Making Shopify E-commerce Accessible

It's the right thing to do... and a legal imperative!

With the digital landscape rapidly evolving, e-commerce has become a dominant force in retail. This provides incredible convenience and choice for consumers, but it can leave those who face challenges navigating online stores due to disabilities behind.

This is where accessibility comes in – ensuring a user-friendly experience for everyone, regardless of ability.

The Social Responsibility and Why Accessibility Matters

Accessibility isn't just a legal requirement; it's a social responsibility and here's why:

1. Inclusion of the Disabled

Over 1 billion people globally experience some form of disability. By prioritizing accessibility, businesses tap into a vast, diverse customer base often overlooked.

2. Your Brand Image

Demonstrating a commitment to accessibility creates a positive brand image, fostering trust and loyalty from customers who value inclusivity.

3. Improved User Experience

Accessible design principles often benefit everyone, not just those with disabilities. For example, clear labeling and keyboard navigation can enhance the experience for all users.

The Legal Landscape and Navigating Compliance

While the social responsibility case for accessibility is strong, there's a legal dimension as well. Many countries have regulationsmandating varying levels of accessibility for online platforms. Understanding these regulations is crucial for e-commerce businesses.

🇺🇸 North America

The  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) doesn't explicitly cover websites, but courts have increasingly interpreted it to apply to online businesses. The Department of Justice (DOJ) offers non-binding guidelines on web accessibility.

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) provides international standards for web accessibility.

🇪🇺 Europe

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) requires websites and mobile apps of public sector bodies to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards. EU member states are also encouraged to adopt similar legislation for the private sector.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

The Equality Act 2010 requires reasonable adjustments to be made to avoid discrimination against disabled users. The government also encourages following WCAG standards.

It Goes Beyond Accessibility Overlays - Embracing Best Practices

While some overlay solutions can address some accessibility issues, these tools can pose some compatibility issues with assistive technologies, creating a superficial layer of accessibility with the real accessibility coming from more deliberate efforts

True accessibility comes from building practices into the development process from the very beginning. This includes:

Keyboard Navigation: Ensuring all interactive elements (menus, buttons, forms) can be navigated and activated using a keyboard only is essential for users with motor impairments.

Screen Reader Compatibility: Content needs to be structured and presented clearly so screen readers can accurately interpret and convey information to users who are blind or visually impaired.

Alternative Text Descriptions: Images should have clear and concise "alt text" descriptions that convey the image's content to users who rely on screen readers.

Color Contrast: Color combinations with sufficient contrast are essential for users with visual impairments, including those with color blindness.

Clear and Concise Language: Using plain language and avoiding jargon ensures users with cognitive disabilities can understand product descriptions and instructions.

Building an Accessible Culture

Accessibility isn't just a technical hurdle; it's a cultural shift. Here's how businesses can foster accessibility:

1. Accessibility Training
   Educate developers, designers, and content creators on accessibility best practices and relevant regulations.
2. User Testing
   Include users with disabilities in the testing process to identify and address accessibility issues early on.
3. Regular Monitoring
   Continuously evaluate the website and mobile app for accessibility and address new issues as they arise.
4. Commitment from Leadership
   Strong leadership buy-in is crucial for allocating resources and building a culture of accessibility within the organization.

Accessibility Solutions - How AI Can Drive Inclusion

Unlike other overlays, accessiBe’s accessWidget uses two applications that work together to make both front & backend adjustments. Here's how:

1. Front End
   The widget interface takes care of all user interface, design, and feature preferences for website visitors, and provides documentation of a given site's accessibility status
2. Back End
   Also included with the accessWidget, the AI-powered process handles the complex requirements - optimization for screen readers and keyboard navigation

As an accessiBe partner, we’re also happy to share that their accessWidget is available on Shopify: Make your store accessible for all: AI-powered solution for WCAG & ADA compliance

Making Your Shopify Store Accessible

Shopify offers a robust platform for building e-commerce stores, but achieving accessibility requires a proactive approach beyond the platform's basic functionalities. Here's a breakdown of how Shopify store owners can make their stores accessible:

Leveraging Shopify's Built-in Features:

Shopify offers some built-in features that can be utilized to enhance accessibility:

1. Theme Customization
   Most Shopify themes allow for some level of customization, including color contrast adjustments and font size modifications. Utilize these options to ensure your chosen theme adheres to accessibility guidelines.
2. Alternative Text
   Shopify allows adding alt text descriptions to product images and other visuals directly within the admin panel. This is crucial for screen reader users.
3. Heading Structure
   Utilize the built-in heading hierarchy options (H1, H2, etc.) to properly structure your content. This improves navigation for screen reader users and enhances overall website organization.
4. Automated Image Descriptions
   Shopify offers apps that utilize AI to generate automatic alt text descriptions for product images. While not a perfect solution, it can provide a starting point and save time.

Beyond the Built-ins - Essential Accessibility Practices for Shopify Stores

Here's where you move beyond Shopify's basic features and embrace best practices:

1. Keyboard Navigation
   Ensure all interactive elements (menus, buttons, forms) can be navigated and activated using only the keyboard. Test your store thoroughly using keyboard navigation alone.
2. Focus States
   Implement clear focus states that indicate which element is currently in focus when using the keyboard. This helps users with motor impairments understand where their interaction will occur.
3. Error Messages
   Provide clear and actionable error messages for form submissions and other user interactions. These messages should be easily understandable by users with cognitive disabilities.
4. Logical Layout
   Organize your store's layout logically, with clear navigation menus and a consistent structure across all pages. This makes it easier for users with cognitive disabilities to navigate the website.
5. Mobile Responsiveness
   Ensure your Shopify store is fully responsive and adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes and devices. This caters to users who rely on assistive technologies like screen readers on mobile devices.

Utilizing Accessibility Tools and Resources:

Several tools and resources can aid Shopify store owners in achieving accessibility:

1. Shopify Accessibility Checklist: accessiBe provides a helpful accessibility checklist that outlines key areas to focus on.
2. WCAG Compliance Tools: Tools like WAVE or the AChecker extension for web browsers can scan your Shopify store and identify potential accessibility issues.
3. Accessibility Audits: Consider professional accessibility audits conducted by specialists who can provide a comprehensive evaluation and remediation plan.

Remember: Accessibility is an ongoing process. Regularly test your store with assistive technologies and involve users with disabilities in the testing process to identify and address any lingering issues.

The Business Case for Accessibility on Shopify

By making your Shopify store accessible, you unlock a wider customer base and gain a competitive edge. Here's a breakdown of the benefits:

1. Increased Sales
   A significant portion of the population experiences some form of disability. By catering to this audience, you open doors to a larger pool of potential customers.
2. Enhanced Brand Reputation
   Demonstrating a commitment to accessibility portrays your brand in a positive light, fostering trust and loyalty from customers who value inclusivity.
3. Improved SEO
   Accessible websites often rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) as search engines consider accessibility a factor.
4. Reduced Legal Risk
   While not a guaranteed shield, taking steps toward accessibility can help mitigate legal risks associated with accessibility lawsuits.

Conclusion

Making your Shopify store accessible is not only the right thing to do but also a smart business decision. By following the steps outlined above and embracing a culture of accessibility, you can create an inclusive shopping experience that benefits everyone. Remember, accessibility is a journey, not a destination. Continuously evaluate and improve your store to ensure everyone has a convenient and enjoyable shopping experience on your Shopify platform.

If you need assistance with the accessibility of your e-commerce store, reach out to us here or simply email us.

Cover Photo by charlesdeluvio.