How to Make a WordPress Website Accessible

WordPress powers over 43% of all websites on the internet. This makes accessibility especially important, since so many people depend on WordPress-powered sites every day.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the key steps you need to take to make your WordPress website accessible, from selecting the right foundation to testing your site regularly.

An accessible WordPress website is one that everyone, including people with disabilities, can use without barriers. Visitors can read your content, navigate pages, and interact with features smoothly, whether they use a mouse, keyboard, screen reader, or other assistive technology.

At a technical level, accessibility means your site follows the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and applies the POUR principles.

• Perceivable: Present content in ways users can sense, such as through sight, sound, or touch.
• Operable: Design navigation and features so people can use them with different input methods.
• Understandable: Keep content and interfaces clear, consistent, and easy to follow.
• Robust: Write code that works reliably across browsers, devices, and assistive technologies.

When you apply these principles, your WordPress site not only meets accessibility standards but also delivers a better experience for all visitors.

1. Choose an accessible theme
2. Use plugins that follow accessibility best practices
3. Follow accessibility best practices in design and structure
4. Create accessible content
5. Test and monitor your website regularly

We’ll go through each of these steps in detail below, with practical tips to follow.

1. Choose an accessible theme

Your theme sets the foundation for accessibility as you build and launch a website. With an accessible theme, you can build an inclusive website more easily. But if your theme isn’t accessible, you’ll face barriers from the start and may need to fix or replace it later.

Next, let’s look at what to do for new and existing websites.

For a new website

Choose an accessibility-ready theme right from the start. You can find free options in the WordPress directory or paid themes on marketplaces like ThemeForest. Always test a theme before committing, and if you need help, there’s a guide on choosing accessible themes.

For an existing website

You have two options.

One, you can switch to an accessibility-ready theme, which gives you a stronger foundation going forward. The upside is that you start fresh with cleaner, standards-based code. The downside is that switching themes can be time-consuming and may require redesign work.

Two, you can work on improving your current theme by fixing common issues. The positive is that you keep your existing design and avoid a full rebuild. But the challenge is that patching an inaccessible theme can be tricky and might not resolve all issues.

Based on your website’s needs, resources, and priorities, you can choose which route to go. Tools like WebYes can help by scanning your site, flagging accessibility issues, and guiding you on what needs fixing, whether you’re starting over or improving what you already have.

2. Use plugins that follow accessibility best practices

Plugins can weaken your site’s accessibility if they add or modify code in ways that create barriers. To avoid this, only use plugins that follow accessibility best practices. The best way to be sure is by testing them on your own site.

It’s also worth mentioning that there are plugins designed specifically to improve accessibility. For example, tools like Accessibility Toolkit can help fill common gaps by adding features such as skip links, visible focus styles, or better form labels.

So, while you can use accessibility plugins to enhance your site, remember they are only a supplement, not a complete solution.

3. Follow accessibility best practices in design and structure

Your site’s underlying structure plays a big role in accessibility. The way you handle navigation, forms, colour contrast, and interactive elements determines whether people with disabilities can use your website smoothly.

Here are some of the most important structural best practices to follow:

Area	Best Practice	Why It Matters
Landmarks	Use <header>, <nav>, <main>, <footer> and ARIA labels for repeated sections	Gives assistive tech clear navigation points
Skip Links	Add a “Skip to content” link visible on focus	Lets keyboard users bypass repeated menus quickly
Colour Contrast	Maintain WCAG 2.1 AA ratios (4.5:1 for text, 3:1 for large text)	Ensures readability for users with low vision
Forms	Label every input, group related fields, provide clear error messages	Makes forms usable for screen readers and keyboard users
Semantic HTML	Use correct tags for lists, quotes, dates, etc.	Ensures assistive tech can interpret content correctly
Tables	Only for tabular data, use <caption> and <th> with scope attributes	Communicates structure of data to screen readers
Buttons & Controls	Use <button> for actions, <a> for links, add ARIA states	Keeps interactive elements keyboard- and screen reader-friendly
Multimedia	Avoid autoplay, add captions and transcripts, provide controls	Makes audio/video usable for deaf, hard-of-hearing, or blind users
Animations	Provide pause/stop controls, respect reduced-motion setting	Prevents motion sickness and distraction
Keyboard Navigation	Test with Tab, Enter, and arrow keys, ensure visible focus	Ensures non-mouse users can navigate fully

4. Create accessible content

Even with a solid theme, plugins, and structure, accessibility can break down if the content itself isn’t created with accessibility in mind. As an author, the way you write, format, and describe your content directly affects usability.

Here are the key content practices that make your site more accessible:

Area	Best Practice	Why It Matters
Headings	Use one H1 per page, nest H2–H6 properly, don’t skip levels	Provides clear structure for screen readers
Links	Use descriptive text, avoid “click here,” underline links in content	Gives context when scanned out of order
Alt Text	Add meaningful alt text to images; use alt=”” for decorative ones	Screen readers announce image content for blind users
Transcripts & Captions	Provide transcripts for audio and captions for video	Makes media accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing users
Clear Writing	Use plain, concise language and short sentences	Helps users with cognitive disabilities and improves readability for all

5. Test and monitor your website regularly

Accessibility is not something you fix once and forget. Even if your website uses an accessibility-ready theme, well-built plugins, and carefully created accessible content, future updates and changes to your site can still introduce new issues.

Testing is the only way to know if your WordPress website is truly accessible. Regular checks help you catch and fix issues before they affect users. As a best practice, aim to test your site for accessibility at least once every three months.

Here are the three main ways to test your site:

• Run automated scans: Use automated accessibility testing tools to quickly detect common issues such as missing alt text, low colour contrast, or heading errors.
• Perform manual checks: Navigate your site with a keyboard and use a screen reader to check reading order and labels on interactive elements.
• Do user testing: If possible, involve people with disabilities who use assistive technologies. Their feedback can uncover barriers that tools alone won’t detect.

No single method is enough on its own. Automated tools are fast but limited, manual checks require patience, and user testing gives real-world insights. Together, they provide the most reliable way to ensure your WordPress website stays accessible.

Making a WordPress website accessible doesn’t happen with a single step.

It takes the right foundation, careful choices, and regular testing. By choosing an accessibility-ready theme, using well-built plugins, creating accessible content, and monitoring your site over time, you set up your website to work for everyone.

When you focus on accessibility, you build a web that welcomes everyone. Each step you take removes barriers and opens your website to more people. The effort pays off in a stronger user experience, wider reach, and a site that truly serves all visitors.