Make accessibility part of the project brief
Include accessibility goals before selecting a platform, template or vendor. Identify the tasks visitors need to complete and the standards or obligations that apply to the organization. Use WCAG as a technical reference, but obtain qualified accessibility and legal advice for requirements that are specific to the business.
Assign an owner for content and testing. Ask vendors how they handle keyboard navigation, semantic headings, focus states, form labels, error messages, captions and contrast. A statement that a theme is “accessible” should be supported by tests on the actual site and its specific content.
Test real tasks with different ways of using the site
Navigate with a keyboard, zoom the page and test it on a phone. Check that menus and dialogs can be opened and closed, focus remains visible, and the reading order makes sense. Try submitting forms with missing or incorrect information and make sure errors explain how to recover.
Where possible, invite people who use assistive technology to test important journeys. Automated scanning can identify some code issues, but it cannot fully evaluate meaning, clarity or whether a real visitor can complete a task. Keep a record of findings and retest after updates.
Review content and media, not only components
Use descriptive page titles and headings, clear link text, captions for meaningful video and alternatives for informative images. Do not rely on colour alone to communicate status or place essential wording inside a graphic. Plain language can help people understand complex services and instructions.
Review third-party widgets, payment forms, maps and chat tools. A website can be accessible in its main navigation but fail when a third-party booking system is added. Ask vendors for current accessibility information and test the complete customer journey rather than only the homepage.
Keep the improvements alive
Create a short content checklist for employees who publish pages. Review new components before release, keep known issues in a backlog and prioritize barriers that prevent a customer from completing an important task. Provide an accessible alternative or contact route while a major issue is being fixed.
Treat accessibility as routine quality work rather than a one-time badge or legal checkbox. Update the plan as the site and standards evolve. A 2027 review can set the direction, but the business should continue testing whenever content, templates or customer workflows change.
Practical checklist
- Include accessibility acceptance criteria in design and development briefs.
- Test keyboard, zoom, mobile, forms and assistive technology on real tasks.
- Review content, media and third-party widgets.
- Retest after updates and assign owners to outstanding barriers.
In short
Accessibility is a continuing practice. Start with the customer task, test the actual site and avoid relying on a template label as proof.
This article is general educational information, not legal, privacy, cybersecurity or financial advice. Confirm requirements for your situation with a qualified professional.