Web Accessibility Remediation Archives/Category

Descriptive Page Titles for Better Accessibility
If you’ve ever had 15 tabs open at once (and let’s be honest—who hasn’t?), you know how frustrating it is to click around trying to remember which one is which. When the titles are clear, you can find what you’re looking for in a second. When they’re not, it’s a guessing game.

For users who rely on screen readers or who live with cognitive or memory challenges, vague titles aren’t just annoying. They’re a real barrier. That’s where descriptive page titles come in. They make a huge difference in helping all users navigate the web more easily, and they support your site’s overall usability and accessibility—without requiring a major overhaul.

Best of all, it’s one of the simplest changes you can make that still packs a serious punch. A good page title improves orientation, reduces confusion, boosts your SEO rankings, and even helps reduce legal risk under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). All with a few well-chosen words.

What WCAG 2.4.2 Actually Requires

Under WCAG 2.4.2—a Level A requirement in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)—every web page must have a title that clearly describes its topic or purpose. It’s one of the most fundamental accessibility requirements, but it’s also one of the most overlooked.

Simply having a <title> tag isn’t enough. What’s inside that tag matters. A vague or generic title—like “Home” or “Untitled”—does little to help users understand what the page is actually about. It’s a bit like labeling all your folders “Stuff”—no one can navigate that efficiently, especially not users relying on assistive technologies.

This is especially important for screen reader users. Page titles are often read aloud as soon as a page loads or when switching between browser tabs. That brief moment of context helps them know exactly where they are. Similarly, sighted users benefit from meaningful titles when scanning through multiple open tabs or saving bookmarks for later reference.

Who Benefits from Descriptive Page Titles?

The short answer? Everyone. But here’s how it really plays out for different types of users:
- Screen reader users hear the page title as their first introduction. A vague or incorrect title can throw them off or force them to dig deeper than necessary.
- People with cognitive or memory challenges rely on titles to quickly understand whether a page is relevant. A well-written title can prevent information overload and reduce frustration.
- Mobility-impaired users benefit because they can avoid unnecessary clicks or key presses if the title tells them they’re on the wrong page.
- Everyone else—yes, even those without disabilities—appreciates descriptive page titles for the sheer convenience. Clear titles make it easier to navigate tabs, scan bookmarks, and share links confidently.
When a title says exactly what a page delivers, no one has to guess. That’s good usability—and that’s what accessibility is really about.

Common Title Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Even with the best intentions, many websites still fall into title traps. Let’s look at a few common problems:
- Too Vague: Titles like “Home” or “Blog” don’t help much when you’re trying to tell one tab from another.
- Reused Titles: When every blog post or account page is titled the same—like “Monthly Statement”—users lose their place quickly.
- Doesn’t Match the Page: If your title says “Pricing,” but the page is about features or FAQs, that mismatch causes confusion.
- Overloaded for SEO: You’ve seen these: “Best Home Trim Vinyl Windows Outdoor Accessories 2025 Guide.” They’re trying to do too much and end up helping no one.
Better Examples

Consider replacing generic titles with more descriptive ones. For example, swap “Blog Post” with “How to Write Descriptive Page Titles.” You might also change “Services” to “Real World Accessibility | 216digital,” or “Contact” to “Contact Us – 216digital Web Team.”

These small edits bring clarity, build trust, and boost both accessibility and SEO

Accessibility and SEO: They Work Together

There’s a common myth that writing for accessibility hurts SEO—but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, descriptive page titles are a perfect example of how accessibility and SEO can work in harmony.

Search engines love pages with relevant, concise, and unique titles. So do people. That means when you follow accessibility best practices, you’re also improving your site’s visibility and user engagement.

Tips for Great Titles
- Keep them between 30–60 characters so they don’t get cut off in search results or browser tabs.
- Use primary keywords naturally, not awkwardly.
- Try using a pattern like: [Page Topic] | [Brand Name].
So, “About” becomes “About Our Team | 216digital” and “Pricing” becomes “Website Accessibility Pricing | 216digital.”

It’s easy to see how small tweaks can have a big payoff.

How to Improve Your Titles—Step by Step

Here’s a quick plan to help you get your titles in shape:

Audit Your Site

Use automated tools to spot missing, duplicate, or unusually long titles. But don’t stop there—manual review is key to catching vague or misleading language that tools might miss.

Apply a Simple Template

Keep it consistent across your site: “[Page Topic] | [Brand]” works for most needs and helps build recognition.

Loop in Your Team

Content creators, developers, designers, and SEO specialists should all care about good descriptive page titles. Make it a shared goal—not an afterthought.

Add it to Your Checklist

Whether you’re launching a new blog post, updating a product page, or doing a site redesign, reviewing the title tag should be part of the process every time.

The Risks of Getting It Wrong

Ignoring this part of accessibility can lead to bigger problems. WCAG 2.4.2 is part of ADA compliance, and missing or misleading titles are often among the first things flagged in accessibility audits. If you’re not in compliance, you could be vulnerable to lawsuits—and nobody wants that.

But beyond legal risk, failing to use descriptive page titles sends the wrong message. It suggests your site wasn’t built with every user in mind. And that hurts brand trust more than you might think.

Final Thoughts: Titles That Work for Everyone

It’s easy to overlook something as small as a page title. But when you take a step back, you’ll see that descriptive page titles affect every part of your site—from how users find you, to how they feel while browsing, to whether they come back at all.

This one fix can make your site more usable, more discoverable, and more inclusive—without blowing up your workflow or budget. That’s what we call a smart move.

Ready to Take Action?

Want help reviewing your site for accessibility wins like this one? Schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital. We’ll show you how small changes like descriptive page titles can lead to big improvements in compliance, usability, and user trust—no pressure, no hard sell.

Let’s build a web that works for everyone—starting with the title.
Greg McNeil

June 18, 2025

How-to Guides

Accessibility, How-to, Page Titles, WCAG, WCAG Compliance, Web Accessibility, web developers, web development, Website Accessibility
How to Conduct Accessibility User Testing
You can pass every automated test and still fail your users. That’s the uncomfortable truth behind many accessibility initiatives. True accessibility goes far beyond technical compliance—it’s about how people actually experience your product. Accessibility user testing isn’t a last-minute box to check; it’s a powerful way to build digital experiences that work for everyone.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to conduct accessibility user testing in a way that’s respectful, strategic, and truly impactful. Whether you’re a UX professional, web developer, or product manager, you’ll leave with clear, practical guidance to take your testing process from good intentions to real results.

What Automated and Manual Testing Miss

Accessibility tools like Google Lighthouse and WAVE are fantastic for catching code-level issues—missing alt text, low contrast, missing labels. But that’s just the surface. These tools don’t understand user intent. They can’t tell if your focus order makes sense, or if a screen reader user can actually make sense of your modal flow.

Manual testing helps fill some of those gaps. Keyboard-only navigation, zoom testing, and screen reader simulations can uncover a lot—especially when done by experienced testers. But even this falls short of the lived experience.

Take a modal dialog as an example. You might trap focus correctly, label everything with ARIA, and pass every automated check. But in practice? A screen reader user may still struggle because the modal doesn’t announce in the expected order or re-focus correctly on close. That’s the kind of thing only accessibility user testing with real people can reveal.

Why User Testing with People with Disabilities Is the Game-Changer

No simulation can match the perspective of someone who uses assistive tech every day. People who rely on screen readers, switch devices, or voice navigation uncover friction and failure points that even seasoned accessibility professionals can overlook.

Here’s the shift: stop thinking of users with disabilities as edge cases. They’re not. They’re part of your audience—your customers, students, patients, or users. Designing for them improves your product for everyone.

Accessibility user testing isn’t just about catching bugs. It’s a critical feedback loop that improves usability, product-market fit, and even innovation. When you integrate it early and often, you don’t just “fix accessibility”—you build better experiences from the ground up.

Planning Your Accessibility User Testing Program

Define Clear Objectives

Start with real-world tasks. Instead of running a general audit, design your tests around meaningful user journeys:
- Is it possible for a blind user to complete a purchase from start to finish?
- Someone with low dexterity—can they successfully submit your job application form?
- And what about users with cognitive differences—can they easily locate your support content?
Clear, task-based goals help you focus your sessions and gather actionable insights.

Build a Representative Participant Pool

Many teams fall into the trap of testing only with blind screen reader users. That’s important—but not enough.

To make your testing inclusive:
- Include participants with motor impairments, cognitive disabilities, low vision, and voice input users.
- Recruit from diverse sources and advocacy organizations.
- Pay your testers. Always. Accessibility user testing is specialized work and should never rely on free labor. Follow ethical compensation practices and provide flexible scheduling and support.
Pre-Test Logistics and Respectful Setup

Before the session, send a tech-check checklist to participants. This might include browser compatibility, assistive tech setup, and ensuring a quiet space.

Also, ask about accommodations in advance:
- Do they prefer screen sharing or phone interviews?
- Do they need additional time?
- Would they like the questions in advance?
Offering flexible formats—remote, hybrid, or in-person—ensures participants can engage comfortably. Respect starts with planning.

Running Meaningful and Inclusive Testing Sessions

Session Structure That Works

Start with a warm-up task or small talk to ease anxiety and build trust. Remember, this isn’t a test of the participant—it’s a test with them.

Structure your session around a few focused tasks. Example:
- “Please use the site to find and register for a webinar.”
- “Try to contact customer support using your preferred method.”
Observe closely—but don’t interrupt unless necessary. Let participants narrate their thought process if they’re comfortable. This gives you insight into confusion points, workaround strategies, and breakdowns in usability.

Accessibility user testing is about listening. Often, the most valuable insights come not from what users can or can’t do, but from the effort it takes them to do it.

Ask Thoughtful, Open-Ended Questions

Instead of “Did that work for you?” try:
- “How did that process feel?”
- “What was easy or hard about that task?”
- “Was there anything that surprised or confused you?”
Create space for honest feedback, and resist the urge to jump in with fixes. Your goal is to understand, not defend.

From Feedback to Action

Once your accessibility user testing sessions are complete, consolidate your notes into themes. What barriers kept coming up? Were there recurring moments of friction?

Tag issues by severity and impact. Some will be quick fixes—labeling buttons, adjusting tab order. Others may require bigger design shifts. Either way, track them in your product backlog and prioritize them alongside other critical bugs.

Also, share findings with your team. Make video clips or quotes part of your sprint reviews or design critiques. Seeing real users struggle—or succeed—can be a powerful motivator for accessibility buy-in across your organization.

Make It Part of Your Process

Accessibility user testing isn’t a one-off effort. Integrate it into every major phase of development:
- Early design prototypes
- Beta versions before release
- Major feature updates
The earlier you involve users, the more you catch—and the less expensive it is to fix. Consider building an accessibility testing panel you can tap into regularly. Make it part of your QA cycle, not just a compliance afterthought.

User-Tested, People-Approved

Automated tools and manual audits are important—but they only take you so far. To build truly inclusive experiences, you need to go deeper. Accessibility user testing gives you something no tool ever will: real human insight.

By listening to and designing with people with disabilities, you move from compliance to compassion. From checking boxes to opening doors. From good enough to genuinely excellent. And that’s not just better accessibility—it’s better UX, period.

If you’re ready to elevate your accessibility strategy with meaningful user feedback, 216digital can help. Schedule an ADA briefing with our accessibility team to discuss how user testing fits into a comprehensive, long-term solution. Together, we’ll help you build experiences that work for everyone—starting now.
Greg McNeil

June 13, 2025

Testing & Remediation, Uncategorized

Accessibility testing, Manual Testing, User Experience, user testing, Users experience, Web Accessibility Remediation
How Courts Are Addressing Serial ADA Plaintiffs
In recent years, federal courts—particularly in New York—have seen a wave of ADA Title III lawsuits targeting website accessibility issues. While the Americans with Disabilities Act was designed to protect the rights of people with disabilities, a growing number of cases have been brought by serial ADA plaintiffs—individuals who file dozens of near-identical lawsuits across various businesses, often seeking attorney’s fees rather than pursuing real accessibility improvements.

Now, two recent federal court decisions—Fernandez v. Buffalo Jackson Trading Co. (S.D.N.Y., April 14, 2025) and Black v. 3 Times 90, Inc. (E.D.N.Y., April 15, 2025)—are signaling a turning point. Both rulings reflect a trend toward stricter judicial scrutiny and a renewed focus on standing. The message from the courts is becoming clear: claims must be backed by credible, specific allegations of harm—not just boilerplate language.

1. The Rise of Serial ADA Plaintiffs and Lawsuits

In 2024, more than 2,400 ADA Title III lawsuits were filed in federal court alleging website accessibility barriers—a slight uptick from the year before. But despite the continued volume, filings in New York federal courts dropped by 39% compared to 2022, reflecting a noticeable shift. Just 23 plaintiffs were responsible for over half of the cases, pointing to a strategy rooted more in quantity than in quality—a hallmark of serial ADA plaintiffs.

These lawsuits typically rely on generic language, vague descriptions of barriers, and claims of intent to return that lack meaningful context. Courts are now starting to challenge those claims more directly, pushing back on whether plaintiffs have suffered a legitimate “injury in fact” or have any real intention of using the websites they’re suing over.

2. Fernandez v. Buffalo Jackson Trading Co., LLC

In this case, Felipe Fernandez, who is legally blind, sued Buffalo Jackson Trading Co., claiming that he couldn’t complete a purchase of a leather jacket due to accessibility barriers on the company’s website. He pointed to issues like missing alt text and form labels, and stated that he intended to return and complete the purchase once the issues were resolved.

The Court’s Response

Judge John Cronan didn’t dismiss the case outright. Instead, he ordered jurisdictional discovery and an evidentiary hearing to explore whether Fernandez actually had standing to sue. His reasoning was grounded in constitutional principles:

“Article III standing is not merely a pleading hurdle—it’s a core constitutional guardrail.”

The court flagged several red flags:
- Fernandez had filed dozens of similar complaints, often within the same week, using the same legal template.
- He claimed to have tried to purchase items ranging from leather jackets to African necklaces to martial arts gear—an unusually wide variety for a single consumer.
- Despite claiming he couldn’t navigate the site, he referenced specific product features, pricing, and even a promotional discount—suggesting that the site may not have been as inaccessible as alleged.
To dig deeper, the court authorized a forensic review of Fernandez’s browsing history and potentially a deposition, signaling a strong interest in validating the sincerity of his claims and patterns consistent with serial ADA plaintiffs.

3. Black v. 3 Times 90, Inc.

In a separate case, plaintiff Jahron Black—also legally blind—filed suit against a Chinese restaurant, claiming he couldn’t access key information on its website, such as the menu and location details. He said he wanted to visit the restaurant “immediately” and often frequented the neighborhood.

Why the Court Dismissed the Case

Judge Natasha Merle dismissed the complaint for lack of standing, even though the defendant had argued mootness due to recent accessibility fixes. The judge found that:
- Black failed to explain how the website’s issues prevented him from visiting the physical location.
- He didn’t attempt to get the same information through other means, like a phone call or search engine—undermining his claim of urgency.
- There was no compelling reason offered for why this particular restaurant mattered, especially given New York City’s wide range of similar dining options.
While not central to the decision, the judge noted that Black had filed 27 similar lawsuits within the previous year, a pattern that mirrors the behavior of serial ADA plaintiffs.

The court concluded that the complaint didn’t show any real intent to return or actual harm, and dismissed the case without leave to amend.

4. Why These Rulings Matter

Together, these decisions point to a more assertive judicial approach to ADA website litigation driven by serial ADA plaintiffs. Courts are no longer content to accept vague allegations and templated filings. Instead, they’re insisting on:
- Specific, credible claims of harm
- Clear intent to return or complete a transaction
- Evidence to support those claims, such as browsing history or meaningful engagement with the site
In Fernandez, the court is even considering deposing the plaintiff and conducting a forensic review of his device—an extraordinary step that shows how seriously judges are taking the issue of standing.

5. What This Means for Plaintiffs, Businesses, and the Courts

For Plaintiffs and Their Attorneys

Courts are demanding more. To pursue these cases in federal court, plaintiffs must provide:
- Documented evidence of actual attempts to use the site
- Specific descriptions of what went wrong and how it impacted them
- A credible reason for why they’d return
Vague complaints and mass filings are less likely to survive a motion to dismiss. They may also trigger closer scrutiny of the plaintiff’s litigation history—especially for known serial ADA filers.

For Businesses

These rulings present an opportunity to push back when faced with questionable lawsuits. Businesses should consider:
- Challenging standing early, especially if the complaint lacks details or appears templated
- Requesting jurisdictional discovery to verify the plaintiff’s claims
- Tracking patterns of repeated filings by the same individuals or firms
Additionally, some plaintiff firms are now shifting lawsuits to state courts, where standing requirements are generally less demanding. Businesses should prepare for this potential change in forum.

For the Legal System

This trend marks a balancing act: protecting the ADA’s intent while discouraging opportunistic litigation. Federal courts are raising the bar for standing in accessibility lawsuits. This reinforces the idea that these cases should address real-world barriers and genuine attempts to engage with businesses—not rely on legal templates meant to generate fees.

6. Looking Ahead

The upcoming hearing in Fernandez could prove to be a watershed moment. If the court finds that Fernandez lacked standing, it would further solidify the trend toward stricter standards. If the case moves forward, it may help define what constitutes credible evidence of harm in ADA website lawsuits.

Either way, these rulings serve as a wake-up call for both sides: businesses must continue improving accessibility, but the legal process must remain focused on real harm—not manufactured complaints.

A Turning Point—and a Call to Act

The landscape for serial ADA plaintiffs is shifting. Courts are drawing a firmer line between legitimate accessibility concerns and litigation that appears more about fees than fairness. For businesses, this means new opportunities to defend against weak claims—but also a strong reminder that proactive, meaningful accessibility improvements remain the best long-term strategy.

As these cases evolve, so too must the approach to compliance and litigation. The stakes are higher, and the scrutiny is sharper. Now more than ever, standing—and sincerity—matter.

Not sure if your site is at risk? Schedule a free ADA briefing with 216digital to assess your exposure and get expert guidance
Greg McNeil

June 12, 2025

Legal Compliance

ADA, ADA Compliance, ADA Lawsuit, ADA Lawsuits, serial ADA plaintiffs
Web Accessibility for Retailers Under Legal Fire
If you’re running an online retail business, digital accessibility might not be the first thing on your to-do list—but it needs to be. In today’s eCommerce landscape, accessibility for retailers isn’t just a best practice—it’s a legal requirement and a smart business move.

Retail websites are complex, dynamic, and frequently updated, which makes them especially vulnerable to accessibility issues. And as more people rely on online shopping to meet daily needs, the stakes are higher than ever. Lawsuits are on the rise, but more importantly, so is the expectation that your site works for everyone.

Product carousels, filters, multi-step checkout processes, popups, modals, and embedded third-party tools all add complexity and make accessibility more difficult.

Why Web Accessibility for Retailers Matters

Retailers have become one of the biggest targets for digital accessibility lawsuits. In fact, in 2024 alone, 77% of all web accessibility lawsuits in the U.S. targeted online retailers—making the industry the most litigated digital sector. These lawsuits aren’t just targeting Fortune 500 brands; regional and mid-market businesses are facing legal action at an increasing rate.

There are several reasons for this:

Retail Websites are Dynamic And Complex

They’re filled with product carousels, filters, multi-step checkout processes, popups, modals, and embedded third-party tools—all of which can be difficult to make accessible. Without proper structure, markup, and ARIA attributes, these elements can become unusable for people relying on screen readers or keyboard navigation.

eCommerce Sites Are Constantly Updated

Product pages change, promotions rotate, and new features are added regularly. These updates often introduce new accessibility problems—especially when not reviewed with accessibility in mind.

Online Shopping is Essential

It’s no longer a luxury; it’s how millions of people access everyday goods and services. If a website prevents someone from completing a purchase due to an accessibility barrier, it becomes a civil rights issue—legally and ethically.

Demand Letters Are Widespread

Each year, hundreds of thousands of demand letters are sent to businesses for digital accessibility violations. These letters signal that a company is excluding people with disabilities, and the reputational damage can be immediate.

Legal and Technical Web Accessibility for Retailers

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)requires U.S. retailers to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities in all places of public accommodation. In today’s digital world, the courts and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have made it clear: this requirement also applies to websites—especially those that sell goods and services to the public.

Courts and plaintiffs use the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as the standard for compliance in nearly all accessibility-related lawsuits. The DOJ reaffirmed this approach in 2024, solidifying WCAG as the benchmark for evaluating whether a website is accessible.

The Four Golden Rules of Accessibility: POUR

At the heart of WCAG are four key principles known by the acronym POUR: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. These form the foundation for accessible digital experiences and help ensure your website works for everyone.
- Perceivable – Users must be able to identify and interact with content. This includes providing text alternatives for images, captions for videos, and other sensory accommodations.
- Operable – The site must support navigation with a keyboard, screen reader, or other assistive tools—without relying solely on a mouse.
- Understandable – Information and functionality should be easy to comprehend and behave in expected ways to avoid confusion.
- Robust – Content must be compatible with a wide range of current and future assistive technologies, such as screen readers or voice commands.
And it’s not just your website. These principles should also extend to digital documents, confirmation emails, customer service interactions, and anything else a user might engage with online.

Common Pitfalls on Retail Websites

Retail sites face some of the most complex accessibility challenges. Here are a few issues that often trigger lawsuits:
- Unlabeled or mislabeled form fields that prevent screen reader users from checking out.
- Broken keyboard navigation makes it impossible for users with motor impairments to complete transactions.
- Missing alt text on product images.
- Low color contrast between text and backgrounds.
- Non-dismissable modals or popups that trap users.
- Checkout flows that break when even one component isn’t accessible.
These barriers frequently appear when using templates, third-party plugins, or custom JavaScript that hasn’t been accessibility-tested. They can completely disrupt the buying experience for users who depend on assistive technologies. Web accessibility for retailers requires a consistent and intentional approach to prevent these obstacles from resurfacing.

What Happens If You’re Sued

Most lawsuits begin with a demand letter—often asking for immediate remediation and a financial settlement. If ignored, this can escalate into a federal lawsuit under the ADA or state-level laws like California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, which allows for additional penalties.

Settlements may cover remediation costs and legal fees, but the real damage is often reputational—especially when exclusion of disabled users becomes public knowledge.

Even if your business wins the case, legal defense costs are high. And if your site remains non-compliant, you may be targeted again. With web accessibility for retailers, prevention is significantly less costly than a reactive legal defense.

A Proactive Plan for Retailers

Accessibility isn’t a one-time fix. It’s an ongoing strategy. Here’s how to start with accessibility for retailers:

1. Start with an Audit

Use automated tools like Lighthouse or WAVE for a quick scan. But don’t stop there—manual testing is essential for identifying real-world usability barriers.

2. Fix Key Areas First

Prioritize your homepage, product pages, cart, and checkout. Make sure form fields are labeled, keyboard navigation works, and screen readers can read your content.

3. Address Dynamic Elements

Focus on complex components—like popups, modals, filters, and third-party integrations—that often create the biggest challenges. Use semantic markup and ARIA attributes to support assistive tech.

4. Monitor Continuously

Your site changes frequently. Build accessibility checks into your update process so new features don’t break usability, or use a monitoring service like a11y.Radar.

5. Train Your Team

Give your developers, content editors, and marketing teams the knowledge they need to create inclusive content from the start.

6. Consider Outside Help

Accessibility is nuanced. A qualified team can help you get it right—and keep it that way.

Retailers: Don’t Let Accessibility Be an Afterthought

Web accessibility for retailers is no longer optional. It’s central to building a sustainable, inclusive, and legally safe business. In a digital environment where over 30% of the top 500 eCommerce retailers were sued last year, doing nothing is no longer a risk—it’s a liability.

But there’s a real upside, too. Accessibility leads to better experiences, broader audiences, stronger SEO, and a more trusted brand.

Start now. Audit your site. Fix the gaps. Train your team. Partner with experts. Turn accessibility from a compliance headache into a strategic advantage.

Need Help Making Your Retail Site Accessible?

216digital offers full audits, real-world testing, and proactive monitoring to ensure your site meets WCAG standards and stays lawsuit-resistant. Let’s make your eCommerce experience inclusive—and legally safe—from day one.
Greg McNeil

June 11, 2025

Legal Compliance

Accessibility, ADA Compliance, ADA Lawsuit, ecommerce website, Retail, WCAG, Web Accessibility, Website Accessibility
WordPress Accessibility: Common Pitfalls & Fixes
WordPress gives developers a head start with accessibility—but it’s just that: a start. While the platform includes solid foundations like semantic markup and keyboard-friendly admin features, building an experience that works for everyone still requires thoughtful decisions on our part. As developers, we’re in a unique position to go beyond the basics, spotting the small oversights that can create big barriers for users.

In this guide, we’ll walk through some of the most common accessibility missteps we see in WordPress projects—along with practical fixes you can implement right away. Whether you’re refactoring an old theme or launching something new, these insights are meant to help you create experiences that are not just compliant, but genuinely inclusive.

Misuse of Heading Structures for Visual Styling

It’s easy to reach for <h2> or <h3> tags to style text because they’re built into most WordPress themes with bold and larger font sizes. But when headings are used purely for visual emphasis—not structure—you end up distorting the page’s semantic outline.

Why It Matters

Screen reader users often rely on heading navigation to scan and jump between sections. If headings are skipped, out of order, or misused, the page becomes harder to understand, and key content may get missed entirely.

How to Fix It
- Use CSS for Styling: Apply styles using classes or inline styles, not heading tags. In Gutenberg, you can use blocks with custom styles or reusable blocks instead of jumping heading levels.
- Follow a Logical Heading Hierarchy: Begin with one <h1> per page (usually the title), then use <h2> for top-level sections, <h3> for subsections, and so on.
- Audit Your Work: Use tools like WAVE or the Google Lighthouse Accessibility Report to evaluate your heading structure and flag potential misuses before they go live.
Overreliance on Theme Defaults for Color Contrast

Many developers trust their WordPress theme’s default color scheme to do the heavy lifting—but while a palette may look good visually, it doesn’t mean it’s accessible. Default colors often fail to meetWCAG 2.1 AA standards, especially for body text and buttons.

Accessibility Risk

Poor color contrast is a major barrier for users with low vision or color blindness. If your text blends into the background, you’re excluding readers—sometimes without realizing it.

Practical Fixes
- Test Contrast Ratios: Use WebAIM’s Contrast Checker or the Color Contrast Analyzer to validate text against its background.
- Override Theme Defaults: Most modern themes offer customization options via the Customizer or Full Site Editing. Make small adjustments—lighten text, darken backgrounds—to meet or exceed the 4.5:1 minimum contrast ratio.
- Offer User Controls: Consider giving users the ability to switch to high-contrast mode with plugins like “WP Accessibility.” This gives more control to your users while improving inclusivity.
Improper List Markup Practices

It’s not unusual to see developers create the appearance of a list using <div> tags, line breaks, or other non-semantic methods—especially in custom blocks or page builders commonly used in WordPress.

Why It’s a Problem

Screen readers rely on semantic tags like <ul>, <ol>, and <li> to announce that a list exists, how many items are in it, and how items relate to each other. Without this structure, users lose context.

Best Practices
- Use Native List Markup: If it’s a list—code it as a list. Use <ul> for unordered lists and <ol> for ordered ones. Wrap each list item in <li>.
- Handle Nesting Thoughtfully: For sub-lists, nest another <ul> or <ol> inside an <li>. Screen readers will announce the nested structure properly.
- Test Your Output: Run accessibility audits or inspect the DOM to ensure list structures are coded semantically, especially when using custom Gutenberg blocks or page builders.
Neglecting Contextual Relevance in Alt Text

WordPress auto-generates alt text from image file names if authors don’t supply one. That’s how you end up with images labeled “IMG_4829.jpg”—which isn’t helpful to anyone.

Why It Matters

Alt text should describe why the image is there, not just what it looks like. If the image provides important context, instructions, or emotion, a generic label fails users who rely on screen readers.

What Developers Can Do
- Write Purpose-Driven Alt Text: If the image is showing a concept, outcome, or step in a process, describe that context directly. For example, “Screenshot of the plugin settings menu with Accessibility Mode enabled.”
- Avoid Phrases Like “Image of…” Screen readers already announce the presence of an image. Jump straight into the relevant description.
- Use Empty Alt for Decorative Images: For visuals that are purely aesthetic and add no informational value, use alt="" so assistive tech knows to skip it entirely.
Overuse and Misapplication of ARIA Attributes

ARIA is a powerful toolset—but like any tool, misuse can cause more harm than good. Adding roles and attributes without understanding their implications can break screen reader behavior or clutter the accessibility tree.

The Real Cost

Improper ARIA use can confuse assistive technologies, interfere with default behaviors, and even make components harder—not easier—to use. Overengineering is just as dangerous as under-engineering.

Smarter ARIA Use
- Favor Native HTML First: If you’re building a checkbox, <input type="checkbox"> with an associated <label> is far more reliable than using a <div> with ARIA roles and states.
- Use ARIA Only When Required: If you’re building a custom interactive widget (like a tabbed interface or menu), consult the ARIA Authoring Practices Guide. Choose correct roles and manage keyboard interactions accordingly.
- Test Your Implementation: Use screen readers like NVDA or VoiceOver to verify that ARIA is behaving as expected. Pay attention to focus, announcements, and interaction patterns.
Overlooking Keyboard Navigation and Focus Management

Many developers unintentionally design for mouse users first. But for users relying on keyboards—whether due to preference, disability, or temporary injury—keyboard accessibility is critical.

Key Accessibility Concerns
- No Visible Focus Indicators: Removing browser outlines with outline: none; without providing alternatives leaves users lost.
- Custom Components Not Keyboard-Aware: Modals, sliders, dropdowns, and carousels built from scratch often lack proper keyboard event handling and focus management.
Developer-Friendly Fixes
- Ensure Focus Visibility: Style focused elements clearly using CSS, like :focus { outline: 2px solid #000; }. Customize this to match your theme, but don’t remove it entirely.
- Handle Keyboard Events: For custom components, add keydown or keyup listeners to handle Enter, Escape, and Arrow keys appropriately. Don’t rely on click events alone.
- Do Keyboard-Only Testing: Regularly test your site using only the keyboard. Tab through each interactive element and verify focus moves logically, without skipping important controls.
What True Accessibility Looks Like in WordPress

Accessibility isn’t a checklist—it’s a mindset. When we write clean, semantic code, ensure visual clarity, and support every way a user might interact with our sites, we’re not just doing right by WCAG—we’re doing right by our users. The real goal is to build experiences that work for everyone, without assumptions about how people navigate the web.

As WordPress developers, we have powerful tools and a vibrant ecosystem at our disposal. Let’s use them with care and intention. Keep testing, stay curious, and don’t hesitate to dig deeper. And if you’re looking to strengthen your accessibility efforts, 216digital offers ADA compliance briefings tailored to development teams. We’re here to support your work—because inclusive development is better development.
Greg McNeil

June 10, 2025

How-to Guides, Legal Compliance

Accessibility, How-to, WCAG, Web Accessibility, web developers, web development, Website Accessibility, WordPress
Are Accessible Websites More Expensive to Develop?
Let’s get one thing out of the way: making your website accessible does not mean doubling your budget or dragging out your timeline. One of the biggest misconceptions we hear from clients is that accessible websites are more expensive to build. But when done right, accessibility isn’t some extra layer you slap on later—it’s a smarter way to build from the beginning.

Accessibility isn’t about adding bells and whistles. It’s about giving everyone a fair shot at using your site—no matter how they access it. And when accessibility is baked into your planning, design, and development phases, it actually saves you money. On the flip side, skipping it now often leads to expensive fixes, rework, or even legal issues later.

Bottom line: accessible websites aren’t more expensive to develop—inaccessible ones are.

What Accessibility Actually Requires

If you’re picturing accessibility as a mountain of custom features and complicated coding, let’s pump the brakes. Most accessibility best practices are about making smarter choices early in the process, not reinventing the wheel.

Let’s look at a few low-effort, high-impact things your team can do:
- Add alternative (alt) text as you upload images. It takes seconds and provides screen readers with essential context.
- Use semantic HTML (like proper headings, lists, and buttons) instead of just styling with divs and spans.
- Structure navigation so users can tab through with a keyboard.
- Check your color contrast in early design stages—this small choice determines readability for millions of users.
Accessibility isn’t about building entirely new tools. It’s about ensuring your site plays nicely with existing assistive technologies—like screen readers, screen magnifiers, or voice navigation tools.

That means you don’t have to build special versions of your site for users with disabilities. You just need to support the way they already navigate the web.

Building Accessibility from the Ground Up Saves Time and Money

Now here’s where the real costs come in: retrofitting. When accessibility isn’t part of the original plan, fixing issues after launch becomes much more expensive.

Let’s say you skipped writing alt text during image uploads. Going back to write descriptions for 1,000+ images after the fact? That’s hours—if not weeks—of work.

Or maybe you used complex JavaScript widgets without thinking about keyboard access. Retrofitting those components to be screen reader-friendly may mean rewriting large sections of your code.

In other words, fixing inaccessible websites costs more than doing it right the first time. And those fixes often introduce technical debt—clunky workarounds, inconsistent updates, and ongoing maintenance headaches.

Accessible websites, when built with care from the start, are easier to update, scale, and maintain. They’re leaner, cleaner, and future-proof.

Accessibility Supports Other Core Business Goals

Accessibility isn’t just about doing the right thing—it’s also good business.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search engines love accessible sites. Why? Because many accessibility best practices—like using descriptive alt text, heading tags, and semantic HTML—also help search engines understand and index your content.

Performance and Usability

Accessible websites tend to have faster load times and cleaner code, which improves the overall user experience. Mobile users, for example, benefit from accessible design as much as someone using a screen reader.

Security and Stability

Accessible forms often rely on well-structured HTML and simple interactions rather than fragile JavaScript plugins. This makes your site more stable and secure, reducing the likelihood of bugs or failures.

In short, accessibility supports the same goals that developers, designers, marketers, and business owners already care about: visibility, usability, and reliability.

The Real Risk: Legal Liability and Missed Market Potential

Now let’s talk about the elephant in the room: lawsuits.

Accessibility-related lawsuits have been on the rise for years—especially under ADA Title III, which covers websites as places of public accommodation. And it’s not just the big guys being targeted. Small and midsize businesses are increasingly in the crosshairs.

Worse, many businesses try to cut corners with accessibility overlays or plugins. These tools promise instant compliance but often fall short of legal standards like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). Relying on them can actually increase your legal risk.

And beyond compliance? Let’s not ignore the massive untapped audience:
- 1 in 4 U.S. adults lives with a disability.
- Older adults, one of the fastest-growing groups of online shoppers, benefit from larger text, clearer navigation, and reduced motion.
- Consumers care—more people are making buying decisions based on brand values like inclusivity and social responsibility.
An accessible website isn’t just a shield against lawsuits. It’s a magnet for customers you might otherwise miss entirely.

Smart Accessibility Decisions by Role

No matter your role on a digital team, you can make choices that support accessible websites from the beginning.

For Designers
- Choose high-contrast color schemes.
- Use legible fonts with scalable sizes.
- Structure content with a clear visual hierarchy.
- Design for flexibility—not everyone uses a mouse or touchscreen.
For Developers

Use semantic HTML for structure.
- Make sure all interactive elements work with a keyboard.
- Don’t overuse ARIA—follow best practices and use it only when necessary.
For Content Creators
- Write in plain, easy-to-understand language.
- Make sure your links say where they go (“Read our pricing guide,” not just “Click here”).
- Use headings and lists to break up content.
For Project Managers
- Treat accessibility like you would security or performance. It’s not optional—it’s critical.
- Schedule accessibility testing early and often, not just at the end.
- Work accessibility into every sprint, deliverable, and stakeholder review.
Accessibility is everyone’s job—and it’s much easier when it’s a shared priority from the beginning.

Accessibility as an Investment, Not a Line Item

Let’s reframe the conversation.

Accessibility isn’t just a cost on your project spreadsheet. It’s a long-term investment in your brand, your user experience, and your operational efficiency.

Here’s what you gain:
- Simpler redesigns: Sites built on semantic, accessible foundations are easier to rebuild or re-theme.
- Better customer experiences: More people can use your site with ease—and they’ll remember it.
- Improved trust: Customers, partners, and regulators alike see accessible websites as a sign of responsibility and care.
Even the W3C, the global standards organization behind WCAG, notes that accessible websites “often work better for everyone” and “improve the user experience across devices.”

At 216digital, we’ve seen it firsthand—companies that build accessibly from the start end up with stronger, leaner, and more successful digital platforms.

Make Accessibility a Strategic Priority

So, are accessible websites more expensive to develop?

Not if you do it right.

Integrating accessibility from the beginning is faster, cheaper, and more effective than fixing it later. It supports your other business goals, opens up new markets, and protects you from legal risk.

Inaccessible websites may cost less upfront—but they cost far more in the long run.

If you’re planning a redesign or wondering where your current site stands, scheduling an ADA accessibility briefing with 216digital is a smart, low-commitment first step. We’ll help you assess your current risk, prioritize improvements, and put you on the path to building more inclusive digital experiences.

Because accessibility isn’t an extra—it’s just smart business.
Greg McNeil

June 9, 2025

Testing & Remediation

Accessibility, Accessibility Remediation, cost, Web Accessibility Remediation, Website Accessibility
Up and Coming ARIA Implementation
Web accessibility is always evolving. Keeping up isn’t just beneficial—it’s crucial. Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) help developers build experiences that are usable by everyone, especially those with disabilities. As web standards advance, new ARIA attributes and roles emerge. Recently, ARIA 1.3 has introduced several notable features developers should start adopting now.

Many of these are still in what could be called the “infrastructure stage”—they’re well-defined and available, but support across assistive tech and browsers remains inconsistent. That’s precisely why now is the time to pay attention. Understanding emerging ARIA implementation ensures your projects remain inclusive, user-friendly, and future-proof.

This article explores fresh ARIA implementation options, their current support levels, and how developers can practically integrate them into real-world workflows.

New and Noteworthy ARIA Attributes

aria-errormessage

Effective error messaging can significantly enhance usability. The ARIA implementation of aria-errormessage connects specific error messages to input fields when aria-invalid="true" is active. Unlike aria-describedby, this explicitly identifies the message as an error, and it’s only announced when the field is invalid—streamlining feedback for screen reader users.

Support: Strong across JAWS, NVDA, and iOS VoiceOver. More limited in other environments.

Example
```
<label for="email">Email:</label>
<input type="email" id="email" aria-invalid="true" aria-errormessage="emailError">
<span id="emailError">Please enter a valid email address.</span>
```
aria-description

This attribute supplements existing descriptive labels by offering additional, programmatically available context that isn’t always visible on screen. It’s ideal for providing hints that enhance usability without cluttering the UI. For example, use aria-description="You are here:" to add orientation to breadcrumb navigation.

Support: Currently handled well by NVDA and iOS VoiceOver; other screen readers may ignore it or misinterpret its purpose.

Example
```
<button aria-label="Download" aria-description="Downloads the current report in PDF format.">Download</button>
```
aria-details

The ARIA implementation of aria-details links an element to rich, supplementary content—replacing the outdated and poorly supported longdesc. It’s perfect for enhancing understanding of charts, data tables, and complex graphics.

Support: Announced in some screen readers, but there’s currently no direct navigation path from the referenced element to the details content—limiting usability in production environments.

Example
```
<img src="chart.png" alt="Sales Chart" aria-details="chartDetails">
<div id="chartDetails">
  <p>This chart shows sales data from Q1 to Q4, highlighting growth trends.</p>
</div>
```
aria-keyshortcuts

Keyboard accessibility remains critical for many users. The ARIA implementation of aria-keyshortcuts lets developers document expected key commands directly in markup, making interfaces easier to learn and navigate via screen readers.

Important note: This does not create functionality—it simply advertises the shortcut to assistive tech.

Support: Fairly robust in Chrome and Edge; less so in Firefox and mobile platforms.

Example
```
<button aria-label="Mute" aria-keyshortcuts="Ctrl+M">Mute</button>
```
aria-placeholder

This attribute serves as a screen-reader-friendly version of the native placeholder attribute, particularly useful for custom form controls like div[contenteditable]. Unlike native placeholders, the text won’t be announced after the field is filled, avoiding redundancy.

Support: Surprisingly consistent across JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack.

Example
```
<div contenteditable="true" role="textbox" aria-placeholder="Enter your comment here..."></div>
```
Emerging ARIA Roles Enhancing Semantic Meaning

Editorial and Collaborative Roles

Roles like role="mark", role="comment", and role="suggestion" provide semantic meaning in collaborative environments—useful in rich text editors, document workflows, and feedback tools.
- mark: Highlights text.
- comment: Marks feedback or user-generated discussion.
- suggestion: Flags proposed edits or changes.
Support: Varies widely. role="mark" is gaining traction due to its alignment with <mark>. Others are still emerging.

Example
```
<p>The final decision was <span role="suggestion">to postpone the launch</span> until next quarter.</p>
```
Technical and Temporal Roles

New semantic roles such as role="code" and role="time" help describe technical or time-based content when native elements like <code> or <time> aren’t feasible—particularly in component-based frameworks.

Support: Minimal at present but useful for long-term semantic clarity.

Example
```
<div role="code">const sum = (a, b) => a + b;</div>
<div role="time" datetime="2025-06-06T13:49:19-04:00">June 6, 2025, 1:49 PM EDT</div>
```
role=”image”

This is functionally equivalent to role="img" but offers a clearer, natural-language alternative. While it doesn’t change behavior, it can improve code readability and naming consistency across projects.

Example
```
<div role="image" aria-label="Company Logo">
  <img src="logo.png" alt="">
</div>
```
Practical Implementation Considerations

Assessing Support Across Assistive Technologies

Not every ARIA implementation feature enjoys uniform support. The ecosystem includes screen readers like JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack, and browsers like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. Always test your ARIA implementations across a matrix of platforms and devices. What works well in one may fail silently in another.

Tested Environments (May 2025)
- Windows 11: JAWS, NVDA, Narrator
- macOS Sequoia: VoiceOver
- iOS 18.4: VoiceOver (Safari)
- Android 15: TalkBack (Chrome)
Support varies—stay informed and test often.

Best Practices for Adoption
1. Use semantic HTML first. ARIA should enhance—not replace—native elements.
2. Progressively enhance. Build baseline functionality, then layer in ARIA attributes where they add real value.
3. Test with real users. Automated tests only go so far. Gather feedback from people who use assistive tech every day.
4. Implement gracefully. Ensure content degrades without breaking if ARIA features aren’t supported.
5. Stay proactive. Keep track of ARIA spec updates and screen reader changelogs.
Conclusion

Web accessibility isn’t static. Staying ahead of emerging ARIA implementation trends helps developers build experiences that are not just compliant, but genuinely inclusive. Attributes like aria-errormessage, aria-description, and editorial roles like role="comment" signal the future of accessible interaction.

Many of these features may still be waiting for widespread support—but early adoption by thoughtful developers will shape best practices and standards moving forward.

To lead with confidence in this evolving space, consider scheduling an ADA briefing with 216digital. Their accessibility experts can help you implement forward-looking ARIA features in a way that’s both robust and user-first—positioning your organization as a leader in inclusive design.
Greg McNeil

June 6, 2025

How-to Guides

Accessibility, ARIA, How-to, WCAG, WCAG Compliance, web developers, web development
ARIA Alert 101: Loud, Clear, and Accessible
If you’ve built interactive web apps, you know how crucial timely feedback is for a good user experience. But here’s something developers often overlook: what about users who rely on assistive technologies like screen readers? For them, getting real-time notifications isn’t just convenient—it’s essential. That’s exactly why understanding how to use an ARIA alert matters.

This guide breaks down what ARIA alerts are, how they work, where they shine, and how to implement them correctly—without overwhelming users or creating redundant announcements.

What Exactly Is an ARIA Alert?

An ARIA alert is your app’s way of tapping a screen reader user on the shoulder. By using role="alert", you’re signaling that the content inside that element is critical and should be announced immediately—without needing to move focus or interaction.

Technically, role="alert" behaves the same as setting aria-live="assertive" and aria-atomic="true". That means:
- The content update will be read aloud right away.
- The entire updated region will be announced, not just the changed portion.
Use it when urgency matters—like an error message or a warning about a session timeout.

How ARIA Alerts Actually Work (And Why They Can Be Tricky)

For an ARIA alert to trigger, it must announce a change. If you statically load a message with no updates, nothing will happen—even if you’ve assigned role="alert".

Here’s the trick: the alert container must exist in the DOM when the page loads, and its content must change dynamically. You can do this by:
- Inserting new text into the container.
- Revealing text that was previously hidden with CSS (e.g., display: none → display: block).
A reliable pattern is to preload an empty alert container, then inject or unhide content as needed. This ensures assistive tech is “watching” the region.

Real-World Scenarios for Using ARIA Alerts

Let’s look at some common, effective use cases:
- Form validation: “Oops! Please enter a valid email.”
- Session timeouts: “You’ll be logged out in 1 minute.”
- Connection issues: “Unable to save changes—check your connection.”
Here’s an updated practical implementation using best practices:
```
<div role="alert" aria-live="assertive" aria-atomic="true" id="email-alert"></div>
<form id="contactForm">
  <label for="email">Email:</label>
  <input type="email" id="email-input" placeholder="Enter email">
  <button type="submit" onclick="validateEmail(event)">Submit</button>
</form>
<script>
function validateEmail(event) {
  event.preventDefault();
  const email = document.getElementById('email-input').value;
  const alertBox = document.getElementById('email-alert');
  alertBox.textContent = ''; // Clear previous message
  if (!email.includes('@')) {
    // Trigger update
    alertBox.textContent = 'Please provide a valid email address.';
  }
}
</script>
```
Pro tip: Clearing the alert content first helps some screen readers recognize the change reliably.

alert vs. alertdialog: Know the Difference

Use role="alert" for passive, immediate notifications that require no interaction. But if your message needs a user response—like confirming an action or acknowledging a warning—role="alertdialog" is a better fit.

It shifts focus into the alert and keeps the user there until they respond—perfect for time-sensitive prompts.

When Another Role Fits Better

ARIA alerts aren’t the only live region role. Use the right tool for the right job:
- Use role="status" for passive, non-urgent updates, such as “Settings saved.”
- When presenting chat logs or continuously updating feeds, apply role="log".
- Countdowns or ticking clocks are best served with role="timer".
- For moving text like stock tickers or news crawls, assign role="marquee".
This prevents alert fatigue and keeps your UI meaningful and calm.

Best Practices for ARIA Alerts

To ensure your ARIA alert implementation actually helps users, keep these principles in mind:
- Avoid using aria-live="assertive" on top of role="alert" — it’s redundant and may cause double announcements.
- Don’t assign role="alert" to the trigger (like a button); apply it to the message container.
- Avoid focusing the alert — screen readers will announce it automatically.
- Leave the container empty at first — content must be injected or toggled dynamically to trigger an announcement.
Here’s an example using a hidden alert message:
```
<div role="alert">
  <span id="error-message" style="display:none; color:red;">Please provide a valid email address.</span>
</div>
<script>
function submitForm(event) {
  event.preventDefault();
  const emailField = document.getElementById('email');
  const errorMessage = document.getElementById('error-message');
  if (!emailField.value || !emailField.value.includes('@')) {
    errorMessage.style.display = 'block';
  } else {
    errorMessage.style.display = 'none';
    alert('Form submitted successfully');
  }
}
</script>
```
Common Pitfalls (and How to Fix Them)
- Too many alerts: It’s tempting to ARIA-ify everything, but overusing alerts overwhelms users. Use sparingly and meaningfully.
- Alerts that vanish too quickly: Follow WCAG 2.2.3 (AAA) recommendations and give users enough time to absorb information—especially at slower screen reader speeds.
- Missing initial DOM presence: Screen readers may not monitor the alert region if developers add it after the page loads and it wasn’t in the initial DOM.
- Static content: No matter the role, alerts only fire when content updates. Don’t forget to trigger a change—whether inserting, revealing, or replacing content.
Advanced Tips to Polish Your ARIA Alerts

Reuse One Container

Don’t overcomplicate things with multiple regions. Instead, keep a single reusable alert container:
```
const alertContainer = document.getElementById('reusable-alert');
alertContainer.textContent = '';
setTimeout(() => {
  alertContainer.textContent = 'Your session will expire soon!';
}, 50);
```
The slight delay ensures screen readers detect the change.

Hidden Alerts for Assistive Tech Only

Sometimes, users with screen readers need information that sighted users don’t. You can use visually hidden alerts to serve that audience without affecting your UI:
```
<div role="alert" class="visually-hidden">
  Background task completed successfully.
</div>
```
This preserves visual clarity while maintaining inclusivity.

Testing: Manual Beats Automated

While tools like Lighthouse are helpful, automated testing can’t catch everything. To verify ARIA alert functionality:
- Use screen readers directly (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver).
- Test updates dynamically—don’t rely on static behavior.
- Confirm timing, visibility, and repeatability.
Get feedback from real users whenever possible.

Make Critical Updates Count With ARIA Alerts

An ARIA alert isn’t just a technical fix—it’s a way to respect your users’ need for timely, clear communication. When implemented well, it’s like adding a layer of empathy to your UI. You’re saying, “Hey, I’ve got your back—even if you can’t see what’s on the screen.”

If you’re unsure whether your alerts are firing at the right moments—or want expert help ensuring your digital experience is accessible—connect with the team at 216digital. We offer accessibility audits, developer guidance, and hands-on remediation services tailored to your site.

Let’s make accessibility loud, clear, and effective—together.
Greg McNeil

June 5, 2025

How-to Guides

Accessibility, ARIA, ARIA alert, How-to, web developers, web development, Website Accessibility
Law Firms Aren’t Built for Accessibility Remediation Services
When a demand letter lands in your inbox, or an ADA-related lawsuit hits your desk, your first thought might be to call a lawyer. That’s a natural reaction—after all, legal issues usually call for legal help.

But here’s where things get a little more complicated: if the problem is your website’s accessibility, then legal advice alone won’t fix it. And that’s where many businesses take a wrong turn. Legal teams can guide you through the paperwork, but they’re rarely the ones who dig into your code, address the real barriers, or help you prevent the next lawsuit.

This article walks you through why relying on a law firm to handle accessibility remediation services might not be the best move—and what a smarter, more effective approach looks like.

The Problem: Law Firms Handle Lawsuits—Not Code

Let’s be clear—attorneys have an important role. If you’ve received a demand letter or lawsuit, they can help you respond, negotiate, or represent you in court. But legal involvement doesn’t make the accessibility problem go away. The root issue—your website not working for people with disabilities—still remains. And it’s that issue that continues to carry legal and reputational risk.

Most law firms don’t have in-house technical teams. No developers, no certified accessibility experts, no usability testers. So what happens? They either outsource the actual accessibility remediation services to third-party vendors (often charging a premium along the way) or provide high-level reports filled with checklists that leave your dev team guessing at what to do next.

That means you’re still on the hook for the real work—and possibly paying more for it.

Hidden Risk #1: You’ll Pay More for Less

Law firms typically charge by the hour, which makes sense for legal tasks like reviewing contracts or negotiating settlements. But when they apply those same rates to accessibility-related work—such as interpreting WCAG guidelines, coordinating with vendors, or reviewing audit summaries—it turns into a costly game of telephone.

You end up paying for layers of administrative overhead that slow down progress and don’t actually improve your website.

Worse, you might not even realize where the money is going. Legal fees can pile up quickly without producing the tangible results your business actually needs: a compliant, accessible, functional website. For small to mid-size organizations trying to manage both compliance and budget, this model is hard to justify.

Hidden Risk #2: The Fixes May Not Be Complete

Fixing accessibility isn’t about running a quick scan and addressing a handful of errors. Real remediation requires technical precision, contextual judgment, and manual testing—especially with screen readers and keyboard navigation. It involves understanding how accessibility issues present in code and how they affect the user experience for people with different disabilities.

Many law firms don’t have the tools—or the trained personnel—to go that deep. And their vendor partners often lean heavily on automated tools that only catch surface-level issues.

Here’s what that kind of partial remediation can miss:
- Form fields without accessible labels
- Improper heading structures that confuse screen readers
- Modal windows that can’t be closed without a mouse
- Buttons or links that don’t receive keyboard focus
- Dynamic content changes that don’t alert assistive technologies
These aren’t fringe cases—they’re exactly the kinds of issues that trigger lawsuits. Unfortunately, teams often overlook them when legal experts, rather than technical specialists, lead accessibility remediation efforts.

Hidden Risk #3: No Plan for the Long Term

Even if your legal team manages to patch things up for now, accessibility isn’t a one-and-done situation. Websites evolve. New content is added. Platforms update. If you don’t have an ongoing plan, you risk falling out of compliance all over again—and landing back in legal trouble.

Law firms are built for casework, not for long-term technical oversight. Most won’t offer monitoring services, provide training for your content team, or stay engaged as your digital properties change over time. Without a partner who understands how to maintain accessibility remediation services, you’re left exposed.

That’s why sustainable compliance calls for a proactive strategy—one that goes beyond legal checkboxes and focuses on real-world usability, continuous improvement, and future-proofing your site.

What Proper Accessibility Remediation Services Look Like

To address ADA compliance issues the right way, you need more than legal advice—you need a full-service accessibility team that knows how to diagnose, prioritize, and implement lasting solutions.

Here’s what effective accessibility remediation services typically involve:

1. In-Depth Accessibility Audit

Experienced accessibility professionals start by reviewing your site against WCAG 2.1 A/AA standards using both automated and manual testing. This ensures nothing gets missed. A proper audit covers the following:
- Screen reader testing using tools like NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver
- Keyboard-only navigation analysis
- Color contrast checks
- Semantic HTML review
- ARIA role validation for dynamic content
It’s this level of testing that uncovers real usability barriers.

2. A Clear, Actionable Roadmap

Instead of a vague checklist, a solid remediation team will provide a prioritized list of issues, each translated into plain language with clear technical recommendations. The goal is to make it easy for developers to understand what needs to be fixed—and how.

3. Code-Level Fixes

This is the heart of remediation. A professional team doesn’t just point out problems—they roll up their sleeves and solve them. That includes adjusting templates, improving focus states, rewriting inaccessible components, and ensuring your code structure supports screen readers and keyboard navigation.

It’s hands-on work—and it requires skilled front-end developers who understand both accessibility and UX.

4. Real-World Usability Testing

After you make changes, your work isn’t done. Test the updated site again—this time in real-world scenarios using assistive technologies. This step confirms that your remediation efforts actually work for the people they’re designed to support.

5. Documentation & Legal Support

While not a substitute for a legal team, many remediation partners provide helpful documentation—such as accessibility statements, conformance reports (like VPATs), and audit results—that demonstrate your organization’s commitment to accessibility. These materials can also support your response if you’re facing legal scrutiny.

6. Ongoing Monitoring

Even after remediation, your site should be monitored regularly. A good partner will offer scanning tools like a11y.Radar for testing and alerts to catch issues early—before they turn into compliance risks.

Why Accessibility Professionals Are the Better Fit

Accessibility specialists solve the actual problem: they make websites usable for people with disabilities. They work closely with your development, design, and content teams to create solutions that align with your brand, support your UX goals, and meet compliance requirements.

Unlike law firms, accessibility pros don’t just help you react—they help you prepare. Their job is to prevent problems, not just manage them after the fact.

They bring technical knowledge, lived user experience insights, and a collaborative mindset to the table. That’s how you get lasting results—not just legal coverage, but a stronger, more inclusive digital presence.

Conclusion: The Smart Path to Lasting Compliance

If you’re navigating legal pressure because of an inaccessible website, it’s important to act quickly—but also wisely. Legal teams play a role, yes, but true ADA compliance requires more than legal documents and advice. It takes technical expertise, accessibility remediation services, and a long-term plan that goes beyond checking boxes.

The right partner doesn’t just help you respond to a lawsuit—they help you prevent the next one by making your website genuinely usable for everyone. That means fewer legal risks, stronger user trust, and a better experience across the board.

At 216digital, we specialize in real solutions—not just legal responses. From WCAG audits and code-level fixes to usability testing and ongoing monitoring, we help you build and maintain a site that works for everyone.

Schedule an ADA briefing with our accessibility team today to get clear, honest guidance on what your site needs, what’s at risk, and how to move forward confidently. Let’s make your compliance efforts count—for your users and your business.
Greg McNeil

June 4, 2025

Legal Compliance

Accessibility, Accessibility Remediation, Accessibility testing, ADA Compliance, WCAG, Web Accessibility, Web Accessibility Remediation, Website Accessibility
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

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