, it strengthens the case for making digital inclusion part of a responsible business approach.

Frost v. Lion Brand Yarn Company Case

In Frost v. Lion Brand Yarn Company, Clarence and Tammy Frost—both legally blind—alleged that the company’s website was inaccessible to screen reader users. They argued this violated ADA Title III, which prohibits discrimination based on disability in places of public accommodation.

Lion Brand Yarn asked the court to dismiss the case, claiming that its website wasn’t a physical place and therefore didn’t fall under the scope of the ADA.

Court Decision and ADA Title III Interpretation

On February 6, 2025, U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez denied the motion to dismiss. Her decision stated that a website can, in fact, be considered a place of public accommodation under ADA Title III. She emphasized the law’s broad intent and noted that excluding digital spaces would limit access in today’s online world.

Legal Reasoning Behind ADA Title III Decision

Judge Menendez’s ruling follows a growing trend in how courts interpret the ADA. Even though the law was written before websites existed, many judges now recognize that its goals—ensuring equal access—apply in digital spaces, too.

The court explained that ignoring websites under ADA Title III would go against the law’s purpose. If businesses offer goods and services online, people with disabilities must have equal access to those experiences.

Broader Implications of ADA Title III in Digital Accessibility

This case contributes to the growing conversation about whether ADA Title III covers digital platforms.Some courts have said yes, others no—but momentum is building toward broader interpretation. More judges, and the Department of Justice, are saying that websites count.

By viewing digital platforms as essential for communication and commerce, this ruling helps make the case that online inclusion is part of federal disability rights.

The Legal Shift Toward Website Accessibility Under ADA Title III

The Minnesota decision supports what many businesses and advocates have been saying: websites need to be accessible. While there’s still legal gray area, the trend is clear—courts are treating digital inaccessibility more seriously.

Congress didn’t limit ADA Title III to physical places, and courts are using that flexibility to apply it to today’s technology. With websites acting as digital storefronts, accessibility is increasingly expected as a baseline.

Agencies like the Department of Justice also support this view. As websites become central to how businesses operate, they must be designed with accessibility in mind.

Actionable Steps for Compliance with ADA Title III

If your business operates online, now is the time to prioritize accessibility. Here are some practical, proven steps to move in the right direction:

Conduct Accessibility Audits

Use a mix of automated tools and manual checks to find and fix barriers that prevent access.

Implement WCAG Guidelines

Follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA to ensure your content is usable for people with disabilities.

Train Development Teams

Make sure developers and designers understand accessibility best practices from the start.

Engage Users with Disabilities

Include people with disabilities in your testing process—they offer insights that no automated tool can.

Maintain Ongoing Compliance

Use tools like a11y.Radar to monitor your site regularly and stay on top of new issues. Accessibility isn’t a one-time fix—it’s ongoing.

Erkan v. David A. Hidalgo, MD, P.C. provides one example of proactive compliance. There, a judge acknowledged that steps taken to address accessibility concerns helped mitigate legal risk. It’s a good reminder that prevention is always better than response.

Implications of ADA Title III for Businesses

This ruling matters most for businesses that sell or provide services online. Failing to address accessibility could lead to legal challenges, negative press, and missed opportunities to connect with customers.

On the flip side, investing in accessibility shows you value all your users. It can improve user experience, increase brand trust, and even open up new markets.

The Time to Act is Now

The Minnesota ruling strengthens the growing understanding that websites are part of the ADA Title III conversation. While not every legal question is settled, businesses have more reason than ever to take accessibility seriously.

If your website serves the public, this case is a signal to act. Not because you’re forced to—but because it’s the right thing to do.

To learn more about how to proactively address ADA conformance, schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital today. Our team of accessibility experts is ready to guide your business through every step of the process, helping you stay ahead of evolving legal standards while building a more inclusive web for everyone.

Greg McNeil

May 23, 2025

Legal Compliance

Accessibility, ADA Compliance, ADA Lawsuits, ADA Title III, Title III, Website Accessibility
Website Legal Compliance: What You’re Missing
When you launch a new site, it’s easy to obsess over visuals, page speed, and fancy features. Yet the part that can hurt most—financially and reputationally—is website legal compliance. From privacy regulations to accessibility standards and copyright concerns, missing the mark can lead to fines, lawsuits, and serious damage to your reputation.

In this article, we’ll break down the core legal areas every website owner needs to understand—and offer clear steps to help you stay protected and accountable.

The Importance of Website Legal Compliance

Website legal compliance refers to the set of laws and regulations that govern how websites must operate. This includes how personal data is collected, stored, and shared, how accessible your site is to users with disabilities, and how you handle intellectual property.

Staying aligned with today’s legal standards shows that your site is built with care and intention. It reflects a clear understanding of your users’ needs, the expectations of regulatory bodies, and the broader responsibility that comes with running an online business. In practice, legal compliance supports everything from user trust to operational stability.

The Rules Are Constantly Evolving

Unfortunately, keeping up with these responsibilities isn’t always straightforward. Legal standards on the web are constantly shifting—what’s acceptable today might fall short tomorrow. New laws roll out, existing ones evolve, and enforcement becomes more active.

Global data privacy regulations like the GDPR, state-level laws such as California’s CCPA and CPRA, and evolving accessibility standards like WCAG 2.2 introduce new layers of responsibility. These shifts—each with their own nuances and timelines—make it clear that staying compliant isn’t something you do once and forget.

It takes ongoing attention, flexibility, and collaboration across your digital team to keep everything aligned. Approaching compliance with intention—rather than waiting until something goes wrong—helps keep your site stable and your risk low.

Key Areas of Website Legal Compliance

As legal requirements continue to evolve, it helps to understand where your responsibilities fall. Legal compliance spans a wide range of areas—from how you handle user data to the specific regulations that apply to your industry. Breaking it down into manageable parts can make the process feel more focused and achievable.

Data Privacy & Protection

Data privacy is all about respecting and protecting the personal information people share when they visit your website—things like names, email addresses, IP addresses, and browsing activity. It gives individuals the right to understand how their data is used, and the ability to make informed choices about it. This includes having the power to access their information, correct it, or even ask for it to be deleted.

To support these rights, many countries have passed specific laws that set clear rules for how businesses must collect, handle, and share personal data. These laws apply even if your business is located in a different region, as long as you serve users in those areas. Key examples include:
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): Governs data protection in the European Union. It applies to any business—no matter where it’s located—that collects or processes data from EU residents.
- California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA): Grants California residents the right to know what personal data is collected, request deletion, and opt out of data sales.
- California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA): Requires commercial websites and online services that collect personal data from California residents to post a clear privacy policy.
- Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA): Canada’s primary privacy law for private-sector organizations, outlining rules for obtaining meaningful consent and handling personal information responsibly.
These laws are designed to protect users’ privacy, and they often apply based on where your users are—not where your business is. If your website serves visitors in these regions, you’re likely required to comply.

Where to Start

If you’re aiming to meet data privacy requirements, begin with a few foundational steps:
- Post a privacy policy that’s easy to understand and up to date.
- Use a cookie banner that explains what’s being collected and why.
- Allow users to access, correct, or delete their personal information.
- Confirm your third-party vendors handle data responsibly.
You may also need to address specific regulations, such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) if your site collects data from children, or the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC) if your business operates in the U.S.

Accessibility

Your website should work for everyone—not just some visitors. Web accessibility means designing your site so that people with disabilities can use it without barriers. This includes individuals with vision, hearing, mobility, and cognitive differences. Making your website accessible isn’t just considerate—it’s often required by law.

Here are some of the key legal frameworks that shape web accessibility standards:
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): A U.S. civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. While the ADA doesn’t specifically name websites, courts have increasingly ruled that business websites—especially those tied to physical storefronts—must be accessible.
- Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act: Requires federal agencies and organizations receiving federal funding in the U.S. to ensure their websites and digital services are accessible to people with disabilities.
- Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA): A Canadian law that sets mandatory accessibility standards for public and private sector websites in Ontario.
- California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act: A state law that guarantees equal access to all business services, and has been used to support lawsuits demanding website accessibility.
All of these laws reinforce the same idea: digital spaces should be usable by everyone. And they’re pushing more businesses to treat accessibility as essential—not optional.

Meeting Technical Standards

Legal requirements are one side of the equation—making them work on your site is the other. Once you’ve wrapped your head around the laws, the next step is applying them in a way that actually works for your users and your team.

The most widely recognized framework for building accessible websites is provided by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Aiming for WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance is a strong, practical target. That includes steps like:
- Making your site usable with a keyboard
- Adding alt text to meaningful images
- Providing captions for video content
- Using clear structure and strong color contrast
Implementation: Turning Website Legal Compliance Into Culture

Run an Audit

Start by evaluating where you stand:
- Map how personal data flows through your site
- Check for accessibility barriers
- Review cookies, plugins, and integrations
- Document areas for improvement and assign owners
Audits give you clarity and a foundation for action.

Update Your Policies

Maintain clear, accessible documentation:
- Privacy Policy
- Cookie Policy
- Terms of Service
- Accessibility Statement
Avoid legal jargon. Update your policies annually or when regulations change. Place them in visible locations, like your website footer.

Train Your Team

Website legal compliance isn’t a solo task. Everyone on your team plays a role:
- Developers ensure systems protect data
- Designers build with accessibility in mind
- Marketers follow consent rules and maintain transparency
Create a shared checklist and offer periodic training to keep everyone aligned.

Maintain Ongoing Vigilance
- Schedule quarterly audits
- Monitor legal updates from reliable sources
- Log and address user complaints promptly
- Track progress on accessibility improvements
This approach transforms compliance from a one-time task into an ongoing priority.

Feature an Accessibility Statement

A good accessibility statement provides:
- Your current conformance level (e.g., WCAG 2.1 AA)
- A summary of known issues and planned improvements
- Contact information for feedback
Publishing a statement makes your efforts visible and invites accountability.

Future-Proof Your Website

Website legal compliance doesn’t happen all at once. It’s woven into how you build, update, and maintain your site over time. From protecting data to improving accessibility, every improvement you make is part of a broader commitment—to your users, to your business, and to doing things right.

There’s no shortcut, and that’s okay. The point isn’t perfection—it’s consistency. Staying informed, making thoughtful updates, and involving your team means you’re building a foundation that can grow with your business, not against it.

If you’re unsure where to start or need help making sense of it all, 216digital is here. Let’s talk through your next steps in a quick ADA briefing—no pressure, just practical guidance to help you move forward with clarity.
Greg McNeil

May 22, 2025

Legal Compliance

Accessibility, ADA Website Compliance, data privacy, GDPR, Legal compliance, Web Accessibility
Ease Into Motion: Smarter Animation Accessibility
Imagine clicking into a website and being hit with swirling graphics, sliding panels, or a bouncing button that just won’t stop. For many people, that kind of animation isn’t just annoying—it’s physically harmful. Dizziness. Nausea. Migraines. Disorientation. For users with motion sensitivity, these effects are all too common.

As developers, we love using motion to make our interfaces feel alive. But when it comes to animation accessibility, we need to be just as thoughtful about who we’re designing for. Great UI isn’t just beautiful—it’s inclusive. And making motion safer doesn’t mean removing it altogether. It just means giving people control.

This guide breaks down what you need to know about motion sensitivity, how to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and how to build user-friendly animation for your projects using CSS, JavaScript, and real-world techniques.

Who’s Affected by Motion—and Why It Matters

Motion sensitivity happens when animations or transitions trigger unpleasant physical reactions. This might include nausea, vertigo, blurry vision, headaches, or even migraines. It’s especially common for people with:
- Vestibular disorders
- Autism spectrum disorder
- ADHD
- Epilepsy
In fact, over 35% of adults experience some kind of vestibular dysfunction by age 40. That’s not a small edge case—it’s a significant part of your user base.

The Trouble With Flashing and Distractions

Animations can also cause cognitive overload. Users with ADHD or processing differences may find it hard to stay focused when elements are constantly moving. Looping carousels or animated background transitions can pull attention away from the main content or calls to action.

And then there’s photosensitive epilepsy. About 3% of people with epilepsy can have seizures triggered by flashing lights—especially red-on-black or high-contrast flickers. That’s why WCAG has strict guidelines around flash frequency.

WCAG and Animation Accessibility: What to Follow

Before diving into the specifics, it’s important to understand that these aren’t arbitrary rules—they exist to protect people. Animation accessibility is a fundamental part of inclusive design, and these guidelines offer a framework that helps you avoid unintentional harm.

Key Guidelines
- 2.2.2 – Pause, Stop, Hide: Any moving content that starts automatically must have a clear way to pause or hide it, unless the motion is essential.
- 2.3.1 – Three Flashes or Below Threshold: Avoid flashing more than 3 times per second.
- 2.3.3 – Animation from Interactions: If your animation happens because someone clicked, scrolled, or hovered—it still needs to be safe and optional.
How to Apply These Guidelines
- Don’t loop animations forever.
- Offer controls to pause or stop motion.
- Never rely on animation alone to convey important info—back it up with text or icons.
Animation accessibility is about making sure motion adds value without harm.

Using CSS to Respect Motion Preferences

What Is @prefers-reduced-motion?

This media query checks whether a user has asked for less motion in their operating system:
```
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  * {
    animation: none !important;
    transition: none !important;
  }
}
```
If users toggle Reduce motion in macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, or Linux, they’ll instantly get a calmer experience.

Design Strategies
- Remove parallax scroll and large translations.
- Swap animated GIFs with a static frame or CSS background-image.
- Tone down fades and slides—transitions shorter than 250 ms are usually fine.
- Provide fallbacks that still communicate state changes (e.g., use color or underline instead of a shake animation to signal “invalid input”).
Giving Users Control With JavaScript

Even if someone’s system doesn’t request reduced motion, they should still have a choice. Here’s a simple example:
```
<button id="toggle-motion">Toggle motion</button>
<script>
  document.getElementById('toggle-motion').addEventListener('click', () => {
    document.body.classList.toggle('reduce-motion');
    localStorage.setItem('reduceMotion', document.body.classList.contains('reduce-motion'));
  });
  // Persist preference between visits
  if (localStorage.getItem('reduceMotion') === 'true') {
    document.body.classList.add('reduce-motion');
  }
</script>
```
Then, in your CSS:
```
.reduce-motion * {
  animation: none !important;
  transition: none !important;
}
```
Let users decide what works for them. Animation accessibility is about empowerment.

Pause on Hover or Interaction

You can also pause motion when someone hovers or focuses:
```
@keyframes spin { to { transform: rotate(360deg); } }
.loader {
  animation: spin 1.5s linear infinite;
}
.loader:hover,
.loader:focus-visible {
  animation-play-state: paused;
}
```
This small touch gives users breathing room without turning off design completely.

Progressive Enhancement: Accessibility First

Start safe, layer on flair. Treat the reduced‑motion version as the baseline and add richer animation only if the user hasn’t opted out. This progressive‑enhancement approach prevents regressions—future devs won’t accidentally forget animation accessibility because the “accessible” state is the default.
```
/* Base styles: minimal motion */
.button {
  transition: background-color 150ms ease-in;
}
/* Only animate if motion is OK */
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference) {
  .button:hover {
    transform: translateY(-2px);
  }
}
```
You can combine media features to catch multiple needs:
```
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) and (prefers-contrast: high) {
  /* Ultra-accessible styles */
}
```
Performance & UX Benefits of Reducing Motion
- Battery & CPU savings on low‑power devices (less layout thrashing, fewer GPU layers).
- A cleaner interface helps all users focus on content and calls to action.
- Lower cognitive load means faster task success—key in e‑commerce checkouts or complex forms.
When stakeholders balk at “turning off the fun stuff,” show how reduced motion often speeds up perceived performance and increases conversions.

Testing for Motion Accessibility

You don’t need to eliminate all animation—you just need to know when and where it matters.

Use Tools Like:
- PEAT (Photosensitive Epilepsy Analysis Tool): Checks flash frequency and contrast against seizure‑safe limits.
- WAVE: Flags continuous animations and missing pause controls.
- Google Lighthouse: Includes audits for @prefers-reduced-motion.
- Manual Device Testing: Turn on Reduce motion in the OS and navigate your site—does anything still move?
Combine automated scans with human walkthroughs—especially for pages heavy on micro‑interactions. Ask testers with vestibular or cognitive disabilities for feedback if possible.

Responsible Animation Is Good UX

Animation accessibility isn’t about banning creativity. It’s about respecting user choice, following WCAG, and providing explicit opt‑ins or opt‑outs. When you honor @prefers-reduced-motion, add site‑level toggles, and keep flashes below seizure thresholds, you deliver the best of both worlds: engaging motion for those who love it and a calm, usable experience for those who don’t.

Need a quick check on your motion strategy—or a deep dive into ADA compliance across your entire front end? Schedule a personalized accessibility briefing with the team at 216digital. We’ll help you uncover hidden risks, refine your animation patterns, and build inclusive experiences that look amazing and feel great for everyone.

Let’s create motion that moves people—in the right way.
Greg McNeil

May 21, 2025

How-to Guides, WCAG Compliance

Accessibility, animation, How-to, motion, WCAG, Web Accessibility
Color Contrast That Pops: Accessibility in Every Shade
Color is one of the most powerful tools in a designer’s toolkit—but without the right contrast, even the most beautiful interface can become unreadable. For users with low vision or color blindness, low contrast isn’t just inconvenient—it can make content completely inaccessible. And while most developers know the basics of accessible design, color contrast often slips through the cracks when brand guidelines or fast-moving deadlines take over.

This article isn’t a beginner’s primer—it’s a hands-on guide for developers who already know what WCAG is but want smarter, more practical ways to apply color contrast in real projects. From testing tools to design techniques to working with brand colors, we’ll cover how to create experiences that look sharp, function well, and work for everyone.

Understanding Color Perception and Its Impact on Accessibility

To build truly inclusive designs, it helps to understand how users perceive color in the first place. The human eye detects color based on hue (the type of color), saturation (how strong it appears), and lightness (how bright or dark it is). This is where the HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) model becomes useful—it mirrors how people actually experience color and helps designers assess contrast more accurately.

Now, pair that with accessibility data. Around 300 million people worldwide live with color blindness, and another 253 million have low vision. That’s not a small edge case—it’s a significant portion of your audience. For these users, poor color contrast can turn buttons, labels, and links into frustrating puzzles. A green button on a gray background might seem fine to a fully sighted user, but it can disappear entirely for someone with red-green color deficiency.

By considering how color vision deficiencies affect perception, developers can make smarter choices—ones that improve usability for everyone without drastically changing their design.

WCAG Guidelines on Color Contrast

To guide these decisions, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) lay out specific requirements. For Level AA compliance, normal text must have a color contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1. Large text—defined as 18pt or 14pt bold—can meet a slightly lower bar of 3:1. If you’re aiming for AAA (which is more stringent), the numbers jump to 7:1 and 4.5:1, respectively.

But contrast isn’t just about text. It also applies to non-text elements like icons, buttons, graphs, and interactive controls. These need to be distinguishable too, especially for users navigating with limited vision or screen magnifiers.

That said, not everything falls under these rules. Logos and purely decorative graphics are exempt. This makes room for brand expression, but it also challenges teams to strike the right balance: How do you honor brand colors without sacrificing clarity? The good news is that small adjustments can go a long way.

Tools and Techniques for Evaluating Color Contrast

So how do you check if your contrast choices meet the mark? Fortunately, there’s a wide range of tools designed to make this easy—no guesswork required.

Online contrast checkers are a great place to start:
- WebAIM Contrast Checker is fast and simple—just plug in your colors and get a pass/fail result.
- TPGi’s Colour Contrast Analyser lets you test live screen elements with an eyedropper tool.
- Coolors Contrast Checker is especially helpful when working within a palette—it gives instant feedback as you test combinations.
To take your testing further, browser extensions can simulate what your site looks like to users with different types of color blindness:
- Colorblindly and Dalton show you how your design holds up for users with vision deficiencies.
- Color Enhancer for Chrome allows you to customize and tweak colors directly in the browser.
For those who prefer working within browser developer tools, Chrome DevTools offers built-in accessibility checks. You can inspect elements, see real-time color contrast ratios, and even simulate vision impairments. Pair that with media queries like @prefers-color-scheme or @prefers-contrast, and you’ll be ready to serve more inclusive experiences automatically—based on a user’s own system settings.

Best Practices for Implementing Accessible Color Contrast

Once you’ve got the right tools, the next step is applying best practices to your design and development process.

Start by designing with accessibility in mind from the beginning. Don’t rely on color alone to convey meaning. Pair colors with icons, patterns, or text labels—so if a user can’t see the red “error” outline, they can still read the “required field” message.

Next, build testing into your workflow. Just like you check for responsive breakpoints or load time, checking for color contrast should be routine. Use automated tests, then follow up with human feedback to catch edge cases tools might miss.

Also, remember to document your choices. A clear, shared record of approved color combinations and contrast ratios will help your team stay consistent across projects. Whether it’s a design system in Figma or internal guidelines in Notion, this documentation keeps accessibility top of mind for everyone involved.

The Role of Browser Extensions in User Accessibility

While developers work hard to build accessible designs, many users also rely on their own tools to improve visibility. Browser extensions like Colorblindly and Dalton allow users to adjust or simulate colors in a way that meets their personal needs.

It’s important to remember that just because users can adjust colors, doesn’t mean developers shouldn’t strive for accessible defaults. By ensuring strong color contrast from the start, you make life easier for everyone—and reduce the need for users to rely on workarounds.

Plus, by understanding how these tools work, developers can better anticipate what users experience and design with greater empathy.

Balancing Brand Identity with Accessibility

Now comes the tough part—color contrast often butts heads with brand design. Changing a brand’s color palette can feel like touching sacred ground. But here’s the thing: contrast issues can usually be fixed with minor adjustments.

Sometimes it’s as easy as tweaking brightness or adding a subtle border. Instead of throwing out your palette, consider enhancing it. You might slightly darken a background color, lighten the text, or add supporting visuals that boost readability. Your core colors stay intact—just optimized for accessibility.

And don’t worry—accessibility lawsuits are rarely about brand color alone. They’re about whether people can actually use your site. Keeping that goal in focus will help guide the right compromises.

Final Shades of Wisdom

At its core, color contrast is about communication. It makes your message easier to read, your interface easier to use, and your site more welcoming to everyone—regardless of how they see the world.

With a solid grasp of the WCAG guidelines, the right tools in your toolkit, and smart design strategies, it’s entirely possible to meet accessibility goals without sacrificing visual style. Make contrast checks part of your process, revisit your palette with intention, and bring your team along with documentation and testing habits.

And if you’re not sure where to start or want a second opinion, schedule a quick ADA compliance briefing with 216digital. We’ll help you uncover any color contrast issues hiding in plain sight—and map out a path toward a more inclusive, accessible web.
Greg McNeil

May 20, 2025

How-to Guides, WCAG Compliance

Accessibility, color contrast, WCAG, WCAG 2.1, WCAG Compliance, WCAG conformance, Web Accessibility
Build Accessible Iframes That Work for Everyone
Frames have a messy reputation in web accessibility. Classic <frameset> and <frame> elements broke layouts, confused screen readers, and were finally deprecated in HTML5. Their modern successor—the humble <iframe>—is still very much alive, powering everything from video embeds to checkout widgets. Yet accessible iframes can introduce their own barriers when titles are missing, keyboard focus gets trapped, or content can’t resize.

If you care about delivering inclusive, standards‑compliant code, you don’t have to ditch iframes altogether—you just need to implement them thoughtfully. This guide walks you through the evolution of frames, the accessibility pitfalls of iframes, and the best practices that help every user interact with embedded content smoothly.

Why Accessibility Still Matters for Embedded Content

Accessible design is good design. Clear labeling, keyboard‑friendly navigation, and responsive layouts benefit everyone—especially shoppers using screen readers, people who enlarge fonts, or users browsing on small devices. Taking a little extra time to make your accessible iframes also reduces legal risk and improves SEO by keeping your markup clean and semantic. In short: a well‑built iframe keeps users engaged and protects your brand.

A Quick History of Frames (and Why They Were Retired)

In the late 1990s, developers used <frameset> and <frame> to split a browser window into scrollable panes. Cool at the time—frustrating in practice. Search engines struggled to index framed sites, URLs didn’t reflect the visible page, and assistive technologies couldn’t provide meaningful navigation cues. By the time HTML5 rolled around, frames were officially removed from the specification.

Where Iframes Fit Today

The <iframe> element solved many of the old headaches by embedding external documents inside the current page without breaking browser history or URLs. Developers rely on iframes for:
- Video and audio players
- Social media timelines
- Interactive maps
- Payment widgets
- Analytics dashboards
While the element itself is valid in HTML5, browser and assistive‑tech support varies depending on how you configure it. Screen readers, for example, announce the title of an iframe, then treat its contents as part of the main document—so a poorly labeled or keyboard‑unfriendly iframe becomes an instant roadblock.

Best Practices for Accessible Iframes

Give Every Iframe a Descriptive Title

Screen readers announce the title attribute before loading iframe content. A short, meaningful label tells users what to expect and helps them decide whether to enter the frame.
```
<iframe
  src="product-demo.html"
  title= "Product Demonstration Video">
</iframe>
```
This small addition satisfies WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 4.1.2, which requires that every interactive element have a programmatically determinable name and role.

Keep Keyboard Navigation Intuitive

Users should be able to tab into an iframe, move through its interactive elements, and tab out without getting trapped. Test with only your keyboard:
1. Press Tab until focus enters the iframe.
2. Navigate its internal controls with Tab, Shift + Tab, and arrow keys.
3. Confirm you can exit the iframe and continue through the rest of the page.
Avoid blanket tabindex= "-1" values unless you intentionally want to remove an element from the tab order. If the embedded content comes from a third party, advocate for keyboard support or consider a different provider.

Maintain a Logical Heading Structure

Many screen‑reader users jump by headings. If your main page begins with <h1> then <h2>, the iframe shouldn’t suddenly start with another <h1>—that’s like slipping a spare title page into a novel. Match the heading level to the surrounding hierarchy and keep it consistent:
```

<h2>Customer Reviews</h2>
<iframe
  src= "reviews.html"
  title= "Latest Customer Reviews">
</iframe>

<h3 id="reviews-heading">Latest Customer Reviews</h3>
```
Let the Browser Handle Scrolling

Setting scrolling="no" or hiding overflow might make your layout tidier, but it hurts users who zoom text or rely on larger fonts. Leave scrolling to the browser unless you have a specific, accessible iframes alternative.

Embrace Responsive Iframes

Hard‑coded widths and heights break on small screens and large zoom levels. Use relative units or CSS that scales with its container:
```
<iframe
  src="store-locator.html"
  title= "Store Locator Map"
  style="width: 100%; height: 400px; border: 0;">
</iframe>
```
If you need a flexible height for dynamic content, explore the resize event or IntersectionObserver to adjust height programmatically—just be sure any script changes don’t steal keyboard focus.

Hide Decorative or Redundant Iframes

Sometimes you embed content that adds visual flair but no real information—say, a decorative animation. In that case, keep it out of the accessibility tree with aria-hidden= "true":
```
<iframe
  src="confetti-animation.html"
  title= "Decorative animation"
  aria-hidden= "true">
</iframe>
```
Hidden frames remain in the DOM for sighted users but won’t distract assistive‑tech users with irrelevant announcements.

When to Skip Accessible Iframes Altogether

Modern CSS and JavaScript let you load external content without the iframe overhead. Consider:
- Server‑side includes to pull fragments directly into your HTML.
- fetch() + DOM injection for dynamic widgets (with proper sanitization).
- Progressive Web App patterns for seamless, app‑like experiences.
These approaches often improve SEO, simplify styling, and remove the focus‑management headaches that come with nested browsing contexts.

Testing Your Work

Automated scanners like Lighthouse and WAVE spot missing titles, keyboard traps, and contrast issues quickly. But true confidence comes from hands‑on tests:
1. Screen reader run‑through — Use NVDA on Windows or VoiceOver on macOS. Listen for the iframe title, navigate inside, then move back out.
2. Keyboard‑only tour — Unplug your mouse. Can you tab to every control, activate it, and proceed?
3. Zoom and reflow — Increase text size to 200 percent or zoom the browser. Does the iframe stay readable and scrollable?
If something feels awkward or blocks progress, iterate until the experience is as smooth as the rest of your site.

Wrapping Up

Accessible iframes aren’t about flashy code—they’re about giving every visitor a clear path to your content:
- Describe each iframe with a short, helpful title.
- Ensure keyboard users can enter, navigate, and exit effortlessly.
- Keep heading levels logical and scrolling natural.
- Use responsive sizing and hide purely decorative frames.
- Test with real assistive technology and people whenever possible.
Ready to audit your site’s iframes—or any other accessibility concern? 216digital can help. Schedule an ADA‑compliance briefing with our team, and let’s make sure every part of your web experience works for everyone who lands on it.

Because inclusive code isn’t a luxury—it’s the standard today’s web deserves.
Greg McNeil

May 19, 2025

How-to Guides

Accessibility, How-to, iframe, videos and audio content, Website Accessibility
Mobile Form Accessibility: Don’t Leave Users Behind
Think about how often you reach for your phone during the day—checking messages, ordering lunch, paying bills, or dashing through a quick form. Now picture each tap, swipe, and pinch becoming a chore because the form wasn’t built with you in mind.Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happens when mobile form accessibility is overlooked for users who rely on screen readers. A few missteps can turn routine tasks into roadblocks. Fixing those gaps keeps everyone’s day moving smoothly—and yes, it makes your product look a whole lot better, too.

As developers, we’re in a sweet spot to clear those hurdles. Instead of ticking boxes on an accessibility checklist, let’s swap ideas and code snippets that make forms genuinely easy to use. Think of this guide as one dev handing a helpful note to another—no lecture, just practical tips that work in the real world.

The Real Challenge of Mobile Accessibility

Roughly 90 percent of screen-reader users browse the web primarily on phones. Yet mobile form accessibility still slips past many reviews. Small oversights—poorly labeled fields, keyboards that bury inputs—can shut people out of shopping carts or log-in screens. Sure, standards like WCAG 2.2 and the European Accessibility Act (EAA) are important, but the endgame is simpler: make everyday online chores painless for everyone.

Common Barriers with Mobile Form Accessibility

So, what trips us up when we build (or tune-up) a mobile form? Here are the heavy hitters that screen-reader users run into—and how to dodge them.

Invisible Text Fields

Fields can look fine on the surface yet be missing their behind-the-scenes links. When labels and inputs aren’t wired together in code, a screen reader can’t announce them—and the user can’t fill them out.

Quick fix:
```
<label for="email">Email Address</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email">
```
Skip placeholder-only labels or fancy <div> stand-ins. Semantic HTML or precise ARIA labels keep everything on the radar.

Keyboard Blocking Form Fields

We’ve all watched the on-screen keyboard sail up and hide half the page. For screen-reader users, that’s a full stop.

A simple JavaScript nudge:
```
window.addEventListener('resize', () => {
  document.activeElement.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth' });
});
```
Let the layout flex so active inputs stay visible, and avoid fixed-position elements that trap content under the keyboard.

Unexpected Focus Shifts

Nothing’s more disorienting than the cursor jumping to a random field—or disappearing altogether—mid-form. Auto-focus tricks or live-updating content can make matters worse.

Rules of thumb:
- Only auto-focus when it truly helps.
- Deep dynamic changes to a minimum while someone is typing.
- Always leave users sure of their spot in the form.
Practical Steps to Improve Mobile Form Accessibility

Now that we’ve walked through the most common pitfalls, let’s talk solutions. Fixing mobile form accessibility doesn’t always mean starting from scratch—small, thoughtful adjustments can make a big difference. The goal here isn’t perfection on paper; it’s creating an experience that works reliably for real people on real devices. Below are key practices that help bring your forms up to speed.

Proper Labeling Is Crucial

Each form field should have a clear, programmatic label. Screen readers depend on these labels to describe inputs accurately. Relying solely on visual styling or placeholder text often leads to confusion or missed information. Whenever possible, use semantic HTML elements like <label> to ensure clarity and consistency.

Design with Keyboard Visibility in Mind

If the keyboard hides your input field, you’re forcing users to guess where they are. This isn’t just frustrating—it can stop someone from completing the form entirely. Design responsively to account for different screen sizes and input methods. Test with your device’s keyboard visible and active. Elements should remain fully accessible without awkward scrolling or zooming.

Maintain a Logical Navigation Order

Users often navigate mobile forms using swipe gestures or the Tab key with external keyboards. If your form jumps from field to field out of order—or skips elements entirely—you’ve just introduced an unnecessary obstacle. Use logical DOM ordering and avoid layout tricks that confuse the natural tab order.

Use Semantic HTML First, ARIA Thoughtfully

Native HTML elements offer built-in accessibility that ARIA can’t always replicate. For example, a standard <button> is more robust and predictable than a <div> with role= "button". Reach for ARIA only when native elements fall short, and always test thoroughly to ensure you’re enhancing, not complicating, the experience.

Real-Device Testing Is Essential

It’s tempting to rely on automated audits or browser tools alone, but they can’t catch everything. Use screen readers like VoiceOver (iOS) or TalkBack (Android) on physical devices to experience your form the way your users do. Listen closely—do labels get announced properly? Does focus land where it should? Manual testing reveals the gaps no automated tool can catch.

Don’t Forget About Error Messaging

Accessible forms don’t just help users fill in the blanks—they help users recover from mistakes. Validation errors should be announced clearly and immediately after the user interacts with a field. Use ARIA live regions or focus management to draw attention to problems, and provide guidance that’s easy to understand and act on.

Support Multiple Interaction Modes

Not everyone uses a touchscreen the same way. Some rely on voice control, others on external keyboards or assistive switch devices. Design and test with multiple interaction styles in mind. What works great with a finger tap might break down when using voice commands or swiping with a screen reader.

Taken together, these practices do more than check boxes—they create forms that feel intuitive, responsive, and respectful to all users. And as accessibility standards continue to evolve, these foundational steps help future-proof your code while building trust with your audience.

Building Mobile Form Accessibility Into Your Workflow

As developers, we have a real opportunity to do something meaningful. We can move past the minimum and start building digital experiences that work for everyone, not just the majority. It doesn’t require magic—just intention, testing, and a willingness to see the interface through someone else’s eyes.

If you’re serious about creating mobile forms that aren’t just technically compliant but actually usable for every user, it’s time to dig deeper. Start testing, keep learning, and if you want an experienced partner to help guide the process, schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital. We’re here to support your journey toward smarter, kinder, and more inclusive design—one tap at a time.
Greg McNeil

May 16, 2025

How-to Guides

Accessibility, accessible forms, forms, How-to, mobile accessibility, Web Accessibility, Website Accessibility

Is Manual Accessibility Testing Worth the Time?

Deadlines move fast. Automated accessibility tools promise faster. It’s no surprise many dev teams lean on them—especially when stakeholders are asking, “Are we compliant yet?” Tools like WAVE and Lighthouse give quick answers, clean reports, and a reassuring sense of progress.

But here’s the part too many teams miss: automated testing only tells part of the story. The code might check out, but what about the actual experience? Can someone using a screen reader complete a purchase? Can a keyboard user navigate a modal without getting stuck? These are the kinds of issues that don’t show up in automated scans—but absolutely show up in real life.

If your goal is to build a product that’s not just technically compliant, but genuinely usable and defensible, manual accessibility testing needs to be part of the process. It’s the only way to uncover what automation can’t: nuance, clarity, and usability in the real world.

In this article, we’ll unpack the value of manual testing, where automated tools fall short, and how a smart hybrid approach gives you better results—and better protection.

What Is Manual Accessibility Testing?

Manual accessibility testing is the hands-on process of evaluating a digital product’s usability for people with disabilities—without relying solely on software. This might include:

Navigating with only a keyboard
Using a screen reader like NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver
Checking for color contrast by eye
Reviewing focus states and logical tab order
Testing real-world use cases (like filling out a form or completing a checkout process)

The goal is to simulate the experience of actual users with assistive technologies and identify barriers beyond code compliance.

The Appeal (and Limits) of Automated Testing

Automated accessibility tools like Lighthouse and WAVE have transformed developers’ identification of issues. They quickly scan code for missing alt text, incorrect ARIA roles, form labeling issues, and other violations of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Automated testing is fast and repeatable. It’s ideal for:

Initial scans during development
Catching basic syntax errors
Setting up CI/CD integration for ongoing testing
Flagging regressions after code updates

But here’s the catch: automation can only detect around 25-35% of accessibility issues. The rest requires human judgment.

What Automated Tools Can’t Catch

Despite their efficiency, automated tools lack the context and empathy of human testing. Here’s what they consistently miss:

Keyboard Trap Detection: Tools may confirm that an element is focusable, but they won’t always detect when users get stuck in modal dialogs or custom components without a proper way to escape.
Screen Reader Usability: Only a human can determine if the screen reader output is logical, coherent, and meaningful in context. Just because a screen reader reads something doesn’t mean it makes sense to the user.
Visual Focus Indicators: Automated checkers might verify the presence of a focus style, but they can’t confirm if it’s visible or intuitive in a real-world interface.
Form Instructions and Error Messages: Does the screen reader clearly announce the error? Are instructions available before a user makes a mistake? Automation doesn’t evaluate the usability of the experience.
Color Contrast in Context: A contrast checker might say a color combination passes WCAG, but it doesn’t judge readability in real UI conditions (like against busy background images or gradients).
Meaningful Link Text: Tools can flag vague text like “click here,” but they don’t understand if a link in a sentence conveys context when read out of order.
Cognitive Load and Ease of Use: Only a human can evaluate whether a layout or interaction is intuitive for users with cognitive disabilities or limited dexterity.

In short, automation checks the code; manual accessibility testing checks the experience.

Why a Hybrid Approach Works Best

The smartest accessibility strategies combine the speed of automation with the nuance of manual testing. Here’s how they complement each other:

Task	Best Method	Why
Catch missing alt attributes	Automated	Fast and reliable for simple HTML validation
Ensure meaningful alt descriptions	Manual	Context is required for accuracy
Validate keyboard navigation	Manual	Humans can detect trap states, confusing order
Check color contrast ratios	Automated	Useful for quick scanning
Judge visual clarity of focus states	Manual	Only human vision can determine visibility
Spot WCAG syntax violations	Automated	Efficient, especially with CI/CD tools
Confirm screen reader compatibility	Manual	Required for usability assurance
Test form completion and feedback	Manual	Critical for real-world workflows

This hybrid approach is not only more accurate—it’s also more defensible in legal contexts. Suppose you’re remediating a site for ADA compliance or preparing for WCAG conformance claims. In that case, you need evidence that your digital experience has been tested by real users or testers simulating those users.

Real-World Example: Checkout Accessibility

Let’s say you’re working on an e-commerce site. An automated test might scan your cart and checkout pages and report:

100% form elements are labeled
Contrast ratios are within limits
No ARIA roles are missing

Looks good.

But a manual tester might uncover:

The shipping address form doesn’t announce errors with a screen reader
The “Apply Coupon” button can’t be reached with the keyboard alone
The payment section’s field focus jumps around unexpectedly
The screen reader reads the price table in a confusing order

These are real barriers that impact sales—and wouldn’t be flagged by automation.

Manual Accessibility Testing Doesn’t Have to Be Time-Consuming

Yes, manual testing takes time. But it doesn’t have to grind your project to a halt.

Here’s how teams can streamline the process:

Integrate manual accessibility testing in sprints. Assign accessibility checks to QA or dev team members alongside other functional testing.
Use assistive tech simulators early. Even five minutes with VoiceOver or NVDA on a new feature can reveal major issues.
Focus on high-impact areas. Prioritize navigation, forms, modals, and anything tied to conversions or essential tasks.
Document patterns. Once you’ve tested common components (like dropdowns, date pickers, etc.), reuse them instead of rebuilding.

And most importantly—train your team. A developer with basic screen reader skills and a solid understanding of WCAG can identify more issues in five minutes than a tool might catch in five hours.

The Long-Term Payoff

Manual accessibility testing isn’t just about checking a compliance box—it’s about protecting your users, your brand, and your bottom line.

Benefits of a hybrid testing strategy include:

Fewer false positives and rework
Better user experience for everyone
Reduced legal risk and stronger compliance
Improved SEO and discoverability
Greater confidence in product quality

When teams understand what to test, how to test it, and why it matters, accessibility becomes a natural part of the development workflow—not an afterthought.

Bridging the Gap Between Code and Experience

So—is manual accessibility testing worth it?

Without question. Automated tools are great for speed, consistency, and catching the basics, but they can’t see the experience through a user’s eyes. Manual accessibility testing brings in that essential layer of human judgment, helping your team uncover issues that really affect usability—especially for people navigating with assistive technologies.

When you pair automation with real-world testing, you’re not just building a site that passes checks—you’re creating something that works better for everyone. It’s a smarter, more resilient way to approach accessibility, especially as legal expectations grow and user expectations rise even faster.

Curious what that could look like for your team? Schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital. We’ll walk you through our Phase 2 real-world remediation services—designed to help you go beyond code checks and build accessibility that holds up in practice, not just on paper.

Greg McNeil

May 15, 2025

Testing & Remediation

Accessibility, Accessibility Remediation, Accessibility testing, manual audit, Manual Testing, Web Accessibility, Web Accessibility Remediation

Is WCAG Certification Possible?
Many businesses are on the hunt for something called “WCAG certification”—a stamp of approval to show their site is accessible. But is that even a real thing?

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the widely accepted standard for creating accessible digital content. These guidelines help ensure websites, apps, and digital tools work for everyone—including people with disabilities. But here’s the catch: there’s no such thing as official WCAG certification. That doesn’t mean you’re out of luck, though.

In this article, we’ll unpack what WCAG really is, why it matters, and what practical steps you can take to prove your accessibility commitment—without chasing a non-existent certificate.

What Is WCAG — and Why It Matters

WCAG is a set of accessibility guidelines created by a group called the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). It’s been updated over the years—versions 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2 are already in use, and a new draft version (WCAG 3.0) is in the works.

The guidelines are built on four main principles:
- Perceivable: Can people see, hear, or otherwise access your content?
- Operable: Can users interact with it, like using a keyboard or voice commands?
- Understandable: Is your site’s content and layout easy to follow?
- Robust: Will your site work across different devices, browsers, and assistive tech?
These principles help you build a better experience for everyone. And with around 1 in 4 Americans living with a disability, accessibility isn’t a niche issue—it’s a core part of serving your audience.

Can You Get WCAG Certified? (No — and Here’s Why)

Let’s make it simple: WCAG certification does not exist in any official form. The W3C—the organization behind WCAG—doesn’t issue certificates to websites or developers. So if someone tells you they can give you a WCAG certificate, that’s a red flag.

Here’s what does exist:
- WCAG Conformance: This means your website meets specific WCAG success criteria.
- Audit Reports: Accessibility experts can review your site and document its strengths and weaknesses.
- Professional Credentials: Individuals can take training and exams to show they understand accessibility standards.
What you can’t get is an “official” WCAG certification from any governing body. The W3C has actually decided not to create a certification program at all, stating that a formal seal could do more harm than good. So any so-called “WCAG certificate” should be treated carefully—think of it more as “we followed WCAG and have evidence” rather than a license or badge.

Why the Idea of Certification Still Matters

Even though WCAG certification isn’t real, the need to show good faith—especially during legal challenges—is very real.

If your site faces an ADA accessibility complaint, a detailed audit report or a public accessibility statement can help. It won’t guarantee immunity, but it may:
- Shorten legal negotiations
- Lower settlement demands
- Show that you’re actively working on improvements
Most lawsuits under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) focus on fixing the problem (not financial damages at the federal level), but state laws like California’s Unruh Act can make things much more expensive. In some cases, businesses may face penalties of $4,000 per violation—per user session.

Many businesses choose to settle accessibility lawsuits rather than fight in court, with settlements typically ranging from $5,000 to $20,000, and sometimes far more. Proactively documenting your WCAG conformance can reduce those risks and costs.

What You Can Get Instead: Real Accessibility Certifications

While your website can’t be WCAG certified, you or your team can earn credentials that demonstrate knowledge of WCAG and broader accessibility concepts. These are well-respected in the field:
- CPACC – Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies
  Great for content creators, marketers, and generalists. Covers topics like disability types, legal basics, and WCAG principles.
- WAS – Web Accessibility Specialist
  Tailored for developers and UX designers. Dives deep into the technical side: semantic HTML, ARIA, testing practices.
- CPWA – Certified Professional in Web Accessibility
  Combines both CPACC and WAS certifications. Ideal for accessibility leads or those overseeing compliance efforts.
These certifications don’t claim to be WCAG certification, but they do show your commitment to accessibility expertise.

Real Accessibility Is About Practical Action

Certifications help—but they’re not a shortcut. To build and maintain an accessible site, focus on practical, ongoing steps that create real impact.

Run Regular Accessibility Audits

You can use tools like WAVE or Lighthouse, but manual testing is essential too. Look for issues like missing labels, broken keyboard navigation, or poor heading structure. Save your reports as documentation in case questions arise later.

Fix High-Impact Issues First

Some problems—like missing alt text or contrast issues—pose bigger risks than others. Prioritize known trouble spots.

Bake Accessibility Into Development

Make accessibility part of your everyday workflow, not something you tackle at the end. Small habits make a big difference.

Publish a Public Statement

Adding an accessibility statement to your website builds trust and shows you’re being transparent and proactive.

Train Your Content Team

Every upload matters. A well-meaning update can unintentionally introduce accessibility problems—so make sure everyone’s equipped to do their part.

Should You Be Chasing WCAG Certification?

Not exactly. The smarter question is: how do you prove that your site meets WCAG standards?

Here’s how to show your work:
- Encourage team members to earn real accessibility credentials like CPACC or WAS.
- Hire an expert to audit your site and issue a detailed report.
- Post an accessibility statement on your site that outlines your efforts and future plans.
- Monitor your site and run regular checks to ensure improvements are sustained.
And remember: legal risk is growing. Thousands of lawsuits were filed in the past year alone over inaccessible websites. Many target websites that lack basic WCAG conformance.

Accessibility Partners Can Make the Difference

Trying to juggle deadlines, legacy code, and legal exposure? Outside help can give you the lift you need. Experienced accessibility partners don’t just run audits—they help you build a sustainable, legally defensible program.

What expert partners can offer:
- Full audits, including real-user testing
- Help fixing accessibility issues
- Ongoing monitoring to catch new problems
- Role-specific training for devs, designers, and content teams
And a key difference? The right partner will never promise fake WCAG certification. They’ll help you build real results.

You Don’t Need a WCAG Certificate—You Need a Plan

The idea of WCAG certification sounds comforting—but it’s not real. What is real? Earning your users’ trust by making your site work for everyone.

When you show that you’ve taken the right steps—training, audits, public transparency—you don’t need a certificate. You’ve already proven your commitment.

Ready to show your commitment to accessibility the right way?
Schedule an ADA accessibility briefing with 216digital and see how we help teams maintain long-term WCAG conformance and build more inclusive digital experiences.
Greg McNeil

May 14, 2025

Web Accessibility Training

Accessibility, WCAG, WCAG Certification, WCAG Compliance, Web Accessibility, web developers, web development
Don’t Be Fooled by False Positives in Accessibility
Imagine you’re scanning through an accessibility report when it flags a purely decorative image for missing alt text. You pause and double-check the code—aria-hidden= "true" is clearly set—yet the tool insists it’s an issue. In moments like these, you’re dealing with false positives.

When left unchecked, false positives can waste hours of development time, drain your budget, and leave real accessibility problems hidden beneath noise. For developers who regularly rely on automated accessibility testing, learning to recognize and reduce these inaccuracies is as essential as fixing actual accessibility barriers.

What a False Positive Really Is

Simply put, false positives occur when a testing tool incorrectly marks compliant content as inaccessible, even though it aligns perfectly with standards like WCAG. These mistaken alerts often create confusion and lead teams to fix things that aren’t broken—sometimes at the expense of overlooking real issues.

So, why do they happen? Usually, false positives stem from three common causes:
- Limited context: Automated tools understand code but not intent. Elements involving dynamic JavaScript or custom user settings can confuse them, triggering inaccurate alerts. For example, a modal loaded via JavaScript might be marked as inaccessible until it’s fully rendered, even if it meets all WCAG requirements when interactive.
- Overly cautious rules: Some tools are intentionally strict, flagging anything remotely questionable to avoid missing genuine issues. While well-intentioned, this can lead to excessive alerts. Developers end up treating these tools like overprotective smoke alarms—loud, constant, and sometimes hard to trust.
- Varied coding practices: Custom components or unconventional markup patterns, common in modern front-end workflows, often mislead algorithms expecting textbook HTML. Accessibility implemented through ARIA roles or JavaScript event handlers may trip up tools that expect static HTML structures.
Most developers have encountered these scenarios in practice: decorative icons labeled as “critical issues,” contrast alerts ignoring user-selected dark modes, or dynamic form elements incorrectly flagged for missing labels. Each instance represents the broader problem—tools missing the bigger picture.

The Hidden Costs of False Positives

When false positives become part of your day-to-day workflow, the cost isn’t just inconvenience—it’s real impact on time, trust, and outcomes.

Time and Budget Drain

Chasing down false positives can quickly become a costly distraction. Imagine your team spends hours rewriting alt text for images that never needed it. Those same resources could have resolved genuine issues or shipped new features, improving your product instead of spinning its wheels. For larger teams or enterprise projects, these hours quickly compound into days—adding up to measurable delays in delivery and inflated budgets.

This resource drain can be particularly painful during audits or compliance deadlines when teams are working under pressure. Every misfire takes attention away from what truly matters: building inclusive digital experiences for real users.

Erosion of Trust in Tools

Repeated inaccurate alerts erode confidence in accessibility tools. Developers may grow skeptical, dismissing genuine issues as “probably another false positive.” This skepticism can cause real accessibility problems to slip through unnoticed, undermining the very purpose of using these tools.

Once the trust is gone, so is the motivation to use these tools proactively. Instead of integrating accessibility checks early and often, teams may push them off to the final stages—or abandon them altogether. That’s a slippery slope that compromises both compliance and user experience.

Legal and Reputational Risks

Perhaps most serious of all, excessive false positives can mask true accessibility problems. If your team assumes a website is compliant based on misleading tool reports, users could face unexpected barriers. That scenario leaves your organization vulnerable to lawsuits, fines, and damage to brand reputation.

It’s a dangerous combination: a dashboard showing 100% compliance while screen reader users struggle to navigate key interactions. In the worst-case scenario, this could lead to legal action under ADA, Section 508, or similar laws depending on your location or industry.

Practical Steps to Minimize False Positives

It’s not about choosing between automation and accuracy—it’s about striking a balance. Here are a few strategies that can help:

Choose Tools Carefully

Accuracy is crucial. Opt for tools known to minimize false positives—look at reviews, user communities, and real-world feedback. Tools that offer detailed explanations for each issue help developers evaluate the context instead of blindly applying changes. Bonus points for tools that integrate smoothly into your CI/CD pipeline or Git workflows, allowing developers to spot and triage issues earlier in the process.

Combine Automated Testing with Manual Checks

Automation is valuable, but humans bring the necessary context. Regular manual reviews, particularly with real assistive technologies like screen readers or keyboard-only navigation, confirm whether flagged issues are real or simply more false positives. This human element provides critical insights into actual user experiences that no machine can replicate on its own.

Pairing automated scans with periodic expert reviews ensures you don’t end up trusting the scanner more than the people you’re building for.

Educate and Empower Your Team

Providing training ensures everyone knows what a genuine accessibility issue looks like. Regular team briefings, quick reference guides, or lunch-and-learn sessions can equip developers and QA specialists to confidently distinguish true issues from false positives during daily workflows.

It also helps to document commonly misflagged elements in your internal dev wiki or design system docs. That way, developers don’t waste time rediscovering the same conclusions again and again.

Shift Accessibility Testing Left

Accessibility testing should be a routine practice, integrated into every development phase—right alongside linting, unit testing, and code reviews. Early checks catch issues and limit the spread of false positives throughout your codebase.

This shift-left approach reduces last-minute panic before launches and promotes a culture where accessibility is part of the conversation from the start. Teams that embed these habits often find they’re able to respond to flagged issues faster and with greater confidence.

Engage Accessibility Specialists

Sometimes, complex implementations or large-scale projects need specialized insight. Accessibility experts can fine-tune automated testing parameters, spot challenging edge cases, and provide tailored recommendations. Their guidance helps reduce false positives and sets your project on a sustainable path forward.

Even a short-term partnership or audit can clarify which alerts deserve attention and which are tool-generated noise. Think of it like calling in an electrician to check wiring behind the walls—some things are better seen with trained eyes.

A True Positive Path Forward

False positives in accessibility testing aren’t just minor annoyances—they cost valuable resources, erode trust, and potentially expose your site to compliance risks. Left unchecked, they can derail good intentions and cause more confusion than clarity. But with the right balance of tools, process, and people, they don’t have to.

Start by picking better tools, pairing them with manual validation, and investing in your team’s knowledge. Make accessibility part of your workflow—not just a checkbox at the end. And when needed, bring in expert support to cut through the noise.

Want to take your accessibility efforts to the next level? Schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital. Our team will help you build a sustainable, practical strategy for achieving real-world accessibility and staying ahead of compliance requirements.
Greg McNeil

May 13, 2025

Testing & Remediation

Accessibility, Accessibility Remediation, false positives, Web Accessibility Remediation, web developers, web development, Website Accessibility

Understanding ARIA in HTML

ARIA Comprises Three Key Components

ARIA Roles – Clearly Defining Element Purpose

Common Role Categories

ARIA States and Properties – Capturing Dynamic Interactivity

Example: Expandable Menu

Example: Labeled Input

ARIA in Mobile Web Development – Best Practices

Mobile Considerations

Best Practices

Common Pitfalls

ARIA and WCAG – Achieving Accessibility Standards

WCAG Principles Supported by ARIA

Testing ARIA Implementations – Tools and Techniques

Recommended Tools

Testing Strategies

ARIA You Ready for Accessibility?

Frost v. Lion Brand Yarn Company Case

Court Decision and ADA Title III Interpretation

Legal Reasoning Behind ADA Title III Decision

Broader Implications of ADA Title III in Digital Accessibility

The Legal Shift Toward Website Accessibility Under ADA Title III

Actionable Steps for Compliance with ADA Title III

Conduct Accessibility Audits

Implement WCAG Guidelines

Train Development Teams

Engage Users with Disabilities

Maintain Ongoing Compliance

Implications of ADA Title III for Businesses

The Time to Act is Now

The Importance of Website Legal Compliance

The Rules Are Constantly Evolving

Key Areas of Website Legal Compliance

Data Privacy & Protection

Where to Start

Accessibility

Meeting Technical Standards

Implementation: Turning Website Legal Compliance Into Culture

Run an Audit

Update Your Policies

Train Your Team

Maintain Ongoing Vigilance

Feature an Accessibility Statement

Future-Proof Your Website

Who’s Affected by Motion—and Why It Matters

The Trouble With Flashing and Distractions

WCAG and Animation Accessibility: What to Follow

Key Guidelines

How to Apply These Guidelines

Using CSS to Respect Motion Preferences

What Is @prefers-reduced-motion?

Design Strategies

Giving Users Control With JavaScript

Pause on Hover or Interaction

Progressive Enhancement: Accessibility First

Performance & UX Benefits of Reducing Motion

Testing for Motion Accessibility

Responsible Animation Is Good UX

Understanding Color Perception and Its Impact on Accessibility

WCAG Guidelines on Color Contrast

Tools and Techniques for Evaluating Color Contrast

Best Practices for Implementing Accessible Color Contrast

The Role of Browser Extensions in User Accessibility

Balancing Brand Identity with Accessibility

Final Shades of Wisdom

Why Accessibility Still Matters for Embedded Content

A Quick History of Frames (and Why They Were Retired)

Where Iframes Fit Today

Best Practices for Accessible Iframes

Give Every Iframe a Descriptive Title

Keep Keyboard Navigation Intuitive

Maintain a Logical Heading Structure

Let the Browser Handle Scrolling

Embrace Responsive Iframes

Hide Decorative or Redundant Iframes

When to Skip Accessible Iframes Altogether

Testing Your Work

Wrapping Up

The Real Challenge of Mobile Accessibility

Common Barriers with Mobile Form Accessibility

What Is `@prefers-reduced-motion`?

Performance & UX Benefits of Reducing Motion