web development Archives /Tag

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

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

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

What Is WCAG — and Why It Matters

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

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

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

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

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

Why the Idea of Certification Still Matters

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

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

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

What You Can Get Instead: Real Accessibility Certifications

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

Real Accessibility Is About Practical Action

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

Run Regular Accessibility Audits

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

Fix High-Impact Issues First

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

Bake Accessibility Into Development

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

Publish a Public Statement

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

Train Your Content Team

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

Should You Be Chasing WCAG Certification?

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

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

Accessibility Partners Can Make the Difference

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 14, 2025

Web Accessibility Training

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

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

What a False Positive Really Is

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

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

The Hidden Costs of False Positives

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

Time and Budget Drain

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

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

Erosion of Trust in Tools

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

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

Legal and Reputational Risks

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

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

Practical Steps to Minimize False Positives

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

Choose Tools Carefully

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

Combine Automated Testing with Manual Checks

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

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

Educate and Empower Your Team

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

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

Shift Accessibility Testing Left

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

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

Engage Accessibility Specialists

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

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

A True Positive Path Forward

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

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

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

May 13, 2025

Testing & Remediation

Accessibility, Accessibility Remediation, false positives, Web Accessibility Remediation, web developers, web development, Website Accessibility
aria-label vs aria-labelledby: When and How to Use Each
As developers, we know every interactive element—buttons, dialogs, inputs—needs an accessible name. Good semantic HTML handles this automatically. But let’s face it, our apps get complicated. Sometimes, buttons only show icons, dialogs pull their titles from external components, or complex widgets break the neat semantic model. That’s where ARIA attributes come in. Specifically, aria-label and aria-labelledby help us provide clear,

screen-reader-friendly names. But they aren’t interchangeable. Knowing when to use each can save you debugging headaches down the line.

The Common Ground

First off, let’s review their similarities. Both aria-label and aria-labelledby override native labels provided by HTML. Both directly influence what assistive technologies like screen readers announce. Ideally, though, these ARIA attributes should be your fallback, not the go-to solution—semantic HTML labels are always best.

Quick side note: If you’re ever curious about the details, check out the Accessible Name Computation Algorithm.

Using aria-label: Direct and Hidden

aria-label lets you set an accessible name directly with a string—no extra DOM needed. Here’s a simple example you’ve probably seen before:
```
<button aria-label="Search">
  <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false">...</svg>
</button>
```
Perfect for icon buttons or elements that don’t have visible labels. But there’s a catch:
- It’s invisible to sighted users. If your visual UI doesn’t clearly indicate the button’s purpose, this can confuse people.
- It’s static and won’t automatically update with dynamic content changes.
- Localization is manual—you need to integrate these labels into your internationalization setup.
Use aria-label when simplicity outweighs these drawbacks—like icon-only buttons that stay consistent across languages.

aria-labelledby: Harness Visible Content

aria-labelledby points directly to visible content already on the page to build the accessible name. This is super helpful for complex widgets or dialogs:
```
<div role="dialog" aria-labelledby="dialog-title">
  <h2 id="dialog-title">Settings</h2>
  
</div>
```
This is great because:
- Updates to referenced elements automatically update the accessible name—handy for localization or dynamic UI changes.
- You can reference multiple IDs to build richer, descriptive names.
The downside? It requires stable IDs. Reference a missing ID, and your screen reader users will hear nothing—a silent fail you won’t catch easily without testing.

Picking the Right Attribute

Choosing between these two attributes boils down to visibility and localization:
- Visible text already on screen? Use aria-labelledby.
- Icon-only or hidden label? Use aria-label.
- Multiple languages or dynamic content? Lean heavily towards aria-labelledby.
Following these simple guidelines can help keep your UI accessible and your codebase clean.

Common Mistakes (And How to Dodge Them)

Let’s get real: we’ve all made these mistakes:
1. Using both attributes at once: Screen readers only honor aria-labelledby. The leftover aria-label just confuses whoever touches your code next.
2. Referencing IDs that don’t exist: Silent errors are the worst. Double-check your references with automated tools like axe-core.
3. Static English aria-labels on multilingual sites: Always leverage your translation pipeline or use aria-labelledby with translated DOM elements.
Quick example: Imagine a delete button labeled with aria-label="Delete" in English. When your app gets translated into Spanish, this button label stays stuck in English. Switching to aria-labelledby referencing a translated element solves it instantly.

Performance and Maintenance Tips

In frameworks like React or Vue, manage your DOM carefully. Always ensure referenced elements exist in the DOM before referencing components mount. Add automated accessibility checks (like Lighthouse) into your CI/CD setup. They’ll quickly catch misconfigured labels and help you maintain consistent accessibility.

Advanced Label Composition

Need more detail? Stack IDs with aria-labelledby:
```
<span id="action">Confirm</span>
<span id="item">your subscription</span>
<button aria-labelledby="action item">...</button>
```
Now the screen reader clearly announces, “Confirm your subscription.”

Dynamic content? Even simpler:
```
const statusLabel = document.getElementById("status");
statusLabel.textContent = isExpired ? "Expired" : "Active";
// aria-labelledby references statusLabel automatically
```
This dynamic updating is invaluable for reactive or state-driven UI.

Testing Your Accessible Names

Don’t skip manual checks. Fire up VoiceOver, NVDA, or even JAWS and tab through your components the way real users do. Navigate end‑to‑end, listen for odd announcements, and confirm the focus order feels right. Then pair those spot checks with automated tools in CI so labeling issues get fixed long before code ships.

Wrapping Up: Making Strategic Choices

Understanding when to use aria-label versus aria-labelledby might seem minor, but it significantly impacts users’ experience. Choose aria-label for simplicity and directness, especially on icon-driven interfaces. Go with aria-labelledby when leveraging visible, dynamic, or localized content.

Remember, accessibility is about making your interfaces clear for everyone, not just users relying on assistive tech. The strategic use of these attributes ensures your app feels polished and intuitive.

Need a quick gut‑check? Schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital. We’ll walk through your codebase together and make sure every label—and the rest of your accessibility stack—hits the mark.
Greg McNeil

May 9, 2025

How-to Guides

Accessibility, ARIA, aria-label, Web Accessibility, web developers, web development

Accessible Accordion vs Disclosure: Dev Best Practices

Disclosures and accordions show up all over the place—FAQs, menus, settings panels—you name it. They seem simple enough, right? But making sure they actually work for everyone takes more than just toggling some content and calling it a day.

If you’ve ever wondered when to use <details> versus building an accordion with buttons and ARIA, or how to keep screen reader users from getting lost in a sea of hidden panels, you’re not alone. This guide breaks it all down—what to use, when to use it, and how to build a truly accessible accordion without overcomplicating the code.

What Are Disclosure and Accordion Widgets?

Disclosure Widgets: Simple, Native, and Often Overlooked

Disclosures—also known as show/hide widgets—are ideal for toggling a single section of content. Think expandable FAQs or inline help that doesn’t clutter the UI by default.

Here’s a basic example using semantic HTML:

<details>
  <summary>Need more info?</summary>
  <p>Here are more details you might find useful.</p>
</details>

This pattern is fully native and built into the browser, which means it comes with keyboard support and screen reader compatibility right out of the box. You also get the open attribute, which allows you to control whether the content is expanded by default.

The main advantage here is simplicity—no JavaScript needed, and fewer chances to introduce accessibility issues.

Accordion Widgets: More Complex, More Control

An accessible accordion expands on the idea of disclosure by managing multiple content panels. In most implementations, only one section is open at a time, helping users stay focused and reducing cognitive overload.

You can build an accordion using multiple <details> elements, but if you want to control behavior more precisely—like closing other panels when one opens—you’ll need JavaScript.

Here’s what a minimal HTML-only version might look like:

<details name="accordion">
  <summary>Step 1</summary>
  <p>Instructions for step one.</p>
</details>

But to meet WCAG standards for a true accessible accordion, you’ll need to manage keyboard navigation, state indicators, and focus behavior—topics we’ll cover next.

Accessibility Considerations Developers Must Prioritize

Keyboard Navigation That Works for Everyone

An accessible accordion must support meaningful keyboard interactions. Here’s what users expect:

Tab and Shift + Tab to move between interactive elements.
Enter or Space to toggle a section open or closed.
Arrow Up/Down or Home/End to move between accordion headers in more advanced versions.

Missing any of these can make your component unusable for keyboard users. The WAI-ARIA Authoring Practices offer detailed guidance on accordion interaction patterns—worth bookmarking for reference.

Use Semantic Elements—Always

If there’s one golden rule, it’s this: never sacrifice semantics for styling.

That means:

Use <button> for interactive triggers—not <div>, <span>, or anchor tags without href.
If you’re toggling visibility, it’s a button, not a link.
Ensure that elements behave as users (and assistive technologies) expect.

Using semantic elements is one of the most effective ways to ensure your accessible accordion behaves predictably across screen readers and input types.

Add ARIA Where Needed, Not Everywhere

ARIA should enhance native HTML—not replace it. But when you’re building a custom accordion in JavaScript, ARIA becomes essential for communicating component state.

Here’s a basic implementation:

<button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="info">More Info</button>
<div id="info" hidden>
  <p>Here’s the additional info.</p>
</div>

const btn = document.querySelector('button');
const content = document.getElementById('info');
btn.addEventListener('click', () => {
  const expanded = btn.getAttribute('aria-expanded') === 'true';
  btn.setAttribute('aria-expanded', String(!expanded));
  content.hidden = expanded;
});

This ensures screen readers can track whether content is visible or hidden, creating a seamless experience for all users.

Common Accessibility Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Even seasoned devs slip up. Here are a few common issues that can break accessibility—and how to address them:

Mistake	Problem	Solution
Non-focusable triggers	`<div>`s with `onclick` don’t work for keyboard users	Use `<button>` or add `tabindex="0"`
Links used instead of buttons	`<a>` without `href` doesn’t convey intent	Replace with semantic `<button>`
Missing state feedback	Screen readers can’t detect if content is expanded	Dynamically update aria-expanded
Focusable elements in hidden content	Users tab into content they can’t see	Use hidden or display: none correctly

Most of these issues stem from skipping semantic HTML or relying too heavily on JavaScript without proper state management. An accessible accordion avoids these pitfalls by focusing on clarity, intent, and interaction feedback.

Best Practices for Developers

Building an accessible accordion that holds up in the real world means going beyond code snippets. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Start with Progressive Enhancement

Whenever possible, begin with HTML <details> and <summary>. They’re accessible by default and supported in all major browsers. Use JavaScript only when additional behavior—like limiting panels to one open at a time—is truly needed.

Prioritize Focus Visibility

An accordion is only as accessible as its focus states. Make sure every interactive element has a visible focus indicator, and don’t override :focus-visible in your CSS. This isn’t just a WCAG 2.2 requirement—it’s also just good UX.

Avoid Overengineering with ARIA

Don’t reach for ARIA unless you need to. Native HTML tends to be more robust across assistive technologies, and using ARIA incorrectly can make things worse. When in doubt, simplify.

Test Like a User

If you’re not testing with a keyboard, you’re flying blind. Add screen reader testing with NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver into your QA flow. Run Lighthouse and WAVE scans, but don’t rely on them alone—they won’t catch everything an actual user would encounter.

Real-World Application: From Good to Great

Let’s say you’re rebuilding a legacy FAQ section. It uses JavaScript to toggle open answers, but it’s riddled with <div>s and missing ARIA.

Start by replacing the markup with semantic HTML:

<details>
  <summary>What’s your return policy?</summary>
  <p>You can return items within 30 days.</p>
</details>

Then, enhance with JavaScript if you want only one section open at a time. Layer in ARIA attributes to improve screen reader support. Suddenly, you’ve turned a clunky widget into a polished, accessible accordion that works for everyone.

Wrapping It Up

Disclosures and accordions might seem interchangeable, but the differences matter—especially when accessibility is on the line. Whether you’re working on a quick FAQ or building a fully dynamic interface, an accessible accordion ensures users with different abilities can navigate and interact with your content.

At the end of the day, accessibility isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about building better interfaces for everyone.

Need help auditing your components?

216digital offers in-depth accessibility support. Schedule an ADA compliance consultation to review your current implementation and ensure everything meets WCAG standards—without compromising design or performance.

Greg McNeil

May 8, 2025

How-to Guides

Accessibility, accessible accordion, Disclosure, How-to, HTML, semantic HTML, web developers, web development

How Digital Accessibility Training Reduces Legal Risk
You’ve already put in the work. Your site has been remediated, the big accessibility issues are behind you, and things are finally in a good place. That’s huge. But here’s the thing—accessibility doesn’t stay fixed on its own.

Websites evolve fast. New content gets published. Layouts shift. Design trends change. And unless your internal team knows how to keep accessibility in place, even small updates can knock you out of compliance before you realize it.

This is where digital accessibility training becomes your secret weapon. It’s not about starting over—it’s about staying in control, protecting your investment, and building confidence across your team.

Why Accessibility Isn’t “One and Done”

If you’ve ever updated a button style or added an image without checking the alt text, you already get it: accessibility issues can sneak in easily.

Every time your team touches the website—whether it’s a blog post, a product update, or a code tweak—they’re either maintaining compliance… or breaking it.

Remediation isn’t the finish line. It’s the starting point for sustainable accessibility. And without digital accessibility training, your team is basically driving without a map. One wrong turn, and you’re back in legal territory.

The Legal Stakes: Second-Time Lawsuits Are Surging

Here’s a stat that should stick: 41% of accessibility lawsuits last year were filed against companies that had already been sued before. That’s not a coincidence. It’s a sign.

Fixing things once doesn’t mean you’re covered forever. If issues come back—especially the same ones—courts notice. And they’re less patient the second time around.

Digital accessibility training helps your team catch issues early, long before they show up in a legal complaint. It’s the difference between being reactive and being resilient.

Training Makes You Proactive, Not Dependent

When your team is trained, they can:
- Spot accessibility problems in real-time
- Design and code with accessibility in mind from the start
- Review content before it goes live—not after complaints roll in
Instead of waiting for a vendor audit (and the invoice that comes with it), you can handle it in-house. That means fewer delays, fewer emergencies, and fewer costs.

Digital accessibility training empowers your team to do accessibility right—the first time.

It’s Not Just the ADA Anymore

If your organization works with government agencies, serves international users, or plans to expand globally, accessibility compliance means more than just the ADA.

You’ve got:
- Section 508 in the U.S.
- EN 301 549 in the EU
- AODA in Ontario, Canada
- And, of course, WCAG, which ties it all together
Training helps your team navigate all of it. No guessing. No scrambling. Just smart, informed decisions that keep you compliant across borders.

Why Training Costs Less (and Does More) Than You Think

Hiring outside help every time something breaks? That adds up—fast.
- Emergency audits
- Last-minute fixes
- Legal consultations
- Brand damage
Now compare that to the cost of training your internal team once—and watching them catch and prevent those issues every day.

Digital accessibility training is a one-time investment that keeps paying off. It saves time, reduces legal risk, and builds real, lasting confidence across departments.

What 216digital’s Training Really Looks Like

At 216digital, we don’t do cookie-cutter courses. Your team isn’t generic—and your training shouldn’t be either.

Here’s what our digital accessibility training includes:
- Custom learning paths based on your CMS, platform, and team roles
- Modules for designers, developers, content creators, and PMs
- Real examples from your own website
- Practical tips that match the tools you already use
- Built-in support for the remediation work you’ve already completed
This isn’t about teaching theory. It’s about building confidence and making sure your site stays accessible.

Who Needs to Be Trained?

Short answer: anyone who touches your website. Because accessibility isn’t just a dev thing. It’s not just a design thing. It’s a whole team thing.
- Developers learn to code accessibly from the ground up
- Content creators learn how to format text, links, and images the right way
- Designers learn how to make inclusive choices from the start
- QA testers learn what to look for before pushing updates live
When the whole team is on the same page, accessibility becomes second nature—not an afterthought.

A Human Approach That Actually Sticks

At 216digital, we live this stuff. We’re developers, writers, testers, and designers just like you. We’ve seen how frustrating accessibility can be when it feels like a mystery—and we’re here to make it feel manageable.

Our digital accessibility training is:
- Practical – You’ll use what you learn right away
- Approachable – No jargon, no lectures, just real conversations
- Supportive – We’re here to help, not to judge
Accessibility is about people. So is training.

The Bottom Line: Keep What You’ve Built

You’ve already made a big investment in accessibility. Don’t let it fade over time.

Digital accessibility training is how you protect that work, reduce legal risk, and give your team the tools to move forward with confidence.

Let’s make sure your website stays inclusive—for everyone who needs it.

Ready to empower your team? Learn more and schedule a custom session at 216digital.com/216digit-training
Greg McNeil

April 30, 2025

Web Accessibility Training

Accessibility, Accessibility Training, Marketing, Web Accessibility, Web Accessibility Training, web development, Website Accessibility
Building Trust Through Data Privacy and Accessibility
Picture this: you’re on a checkout page, ready to buy, when a wall of legal text blocks the button and your screen reader can’t even find the “accept” link. Do you trust that site? Most shoppers don’t—and they bail. Privacy and accessibility shouldn’t be an either-or proposition; handled together, they build instant confidence.

Too often, users are forced to choose between protecting their personal information and navigating a website with ease. A confusing privacy policy here, an inaccessible cookie banner there—and just like that, trust starts to slip. At their core, data privacy and accessibility both ask the same questions: Are we being clear? Are we giving people control? Are we including everyone? When these two efforts work together, they create a better experience for every user.

This article explores how to align your site’s approach to data privacy and accessibility, why it matters, and what steps your team can take to build real trust from the very first click.

Why Data Privacy and Accessibility Align

Data privacy is about protecting what you learn from your visitors. Accessibility is about making sure they can actually use your website. On the surface, these may seem like different goals, but they share three core principles:
- Transparency – Tell users what you do.
- Control – Let them decide how much to share.
- Inclusion – Make every tool usable.
When people understand your policies and can reach every corner of your site—whether by mouse, keyboard, or screen reader—they’re more likely to stick around, make purchases, and return again.

A Quick Primer on U.S. Privacy Rules

Let’s zoom in for a moment on data privacy laws in the U.S. Several states now give residents clear rights over their data. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and its update, the CPRA, let users see, delete, or limit the sale of their personal details. Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, Virginia, and Oregon have passed similar laws.

Even if your company isn’t based in one of these states, chances are good that someone from those areas is visiting your site. Following the most comprehensive rules isn’t just about compliance—it’s the safest and smartest path forward for your brand.

What Accessibility Means Online

Accessibility means ensuring people with visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive disabilities can use your site. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) spell out how to do this, with best practices like:
- Keyboard navigation
- Clear headings and layout
- Adequate color contrast
- Captions or transcripts for videos and audio
It’s not just about doing the right thing. Courts have increasingly linked the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to public-facing websites. That makes accessibility both a quality goal and a legal imperative.

Where the Two Worlds Meet

Want to see where data privacy and accessibility collide? Just look at your cookie banner.

This is often the first thing visitors see—and it’s where trust can break in two. If the banner traps keyboard focus, lacks contrast, or can’t be closed without a mouse, users who rely on assistive tech may bounce before they even get started. In that moment, data privacy controls fail, and usability collapses.

It’s a missed opportunity. Done well, that same banner could build credibility and demonstrate respect—for choice and access alike.

Four Places Trust Can Break

Let’s look at four areas of your site where trust is most likely to falter—and how to fix it before it does.

1. Consent & Cookie Pop-Ups: The Front Door of Trust
- Say it out loud. Code the banner so screen readers announce the headline first—not the fine print.
- Keep the keyboard in the room. Maintain a clear focus ring so keyboard users never lose track.
- Use plain language. Simple buttons like “Accept,” “Decline,” and “Customize” make choices obvious.
2. Forms and Checkout
- Ask for only what you need. Don’t overreach with your data collection.
- Pair every field with a label. Avoid using placeholder text alone.
- Flag errors clearly. Use both text and color, and link error messages back to the form fields.
3. Analytics and Tracking
- Honor Do Not Track signals. Respect user intent where it’s expressed.
- Add opt-out links. Put them in your footer and make them keyboard accessible.
- Anonymize IPs. Avoid tying activity to identifiable users when possible.
4. Content Files
- Tag your PDFs. Make them searchable and readable.
- Scrub personal info. Clean downloadable files of names or sensitive data.
- Write great alt text. Describe visuals without exposing private details.
These aren’t extras—they’re basics. Nail them, and you’ll show visitors you care about both their data privacy and their ability to engage.

Building a Cross-Team Trust Framework

Trust isn’t built in one department—it’s a team effort. But in many organizations, legal, development, and marketing work in silos. That’s a recipe for gaps.

Instead, bring everyone to the table with shared goals:
- Legal writes policies in clear, eighth-grade reading level language. Add a short “Plain English Summary” at the top.
- Developers turn policy into practice. They build with WCAG 2.2 AA in mind, test with screen readers, and verify keyboard accessibility.
- Marketing respects consent signals. They use analytics tools that focus on aggregated data and avoid building detailed user profiles.
Hold short monthly standups. Each group should report progress on bounce rate, opt-out rate, and accessibility errors. When everyone has a number to own, priorities align.

Action Plan in Seven Steps

A combined data privacy and accessibility strategy doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a quick-start checklist:
1. Map every data touchpoint. Include forms, chats, analytics tools, and third-party scripts.
2. Run a joint audit. One checklist, two goals. Avoid duplicate work.
3. Fix high-risk issues first. Broken keyboard access on a checkout form can cost you sales—and get you sued.
4. Choose a consent platform that meets WCAG. Look for keyboard support and scalable font sizes.
5. Rewrite dense policy pages. Use short sentences, descriptive headers, and bullet points.
6. Train your team. Cover accessibility and data privacy in new hire orientation and quarterly refreshers.
7. Publish a changelog. Tell users when you update how their data is handled or how the site works. It shows you’re transparent.
Measuring Success

Trust is hard to measure—but not impossible. Here are a few indicators that your efforts are paying off:
- Fewer support tickets about navigation or login issues
- Lower cart abandonment rates
- Higher sign-ups after revising consent forms
- Better survey results when asking if users feel safe and included
Small gains in these areas show you’re on the right track. Over time, they compound into stronger customer relationships.

Final Thoughts

Trust isn’t just a design trend—it’s a survival strategy in modern e-commerce. When data privacy and accessibility go hand in hand, you create a website that feels safe, respectful, and inclusive.

And that kind of experience builds loyalty.

If you’d like a second set of eyes on both privacy and accessibility, let’s talk. At 216digital, we specialize in aligning accessibility and data privacy from the ground up. Together, we can help you build a site that earns trust from the first click—and keeps it long after the page loads.
Greg McNeil

April 25, 2025

Legal Compliance, Web Design & Development

California Consumer Privacy Act, data privacy, WCAG, web development, Website Accessibility
Accessible Form Validation: A Developer’s Guide
Forms are everywhere—login screens, signups, feedback surveys, checkout pages. They’re a cornerstone of user interaction on the web. But here’s the thing: if users can’t fill them out easily and accurately, your form isn’t just failing them—it’s failing your business.

That’s where accessible forms come in. Accessible forms aren’t just about ticking boxes for compliance—they’re about creating better experiences for everyone. Whether someone is using a screen reader, navigating with a keyboard, or dealing with cognitive or motor disabilities, your form should guide, inform, and support them from first click to final submit.

This guide will walk you through the essentials of accessible form validation, based on WCAG guidelines 3.3.1 through 3.3.4. No legalese—just practical advice you can implement today.

Meet the Guidelines: WCAG 3.3.1 to 3.3.4

Let’s simplify the four WCAG success criteria most relevant to form validation:
- 3.3.1 Error Identification: If something goes wrong, users need to know what happened and where it happened.
- 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions: Don’t make users guess. Tell them what’s required.
- 3.3.3 Error Suggestion: If they make a mistake, suggest how to fix it. Don’t just point and shake your digital finger.
- 3.3.4 Error Prevention: For serious forms (like taxes, legal documents, or financial data), build in checks to stop mistakes before they happen.
Together, these guidelines form the foundation of truly accessible forms.

Labeling: The First Step Toward Clarity

Every good form starts with clear, semantic labeling. You’re not just adding text—you’re defining meaning and context for both users and assistive technologies.
- Use the <label> element, and link it to the input with for="input-id" and id="input-id".
- Place labels above the form field, not beside or inside. It’s easier to scan and better supported by screen readers.
- Be concise but descriptive. Instead of “Name,” try “Full Name (First and Last).”
Skipping proper labels is one of the fastest ways to make your form inaccessible—and one of the easiest problems to fix.

Inline Error Messaging: Real-Time Feedback That Actually Helps

Don’t let users fill out a whole form only to learn they messed up three fields. Inline validation catches issues in real time, helping users correct them before they submit.
- Position error messages near the field—ideally right below or beside it.
- Keep the language helpful and plain: “Password must be at least 8 characters.”
- Use aria-live="polite" to announce error messages as they appear for screen readers.
This creates accessible forms that support users proactively instead of punishing them after the fact.

Don’t Skip aria-describedby

Want to add help text, error messages, or extra instructions that screen readers can pick up? Use aria-describedby.

This attribute lets you associate one or more descriptions with a form control. It’s a game-changer for accessible forms, especially when validation feedback or detailed guidance is involved.

Example:
```
<input id="email" aria-describedby="emailHelp emailError">
<small id="emailHelp">We'll never share your email.</small>
<span id="emailError">Email is required.</span>
```
You can dynamically update which IDs are referenced based on validation state, ensuring that assistive tech users always get the right context.

About Placeholders: Don’t Rely on Them Alone

We’ve all seen it: fields with placeholder text like “Enter your email,” and no label in sight. Here’s the problem: placeholders disappear as soon as users start typing—and that’s bad news for accessibility.

Use placeholders for examples, not for instruction.
- ✅ “example@example.com” is fine.
- ❌ “Enter your email address” as your only guidance? Not okay.
Also, watch your contrast ratios. Light gray placeholder text on a white background might look trendy, but it can fail WCAG color contrast guidelines—especially for users with low vision.

Smart Form Validation

Validation is about more than catching errors—it’s about building trust. If your form is flaky, unclear, or inconsistent, users will bounce.
- Use client-side validation (like HTML5 validation or JavaScript) for instant feedback.
- Always back it up with server-side validation to catch anything missed and guard against malicious input.
- Block submission until all required fields are valid—and clearly explain why a field isn’t.
Whether it’s a missed checkbox or a mistyped phone number, your form should guide users toward fixing the issue—not leave them guessing.

Crafting Helpful, Accessible Error Messages

Bad error messages are like bad customer service: unhelpful, vague, and frustrating. Let’s fix that.
- Be specific: “Username is required” > “Error.”
- Never rely on color alone (like red borders) to indicate problems. Use symbols (like ❗), text, or both.
- Keep error placement consistent—typically below the input or in the same visual region.
- Use simple language. If someone has to decode your error message, it’s not helping.
This clarity benefits everyone—from screen reader users to someone filling out your form on a noisy subway.

Test It Like You Mean It

Automated tools are great, but they only catch part of the picture.

Start with:
- Lighthouse for quick audits.
- WAVE for spotting contrast or structural issues.
Then go deeper:
- Run through the form with keyboard only—can you reach and complete every field?
- Try it with a screen reader (VoiceOver, NVDA, JAWS). Does it announce labels, instructions, and errors?
- Ideally, test with real users with disabilities. There’s no substitute for lived experience.
Accessible forms are never a “one-and-done” task. They’re a process—build, test, refine, repeat.

Keep Moving Toward More Accessible Forms

Every form you build is an opportunity to include—or exclude—someone. Whether it’s a simple newsletter signup or a detailed application, accessible forms ensure everyone gets a fair shot at completing the task.

This isn’t just about compliance. It’s about craftsmanship. It’s about building smarter, kinder digital experiences—ones that don’t leave users behind.

Need help building forms that meet WCAG standards and feel good to use? Connect with 216digital. We’ll help you create, audit, and refine accessible forms that work for every user—and every device.
Greg McNeil

April 18, 2025

How-to Guides

Accessibility, ADA Compliance, forms, How-to, WCAG, Web Accessibility, web development, Website Accessibility
How GDPR and CCPA Are Shaping Data Privacy
Data privacy isn’t a new concept. Businesses have been managing sensitive customer information for decades—through paper files, databases, CRMs, and now digital platforms. What has changed is the growing expectation that people should have control over their own data. Laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) didn’t invent data privacy—but they’ve redefined the standards.

These regulations are reshaping how organizations around the world approach data—how they collect it, store it, share it, and most importantly, how they communicate about it. If you’re leading a business, managing digital operations, or overseeing customer experience, understanding how these laws work isn’t just a compliance task—it’s a strategic advantage.

What the CCPA Introduced to U.S. Businesses

When the CCPA took effect in 2020, it marked a turning point for U.S.-based organizations. For the first time, there was a law that gave American consumers—not just businesses—clear, enforceable rights over their personal data. It caught many companies off guard.

California residents gained the legal right to:
- Know what personal information is being collected about them.
- Request the deletion of that information.
- Opt out of the sale of their data.
For businesses, this meant a new level of transparency. You needed to disclose how data was being used, offer clear opt-out tools, and ensure your privacy policies were not only accessible—but written in plain, understandable language.

This wasn’t just about legal boxes to check. It was about shifting power. CCPA put the customer in the driver’s seat.

A Ripple Effect Beyond California

Even though the CCPA is a state law, its impact has reached far beyond California’s borders. Why? Because any business that serves California residents—regardless of location—has to comply. And for companies with customers across the U.S., it simply made sense to raise privacy practices across the board.

That’s why CCPA didn’t stay a California issue. It sparked national conversations, boardroom discussions, and policy rewrites. It also paved the way for other states to create their own laws. Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah have already passed privacy regulations of their own. Each carries unique nuances, but most borrow heavily from the same foundational ideas introduced by the CCPA and GDPR.

The GDPR: Setting the Global Standard

Before CCPA came onto the scene, there was GDPR. Introduced by the European Union in 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation quickly became the global benchmark for data privacy.

Its scope was ambitious—and intentional. GDPR applies to any organization, anywhere in the world, that processes data from EU citizens. Whether you’re based in Paris, New York, or Singapore, if your business interacts with European customers, you’re expected to comply.

Core GDPR Requirements:
- Consent: Businesses must get clear, informed consent before collecting personal data.
- Right to Be Forgotten: Individuals can ask for their data to be deleted permanently.
- Breach Notification: Organizations must report data breaches within 72 hours.
- Data Portability: Consumers have the right to access and transfer their own data.
The GDPR’s influence is still growing. Many new laws—both in the U.S. and abroad—are built using GDPR as a model. And in the absence of a single U.S. federal privacy law, many organizations default to GDPR compliance as a way to meet the highest global standard.

GDPR vs. CCPA: Two Paths, One Direction

While GDPR and CCPA share the same underlying goal—giving people more control over their personal data—they approach it in different ways.

Who’s Affected?
- GDPR: Global reach. Applies to any company handling EU data.
- CCPA: U.S.-based, but applies to companies interacting with California residents.
Consumer Rights
- GDPR: Offers broad rights—access, deletion, correction, portability.
- CCPA: Emphasizes transparency, deletion, and the right to opt out of data sales.
Consent Models
- GDPR: Requires proactive, upfront permission.
- CCPA: Allows post-collection opt-outs, which can be more flexible for businesses but less direct for consumers.
The differences matter—but the direction is the same. Regulators are moving toward greater accountability, and consumers are demanding more clarity and control.

A Growing Patchwork of U.S. Laws

The U.S. now faces a growing number of state-level privacy laws, each with its own requirements and timelines. Virginia’s VCDPA, Colorado’s CPA, and Connecticut’s CTDPA are just a few of the new players. While many reflect GDPR or CCPA in principle, the details vary—and that’s where things get tricky.

For multi-state businesses, managing these differences isn’t just time-consuming—it can be a real risk. You’re not just dealing with technical updates to your website. You’re coordinating privacy notices, opt-out mechanisms, data retention policies, and more—often with overlapping or conflicting requirements.

A unified federal privacy law, like the proposed American Privacy Rights Act (APRA), could help simplify things. However, with delays in Congress and shifting political priorities, that kind of clarity is still out of reach.

What You Can Do Now

So what’s the path forward? The answer isn’t to wait for regulation to catch up—it’s to lead with purpose.

1. Map Your Data

Know what you’re collecting, where it’s stored, who has access, and why. Without a clear inventory, compliance is guesswork.

2. Strengthen Your Privacy Policy

Make sure your privacy policy is accurate, accessible, and written in plain language. Your customers—and regulators—should understand it without needing a legal degree.

3. Build in Flexibility

Invest in systems and processes that can adapt. Privacy laws will continue to evolve. Your infrastructure should be ready to scale with them.

4. Respect User Rights

Whether it’s a GDPR data access request or a CCPA opt-out form, your business should respond quickly, clearly, and respectfully. That responsiveness builds trust.

5. Lead with Transparency

Customers don’t expect perfection. But they do expect honesty. Be upfront about what data you collect and how you use it. When in doubt, over-communicate.

Final Thoughts

Data privacy isn’t a passing trend—it’s a defining feature of the modern digital experience. And laws like GDPR and CCPA aren’t just compliance checklists. They’re a signal that the world is changing, and that businesses are expected to change with it.

The companies that embrace this shift—proactively, strategically, and transparently—will be the ones that win customer trust and loyalty over the long term.

If you’re looking for help navigating this evolving landscape, 216digital is here to support you. Schedule a privacy and accessibility briefing with our team and take the first step toward smarter, future-ready data practices.
Greg McNeil

April 14, 2025

Legal Compliance, Web Design & Development

CCPA, data privacy, GDPR, web development
How to Use aria-describedby for Web Accessibility
Have you ever looked at a form, seen the bold text or red borders, and instantly known what to do next? That’s because as visual users, we get a lot of clues from layout, color, and spacing. But for someone using a screen reader, those visual hints don’t exist. Instead, they rely on code—programmatic clues—to make sense of what’s on the screen.

That’s where aria-describedby comes in. If you’ve ever struggled to make a form, button, or modal accessible, you’re not alone. aria-describedby is a powerful tool that helps users understand what’s happening—if you use it right.

In this article, I’ll walk you through how to use aria-describedby the right way. We’ll go through practical code examples, real use cases, and common mistakes. I’ll also show you how it ties into making things like captions and subtitles more accessible, especially for users with assistive technology.

Unpacking aria-describedby

aria-describedby lets you link an element to other content that gives extra detail. It points to the ID(s) of one or more elements that contain helpful text. Think of it like this:
- aria-labelledby gives something its name.
- aria-describedby gives it extra explanation.
If a screen reader sees an input with aria-describedby= "pw-hint", it will read the input label and the hint.

Why It’s Important

Used correctly, aria-describedby helps you meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) success criteria. It improves accessibility for users who rely on screen readers. It’s especially helpful when native HTML doesn’t cover all the information a user needs. This matters for users navigating complex interfaces—like forms, modals, or media players with captions and subtitles.

When Should You Use aria-describedby?
- Form fields: Add help text or error messages.
- Buttons: Clarify what will happen, especially for destructive actions.
- Dialogs/modals: Explain what the dialog is for.
- Tooltips: Offer extra information without cluttering the interface.
- Live status updates: Let users know when things change, like upload progress or loading indicators.
aria-describedby can even support captions and subtitles in video players by giving extra context for the screen reader user, describing what’s happening beyond the visual content.

When Not to Use It
- If HTML already does the job (like using <label> or <fieldset>).
- If it adds repetitive or unnecessary text.
Code Walkthroughs: Real-World Examples

Let’s get into some code. These examples show how to use aria-describedby in ways that make a real difference.

Form Fields

Password Requirements
```
<label for="pw">Password</label>
<input type="password" id="pw" aria-describedby="pw-hint">
<p id= "pw-hint">Password must be at least 12 characters long and include a number.</p>
```
Error Messages
```
<label for="email">Email address</label>
<input type="email" id="email" aria-invalid="true" aria-describedby="email-error">
<p id="email-error" class="error">Please enter a valid email address.</p>
```
Multiple Descriptions
```
<input type="text" id="username" aria-describedby="username-req username-tip">
<p id="username-req">Must be at least 8 characters.</p>
<p id="username-tip">Displayed on your profile.</p>
```
Buttons

Destructive Action Explanation
```
<button aria-describedby="delete-desc">Delete Account</button>
<p id= "delete-desc">This will permanently remove your account and all data.</p>
```
Dialogs and Modals

Accessible Dialog
```
<div role="dialog" aria-modal="true" aria-labelledby="dialogTitle" aria-describedby="dialogDesc">
  <h2 id="dialogTitle">Confirm Deletion</h2>
  <p id= "dialogDesc">This action is permanent and cannot be undone.</p>
</div>
```
Tooltips and Live Regions

Accessible Tooltip
```
<input type="text" id="first" aria-describedby="tip1">
<div id="tip1" role="tooltip">Optional field.</div>
```
Status Messages
```
<div aria-describedby="upload-status">
  <input type="file" onchange="showUploadStatus()">
  <div id="upload-status" aria-live="polite">Uploading...</div>
</div>
```
These techniques can also apply to custom media players. You can use aria-describedby to point to captions and subtitles that are visible on screen but also need to be announced programmatically.

Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Too Many Descriptions: Linking to 3 or 4 IDs might overwhelm users.
- Broken References: Make sure every ID you point to actually exists.
- Redundant Content: Don’t repeat what’s already in the label.
- Timing Issues: Don’t change the text dynamically during focus unless absolutely necessary.
- Inconsistent Patterns: Keep your approach consistent across similar components.
Best Practices for Effective Implementation
- Write Clear Descriptions: Keep them short, useful, and easy to understand.
- Avoid Jargon: Explain things in plain language.
- Keep Descriptions Visible: If possible, don’t hide the text—what helps screen reader users can help sighted users, too.
- Use Native HTML First: ARIA is a supplement, not a substitute.
- Test Often:
  - Use screen readers like NVDA, JAWS, and VoiceOver.
  - Test in browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
- Stay Consistent:
  - Create reusable components.
  - Document your design patterns.
  - Automate accessibility checks.
This also applies to any content with captions and subtitles—they should be clearly described in a way that works for both visual and non-visual users.

Beyond the Code: Organizational Tips
- Code Reviews Should Include Accessibility
- Use Linters and Audits: Tools like Google Lighthouse or WAVE to catch ARIA barriers.
- Add Accessibility to Your QA Checklist
- Train Your Team: Make sure everyone knows what ARIA does and doesn’t do.
If you’re building tools with captions and subtitles, include accessibility from the start. Don’t bolt it on later.

Accessible Descriptions, Better UX

aria-describedby is one of those quiet heroes of accessibility. It helps fill the gaps between what users see and what assistive tech can tell them.

Used well, it improves the user experience for everyone—not just people using screen readers. It’s especially helpful in forms, dialogs, and anything with captions and subtitles, where the added context can be critical.

So remember: use aria-describedby intentionally, test it thoroughly, and keep your patterns consistent. And if your team needs help making your site or app more accessible, 216digital offers expert guidance to help you meet compliance standards—while creating a better experience for all users.

Let’s keep building an internet that works for everyone. One line of code at a time.
Greg McNeil

April 11, 2025

How-to Guides

ARIA, aria-describedby, How-to, Web Accessibility, web developers, web development, Website Accessibility
eCommerce Accessibility: Cart & Checkout Best Practices
As a front-end developer, you already know how much the small stuff matters—clear labels, logical tab order, and meaningful feedback. These details don’t just polish the experience; they make the difference between a site that works for everyone and one that silently shuts people out. When it comes to eCommerce accessibility, gaps tend to show up in the usual suspects: shopping carts, forms, payment flows, and filters.

Below, we’ll explore common eCommerce accessibility gaps and show you how to fix them. You’ll see examples of HTML and ARIA attributes that make a real difference in usability—without requiring you to overhaul your entire site. Just clean, thoughtful code that helps your work reach more people, the way it’s meant to.

Why Accessibility Matters in E-Commerce

Better eCommerce accessibility results in a better user experience. When you streamline navigation, label form fields properly, and offer multiple payment methods, you’re benefiting everyone, not just shoppers with disabilities. You’re also opening your doors to more customers, including those who use screen readers, have limited mobility, or simply prefer an intuitive layout.

Beyond enhanced usability, there’s also the legal side. Lawsuits related to eCommerce accessibility are on the rise. Addressing accessibility from the start can help reduce legal risks, but the bigger win is ensuring all potential customers feel welcome in your store.

eCommerce accessibility often breaks down at a few critical points:
- Shopping carts with unclear or missing labels.
- Forms and checkouts that don’t offer proper error messages.
- Payment flows that are dependent on inaccessible CAPTCHAs or limited payment methods.
- Product filters that are keyboard-incompatible or lack clear feedback.
If you’re a developer responsible for these features, you’re in the perfect position to fix these problems. A few strategic lines of code or well-placed attributes can help transform a confusing checkout into a seamless experience for all.

Making Your Shopping Cart Work for Everyone

Add Clear Labels (Yes, Even for Buttons)

It’s a common oversight to have buttons or icons without descriptive text. Screen readers can’t interpret an icon unless you provide an aria-label or similar attribute. Give every button clear text or an invisible descriptor for assistive tech.
```
<button aria-label="Remove item from cart">
  Remove
</button>
```
This simple step ensures that anyone using a screen reader knows exactly what action they’re about to take.

Let People Update Cart Items Without Guesswork

Quantities, item removals, and other cart updates should be straightforward. If you’re using a numeric input, label it properly so a screen reader user knows what they’re adjusting.
```
<label for="quantity">Quantity:</label>
<input type="number" id="quantity" name="quantity" min="1" value="1">
```
When quantity fields are clearly labeled and keyboard-friendly, customers can adjust items easily—no mystery involved.

Show Helpful Feedback When Things Go Wrong

Errors happen: maybe a shopper enters an invalid quantity or tries to remove an item that’s no longer in stock. Instead of reloading the entire page (and frustrating users), use an aria-live region to announce errors in real-time:
```
<div role="alert" aria-live="assertive">
  Error: Please enter a valid quantity.
</div>
```
This alerts people using screen readers without forcing them to refresh or hunt for an error message.

Shipping Forms That Are Easy to Use (and Easy to Navigate)

Use Straightforward, Consistent Labels

Forms can become confusing if users aren’t sure what to type. Proper <label> tags tied to the correct inputs make a huge difference for both sighted customers and those using assistive tech.
```
<label for="address">Shipping Address:</label>
<input type="text" id="address" name="address">
```
When labels are descriptive and consistent throughout the form, everyone knows exactly what information to provide.

Make Sure Users Can Tab Through Fields Logically

Keyboard-only users often navigate by pressing the Tab key. If your form fields aren’t in a logical sequence, they’ll jump around unpredictably. Paying attention to the natural DOM order is usually enough, but if you must alter it, use tabindex carefully.

Show Errors Clearly and Offer Suggestions

Generic error messages like “Invalid input” force users to guess what they did wrong. Instead, offer specific guidance so people know exactly how to fix the issue:
```
<div role="alert">
  Error: ZIP code must be five digits.
</div>
```
This clarity benefits everyone, speeding up the checkout process and reducing frustration—two big wins for eCommerce accessibility.

Designing a Payment Flow That’s Smooth and Inclusive

Offer More Than One Way to Pay

Variety in payment methods—credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay, etc.—ensures different shoppers can complete purchases in a way that suits them. Some assistive technologies work better with certain payment platforms, so having options expands your customer reach.

If You Use CAPTCHAs, Make Them Accessible

Nothing derails a checkout faster than an inaccessible CAPTCHA. If possible, rely on server-side checks. If you do need a CAPTCHA, consider offering an audio version or a more user-friendly alternative. This prevents people with disabilities from being locked out at the final step of their eCommerce accessibility journey.

Choose Accessible Payment Gateways

Third-party payment platforms can introduce new accessibility issues. Do a quick review to ensure any external gateway meets basic WCAG standards and is compatible with screen readers and other assistive tools. Even the best checkout flow can fail if the final payment step isn’t accessible.

Don’t Let Product Filters Be a Barrier

Make Filters Keyboard-Friendly

Checkboxes, sliders, and dropdowns all need to be navigable via keyboard. That means ensuring users can Tab to each control, use arrow keys for sliders, and press Enter or Space to toggle checkboxes or confirm a selection.

Let Users Know What Filters Are Applied

Always make it clear which filters are currently active, both visually and programmatically (via ARIA attributes). This helps sighted users and people using screen readers track their selections and remove or adjust filters easily.

Stick to Native HTML Controls When Possible

While custom-styled checkboxes and radio buttons can look appealing, they often introduce accessibility quirks. Native HTML elements are easier to make accessible:
```
<fieldset>
  <legend>Filter by Size</legend>
  <label><input type="checkbox" name="size" value="small"> Small</label>
  <label><input type="checkbox" name="size" value="medium"> Medium</label>
  <label><input type="checkbox" name="size" value="large"> Large</label>
</fieldset>
```
You can style them to fit your brand while ensuring they work out of the box for most assistive tech. It’s one of the easiest ways to improve eCommerce accessibility.

Testing and Validating Your Work

Start with Automated Tools (But Don’t Stop There)

Tools like Google Lighthouse and WAVE are great starting points. They scan for many common issues, but automated tests can’t cover everything, especially more nuanced user interactions.

Test Manually with Real Assistive Tech

Grab a screen reader like NVDA (Windows) or VoiceOver (Mac). Try using only your keyboard to navigate the site. This hands-on approach reveals a lot about real-world usability that automated checks might miss—especially in areas related to eCommerce accessibility.

Get Feedback from Real Users

If you can, involve people with disabilities in your testing. Their direct experience helps pinpoint issues you might never notice on your own. Real-world feedback is invaluable for refining the shopping journey.

Small Fixes, Big Impact

Building an accessible eCommerce site doesn’t require a complete overhaul. Most improvements, like adding clear labels or structuring forms properly, are quick, incremental changes in your code. These small fixes can significantly enhance the experience for shoppers who rely on assistive technology—and often make the site more pleasant for everyone else as well.

If you want more detailed guidance or an expert review, there are plenty of resources on WCAG and web.dev. You can also team up with 216digital, where we specialize in making sure online stores meet eCommerce accessibility standards from start to finish. Whether you need help with checkout flows, product filtering, or a full-site audit, our team is here to ensure every shopper can complete their purchase with ease.

Remember: inclusive design isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a mindset. By prioritizing eCommerce accessibility at each step of your development process, you’ll build online shopping experiences that truly welcome everyone. And that’s good business for everyone involved.
Greg McNeil

April 4, 2025

How-to Guides

Accessibility, ecommerce website, How-to, WCAG Compliance, Web Accessibility, web developers, web development, Website Accessibility

What Is WCAG — and Why It Matters

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

Why the Idea of Certification Still Matters

What You Can Get Instead: Real Accessibility Certifications

Real Accessibility Is About Practical Action

Run Regular Accessibility Audits

Fix High-Impact Issues First

Bake Accessibility Into Development

Publish a Public Statement

Train Your Content Team

Should You Be Chasing WCAG Certification?

Accessibility Partners Can Make the Difference

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

What a False Positive Really Is

The Hidden Costs of False Positives

Time and Budget Drain

Erosion of Trust in Tools

Legal and Reputational Risks

Practical Steps to Minimize False Positives

Choose Tools Carefully

Combine Automated Testing with Manual Checks

Educate and Empower Your Team

Shift Accessibility Testing Left

Engage Accessibility Specialists

A True Positive Path Forward

The Common Ground

Using aria-label: Direct and Hidden

aria-labelledby: Harness Visible Content

Picking the Right Attribute

Common Mistakes (And How to Dodge Them)

Performance and Maintenance Tips

Advanced Label Composition

Testing Your Accessible Names

Wrapping Up: Making Strategic Choices

What Are Disclosure and Accordion Widgets?

Disclosure Widgets: Simple, Native, and Often Overlooked

Accordion Widgets: More Complex, More Control

Accessibility Considerations Developers Must Prioritize

Keyboard Navigation That Works for Everyone

Use Semantic Elements—Always

Add ARIA Where Needed, Not Everywhere

Common Accessibility Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Best Practices for Developers

Start with Progressive Enhancement

Prioritize Focus Visibility

Avoid Overengineering with ARIA

Test Like a User

Real-World Application: From Good to Great

Wrapping It Up

Why Accessibility Isn’t “One and Done”

The Legal Stakes: Second-Time Lawsuits Are Surging

Training Makes You Proactive, Not Dependent

It’s Not Just the ADA Anymore

Why Training Costs Less (and Does More) Than You Think

What 216digital’s Training Really Looks Like

Who Needs to Be Trained?

A Human Approach That Actually Sticks

The Bottom Line: Keep What You’ve Built

Why Data Privacy and Accessibility Align

A Quick Primer on U.S. Privacy Rules

What Accessibility Means Online

Where the Two Worlds Meet

Four Places Trust Can Break

1. Consent & Cookie Pop-Ups: The Front Door of Trust

2. Forms and Checkout

3. Analytics and Tracking

4. Content Files

Building a Cross-Team Trust Framework

Action Plan in Seven Steps

Measuring Success

Final Thoughts

Meet the Guidelines: WCAG 3.3.1 to 3.3.4

Labeling: The First Step Toward Clarity

Inline Error Messaging: Real-Time Feedback That Actually Helps

Don’t Skip aria-describedby

About Placeholders: Don’t Rely on Them Alone

Smart Form Validation

Crafting Helpful, Accessible Error Messages

Test It Like You Mean It

Keep Moving Toward More Accessible Forms

`aria-labelledby`: Harness Visible Content

Don’t Skip `aria-describedby`