WEB ACCESSIBILITY
Shopify’s Advice
While Shopify provides tools for developers to optimize themes for accessibility, they recognize that most store owners are not developers.
Developers should use Shopify’s tools and best practices to enhance theme accessibility. If you’re not a developer, it’s essential to seek professional help to ensure your store meets accessibility standards.
Limitations of Shopify Apps
Unfortunately, no app or widget can fully make a website ADA compliant or replace the need for a comprehensive approach to accessibility. Many apps and widgets are limited and may give a false sense of security about compliance and accessibility. However, using these apps can demonstrate your effort toward accessibility. We recommend the following apps: Example 1, Example 2.
Understanding ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) aims to ensure that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else, including access to online resources. Approximately 20% of the U.S. population identifies as having a disability, making ADA compliance not only a legal requirement but also a crucial aspect of customer service.
The Only Reliable Solution
The best way to ensure your site is accessible is through a manual audit and remediation by a qualified developer.
We recommend using tools like WAVE by WebAIM for initial scans. These tools are also commonly used by legal professionals to identify non-compliance issues.
At Hartt Commerce, we specialize in helping Shopify store owners achieve and maintain ADA compliance. Using tools like WAVE by WebAIM, we identify and fix accessibility issues to protect your business from litigation. Contact us for a free audit and quote to fix your Shopify theme and content.
Need Help?Practical Tips for Maintaining Accessibility
- Use alt tags for all images.
- Ensure all PDFs are accessible.
- Implement contrasting colors and legible fonts.
- Avoid auto-playing videos.
- Display an accessibility statement and policy on your site.
- While using accessibility apps like Accessibly or accessiBe can help, they should not be your sole reliance.
