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  • Build Accessibility In, Don’t Bolt It On

    A brand-new website can feel polished and future-proof—right up until someone with a screen reader runs into a dead-end menu or a keyboard user can’t tab past the hero banner. Suddenly the “finished” project is back on the operating table, costing hours (and budget) you’d already spent elsewhere.

    When accessibility planning is woven into the first brainstorm—alongside color palettes, user flows, and content themes—those last-minute scrambles disappear. Decisions get crisper, code stays cleaner, and every visitor, regardless of ability, enjoys the same smooth path through your pages.

    Think of accessibility less as decorative trim and more as the blueprint that holds the whole structure together. Start with it, build on it, and you’ll launch faster, spend less, and welcome more people from day one.

    What Does “Bolting It On” Look Like?

    Many organizations treat accessibility like a retrofit. The site is already built, the design is approved, and the content is live. Only then does someone say, “Wait—what about screen reader support? What about color contrast? What if this form can’t be used with a keyboard?”

    Now you’re in damage control. Fixing accessibility issues post-launch can require rewriting code, redesigning components, and delaying updates. Even worse, you may be stuck with baked-in barriers that are difficult or costly to correct. For example:

    • Rebuilding menus that were designed without keyboard navigation in mind
    • Rewriting interactive components that don’t support screen readers
    • Replacing an entire color palette because contrast ratios fail WCAG

    Accessibility planning means thinking about inclusion as you sketch wireframes, select a CMS, or build your first component. It means your developers write semantic HTML, your designers test color contrast before finalizing a palette, and your content creators write with clarity and structure.

    When accessibility planning is part of the DNA of your project, you get better results—faster and with fewer surprises.

    Accessibility Planning = Smart, Strategic Design

    Now imagine the opposite scenario: your team is starting a new project or redesign. Right at the beginning, you ask:

    • Who are our users, and what diverse needs do they have?
    • Are we designing this interface to be usable without a mouse?
    • Can our color and font choices work for users with low vision or dyslexia?
    • Are we writing alt text for images, and using descriptive link text?
    • Is this form easy to complete using assistive technology?

    These questions don’t slow you down. They guide your decisions from the ground up.

    Accessibility planning means thinking about inclusion as you sketch wireframes, select a CMS, or build your first component. It means your developers write semantic HTML, your designers test color contrast before finalizing a palette, and your content creators write with clarity and structure.

    When accessibility is part of the DNA of your project, you get better results—faster and with fewer surprises.

    6 Stages Where Accessibility Belongs

    Here’s how to build accessibility into your process, stage by stage:

    1. Discovery and Strategy

    Before any code or design work begins, include accessibility planning as a strategic priority. Define your target users, including those with disabilities. Document accessibility goals and requirements as part of your project scope.

    Make accessibility a deliverable—not an afterthought.

    2. UX and Visual Design

    Design with inclusivity in mind. That means:

    • High contrast color palettes
    • Clear visual hierarchy
    • Large, legible typography
    • Components that look good and function well with assistive tech
    • Clear focus indicators and logical navigation

    Don’t assume visual design is just aesthetics—it impacts usability for everyone.

    3. Content Creation

    Content creators play a major role in accessibility planning. They should:

    • Use descriptive headings and meaningful subheadings
    • Write clear, concise link text (“Download the annual report” instead of “Click here”)
    • Provide transcripts or captions for audio and video
    • Write meaningful alt text for important images

    Training your content team on accessibility saves hours of rewriting down the road.

    4. Front-End Development

    This is where accessibility really comes alive. Developers should use:

    • Semantic HTML (correct use of <nav>, <button>, <label>, etc.)
    • ARIA labels only when needed—not as a shortcut for poor structure
    • Keyboard operability for all interactive elements
    • Logical tab order and skip navigation links

    Accessibility-friendly code isn’t just better for screen readers—it’s more resilient, scalable, and SEO-friendly too.

    5. Testing and QA

    Accessibility testing isn’t just automated. While tools like Lighthouse, or WAVE help flag obvious issues, real users and manual testing are critical.

    • Test with screen readers like NVDA or VoiceOver
    • Navigate your site using only a keyboard
    • Check forms for proper labels and error handling
    • Test responsiveness and zoom up to 200%

    Bring in users with disabilities if possible. Their feedback is irreplaceable.

    6. Launch and Maintenance

    Accessibility doesn’t stop at launch. It’s an ongoing effort. As you add new features or content, revisit your accessibility standards. Schedule regular audits. Monitor legal developments. Consider automated tools like a11y.Radar for early issue detection.

    The Human Side of Accessibility

    It’s easy to talk about accessibility in technical terms, but at its core, it’s about people.

    Think about someone using a screen reader to access your site. Or someone with motor limitations who can’t use a mouse. Or someone dealing with temporary impairments—a broken wrist, eye strain, or even just a noisy environment where audio isn’t practical.

    Building accessibility in from the start isn’t about compliance for its own sake. It’s about treating all users with dignity. It’s about believing that digital spaces should work for everyone, regardless of ability.

    Common Pitfalls to Avoid

    Even with good intentions, teams can fall into these traps:

    • Assuming accessibility is only the developer’s job: Accessibility is a shared responsibility across design, content, and engineering.
    • Waiting until the QA phase: Accessibility can’t be “tested in” at the end. It must be designed and developed.
    • Relying too much on overlays or plugins: Widgets don’t fix inaccessible code. In some cases, they create more problems than they solve.
    • Failing to document decisions: Keep a living accessibility checklist. It helps ensure continuity across teams and updates.

    Why It Pays Off

    Here’s what you gain when you build accessibility in from day one:

    • Faster development: Fewer reworks, cleaner code
    • Lower costs: Avoid costly redesigns and retrofits
    • Happier users: Better usability for everyone, not just people with disabilities
    • Improved SEO: Accessibility often overlaps with search best practices
    • Reduced legal risk: Stay ahead of ADA and state-level laws like Colorado HB 21-1110
    • Stronger brand reputation: Inclusion signals leadership and care

    Most importantly, you build a digital presence that welcomes, respects, and serves more people exactly like the web was meant to work.

    No Ifs, Ands, or Bugs—Just Accessibility Plans

    Accessibility doesn’t belong on a post-launch checklist or in a future phase that never quite gets prioritized. It belongs at the table from day one—when you’re mapping out user journeys, designing components, and writing your very first lines of code.

    By making accessibility planning a core part of your workflow, you avoid costly rework, improve overall quality, and create digital experiences that serve more people, more effectively. It’s not about adding more to your plate—it’s about building smarter from the start.

    If you’re ready to move from fixing to future-proofing, 216digital can help. Our phased accessibility services are designed to meet you where you are, guide your team, and strengthen your site’s foundation for the long haul. Let’s make accessibility part of how you build—every time.

    Greg McNeil

    June 20, 2025
    Testing & Remediation
    Accessibility, Accessibility Remediation, Accessibility testing, Web Accessibility, Web Accessibility Remediation, web development

  • 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

  • Custom Accessibility Audits: Tailored for Your Website

    Most websites aren’t trying to be inaccessible—it just kind of happens. A few plugins here, a third-party widget there, and before you know it, people using screen readers or keyboard navigation are hitting roadblocks you didn’t even know were there.

    If you’ve ever felt unsure about where your site stands or thought, “We added a tool—so we’re probably fine,” you’re not alone. But the truth is, real accessibility takes more than a one-click solution. It takes intention, testing, and a plan. And with digital accessibility lawsuits on the rise, ignoring the gaps is more of a liability than ever.

    If staying ADA-compliant is your goal, you need more than a quick fix. You need custom accessibility audits, meaningful remediation, and a partner who can help you maintain compliance long-term.

    The Real Limitations of Automation Tools

    Automated accessibility tools are everywhere, and it’s easy to see the appeal. They promise a quick scan and some instant fixes—like adding alt text, adjusting colors, or offering a text-size toggle. It feels like progress. But these tools can only go so far.

    They often miss what really matters: how someone with a disability actually uses your site. Screen readers, keyboard navigation, and cognitive-friendly layouts aren’t things most automation can truly understand or evaluate.

    What They Miss (And Why It Matters)

    Here are a few areas where automation usually falls short:

    • Screen reader experiences: Automated tools won’t tell you if your navigation makes sense when read aloud.
    • Keyboard usability: They don’t catch when menus or popups trap users who don’t use a mouse.
    • Structural clarity: Bad heading structures or mislabeled buttons often go unnoticed.
    • Interactive elements: Modals, forms, and sliders might work visually but break down when tested for accessibility.

    Even more concerning? Courts are increasingly ruling that automation alone doesn’t meet ADA requirements. In some cases, relying on overlays without fixing underlying issues can actually increase your legal risk—especially for busy sites that handle transactions. This is why custom accessibility audits remain the gold standard for identifying real, user-impacting issues.

    Why Real Testing Still Matters

    You can’t fix what you don’t experience—and that’s the heart of manual testing. It’s not just about running a tool and checking boxes. It’s about walking through your site the way someone with a disability might.

    That means:

    • Navigating with a keyboard and nothing else.
    • Using a screen reader to browse your content.
    • Testing user flows like logging in, searching, or checking out—without assuming the user can see or use a mouse.

    The Kind of Issues Manual Testing Uncovers

    This type of testing uncovers issues that automation never will:

    • Dropdowns that don’t announce themselves
    • Buttons that lack clear, descriptive labels
    • Interactive sections that lose focus or confuse navigation
    • Forms that look fine visually but are hard to use with assistive tech

    At 216digital, we don’t just skim the surface. During custom accessibility audits, we follow real user journeys—from homepage to checkout—so we can see how the experience actually holds up. It’s not about passing a test. It’s about making sure everyone can use your site smoothly.

    What Custom Accessibility Audits Really Looks Like

    Once you know what’s broken, fixing it takes more than flipping a switch. True remediation means tailoring fixes to your site’s layout, content, and functionality—not applying a generic patch.

    That’s why we focus on changes that make a measurable difference for real users. Things like:

    • Making sure users can see where their keyboard focus is at all times
    • Adding ARIA roles and labels so screen readers can understand what’s on the page
    • Improving contrast without compromising your brand’s look

    Examples of Targeted Fixes

    We also fix the kinds of problems that create the most user friction:

    • Popups and modals that trap keyboard or screen reader users
    • Sliders or videos that move too quickly without user control

    There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Each website is different. Each problem needs a thoughtful, code-aware fix. That’s where custom remediation stands apart—it solves the right problem in the right way.

    Keeping Accessibility on Track with a11y.Radar

    Accessibility isn’t something you do once and forget about. Websites change—new content, new plugins, new designs—and with those changes come new risks.

    That’s where our ongoing monitoring tool, a11y.Radar, makes the difference.

    It acts like a digital safety net by:

    • Running regular scans to check for new or recurring issues
    • Prioritizing problems based on what’s most important to fix first
    • Providing clear reports that your team can actually understand and act on
    • Using the same scanning methods many law firms rely on before filing lawsuits

    Stay Ahead, Don’t Fall Behind

    Think of it like maintenance for your website’s health. You wouldn’t skip oil changes for your car—and keeping your site accessible works the same way. a11y.Radar helps you stay proactive so small issues don’t turn into bigger problems later. And when paired with custom accessibility audits, you gain a complete strategy for long-term digital compliance.

    Why Visibility Increases Your Risk

    The more visible your business becomes, the more pressure there is to get accessibility right.

    In just May alone, 445 new digital accessibility lawsuits were filed in the U.S.—many aimed at online retailers, especially those using Shopify or WooCommerce. These platforms offer convenience, but often rely on templates or plugins that haven’t been fully tested for accessibility.

    The Real-World Consequences

    It’s not personal—these lawsuits are often triggered by bots scanning the web for compliance issues. If your site trips a red flag, it could end up on a law firm’s radar.

    The risks are real:

    • Expensive legal battles or settlement costs
    • Strained customer trust
    • Hits to your brand reputation
    • Increased insurance premiums

    The upside? When you invest in custom accessibility audits and monitoring, you dramatically lower your risk—and build a better experience for every user.

    Beyond Legal Advice: Why You Need Technical Support

    A good legal team can help you understand where you’re exposed. But they won’t fix your navigation, rewrite your forms, or troubleshoot your ARIA labels.

    That’s where a hands-on partner makes the difference.

    What a Technical Accessibility Partner Does

    At 216digital, we’ve supported hundreds of websites—small shops and enterprise platforms alike. Our approach is practical, technical, and built around real-life use cases. We don’t just tell you what’s wrong—we fix it, explain it, and set you up to manage accessibility long-term.

    Here’s what we bring to the table:

    • Clear developer guidance tailored to your platform
    • Integrated testing and remediation that fits into your current workflow
    • Ongoing support and monitoring after the fixes are live

    It’s not about being perfect—it’s about building lasting accessibility habits. And having a partner who helps you stay on track.

    Accessibility Isn’t Obligation—It’s Opportunity

    It’s your chance to build a brand that’s genuinely inclusive, appealing to a wider audience and avoiding costly legal pitfalls. Automation tools alone won’t get you there, but custom accessibility audits, hands-on remediation, and proactive monitoring will.

    If you’re done guessing and ready to confidently say your site is accessible, reach out to us at 216digital. We’ll clearly show you where your site stands, guide you through practical improvements, and keep accessibility effortless and ongoing. Because ultimately, making your website accessible isn’t just smart—it’s the kind of thoughtful action your customers will notice and appreciate.

    Greg McNeil

    June 17, 2025
    Testing & Remediation
    Accessibility, Accessibility Remediation, Accessibility testing, automated testing, custom accessibility audits, Manual Testing, Web Accessibility, Web Accessibility Remediation, Website Accessibility

  • 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

  • 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
    How-to Guides
    Accessibility, ARIA, aria-describedby, aria-label, How-to, WCAG, Web 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
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