Making Your Shopify Store WCAG 2.1 AA Compliant

Making Your Shopify Store WCAG 2.1 AA Compliant: A Comprehensive Guide

Ensuring your Shopify ecommerce store meets WCAG 2.1 AA compliance standards is crucial for providing equal access to all users, regardless of their abilities. While Shopify’s default themes and features aren’t fully compliant with these accessibility standards out of the box, implementing a systematic approach to update your store can help you achieve compliance. This comprehensive guide outlines the necessary steps to transform your regular Shopify store into one that meets WCAG 2.1 AA standards, addressing both the technical code modifications and content adjustments required.

Initial Assessment and Planning

1. Conduct an Accessibility Audit

Use automated tools like WAVE, axe, or Lighthouse to identify basic accessibility issues
Document all accessibility issues found across your site [3]
Create a prioritized list of issues to address based on severity and impact [4]

2. Choose an Accessible Theme

Select a theme that’s designed with accessibility in mind or is closer to WCAG compliance
Consider themes specifically marketed as “accessible” or “ADA-compliant” [1]
Verify the theme’s accessibility claims through testing before purchase [3]

3. Develop an Implementation Plan

Create a timeline for addressing all identified issues
Allocate resources for technical development and content updates
Establish a testing protocol for ongoing compliance verification [4]

Technical Code Modifications

4. Semantic HTML Structure

Ensure proper heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3, etc.) throughout the site
Use appropriate HTML5 semantic elements (nav, header, footer, main, etc.)
Implement proper landmark regions for screen readers [2]
Review and fix any invalid HTML that could cause accessibility issues [3]

5. Keyboard Navigation and Focus Management

Ensure all interactive elements are keyboard accessible
Implement visible focus indicators that meet contrast requirements
Create logical tab order throughout the site
Add skip navigation links to bypass repetitive content [4]
Test all functionality using keyboard-only navigation [3]

6. Form Accessibility

Add proper labels for all form fields
Include error identification and suggestions for correction
Implement ARIA attributes where appropriate
Ensure form validation messages are accessible to screen readers [2]
Add instructions for complex forms or fields [4]

7. Color and Contrast

Ensure text meets minimum contrast ratios (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text)
Avoid using color alone to convey information
Update theme CSS to address contrast issues
Test color combinations with contrast checkers [3]
Provide alternative visual indicators besides color [1]

8. Responsive Design and Text Resizing

Ensure content is accessible when zoomed to 200%
Implement responsive design that works across devices
Allow text to be resized without breaking layout
Test site at various zoom levels and viewport sizes [2]

9. ARIA Implementation

Add appropriate ARIA landmarks, roles, and properties
Implement ARIA for dynamic content and custom widgets
Ensure proper use of aria-hidden, aria-expanded, aria-controls attributes
Test ARIA implementation with screen readers [4]
Avoid redundant ARIA that duplicates native HTML semantics [3]

Content Modifications

10. Image Accessibility

Add descriptive alt text for all informational images
Use empty alt attributes for decorative images
Ensure complex images have extended descriptions when needed
Add captions or transcripts for infographics [3]
Avoid text embedded within images [1]

11. Video and Audio Content

Provide captions for all video content
Add audio descriptions for videos when necessary
Include transcripts for audio content
Ensure media players are keyboard accessible
Add proper controls for pausing, stopping, and adjusting volume [2]

12. Text Content

Use clear, simple language when possible
Break up long content with headings and lists
Avoid justified text alignment
Ensure sufficient line spacing and paragraph breaks
Use descriptive link text instead of “click here” or “read more” [4]

13. Tables and Data

Use proper table markup with headers and scope attributes
Avoid using tables for layout purposes
Add captions and summaries for complex tables
Ensure data tables are understandable when linearized [1]

Advanced Technical Requirements

14. Dynamic Content and AJAX

Implement ARIA live regions for dynamic content updates
Ensure screen readers are notified of important content changes
Make all dynamically loaded content accessible
Test all interactive features with assistive technology [3]

15. Custom JavaScript Widgets and Components

Ensure all custom components follow WAI-ARIA authoring practices
Implement keyboard event handlers for custom interactive elements
Test all custom components with screen readers
Provide fallbacks for users with JavaScript disabled [2]

16. Error Prevention and Recovery

Implement form validation with clear error messages
Allow users to review, correct, and confirm submissions
Provide contextual help for complex interactions
Ensure error messages are programmatically associated with form fields [4]

17. Mobile Accessibility

Test touch targets for minimum size (44px by 44px)
Ensure proper spacing between interactive elements
Test with mobile screen readers (VoiceOver, TalkBack)
Implement proper viewport settings [1]

Implementation and Testing

18. Code Implementation

Modify theme files to address structural issues
Update CSS for contrast and focus states
Add necessary JavaScript for accessibility features
Document all code changes for future reference [3]

19. Content Updates

Review and update all product descriptions
Add alt text to all product images
Update blog posts and static pages for accessibility
Train content creators on accessibility best practices [2]

20. Comprehensive Testing

Test with multiple screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver)
Conduct keyboard-only navigation testing
Perform testing with users who have disabilities
Use automated tools as a supplement to manual testing [4]
Document and address all issues found during testing [1]

21. Documentation and Training

Create an accessibility statement for your website
Document accessibility features and how to use them
Train staff on maintaining accessibility in future updates
Establish a process for addressing accessibility feedback [3]

Ongoing Maintenance

22. Regular Audits

Schedule periodic accessibility reviews
Test new features before deployment
Stay updated on WCAG guidelines and changes
Monitor user feedback related to accessibility [2]

23. Content Creation Guidelines

Develop accessibility guidelines for content creators
Implement approval processes that include accessibility checks
Create templates that enforce accessible content structure
Provide tools for content creators to check their work [4]

24. Third-Party App Evaluation

Review all Shopify apps for accessibility before installation
Contact app developers about accessibility concerns
Replace inaccessible apps with accessible alternatives
Test third-party integrations thoroughly [1]

Summary

Making your Shopify store WCAG 2.1 AA compliant requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both technical code and content accessibility. While the process may seem daunting, breaking it down into manageable tasks and addressing them systematically will help you achieve compliance over time. Remember that accessibility is not a one-time project but an ongoing commitment to inclusive design. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll not only make your store more accessible to people with disabilities but also improve the overall user experience for all customers, potentially increasing your customer base and sales while reducing legal risks associated with non-compliance.

Sources:

[1]: https://community.shopify.com/c/shopify-discussions/how-to-ensure-ada-and-wcag-compliance-on-my-shopify-store/td-p/987886

[2]: https://www.shopify.com/partners/blog/theme-store-accessibility-requirements

[3]: https://accessible.org/shopify-ada-compliance/

[4]: https://www.audioeye.com/post/shopify-ada-compliant/

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