Accessibility goes far beyond visual design. In WordPress projects, themes and plugins play a key role in either enabling — or breaking — an inclusive browsing experience. This session presents a practical technical checklist that developers, QA professionals, and site maintainers can use to test and validate the accessibility of any WordPress theme or plugin, whether during development, audits, or ongoing site maintenance.
The presentation demonstrates how to combine automated testing tools such as Axe, WAVE, and tota11y with manual techniques, including keyboard navigation, screen reader testing, and semantic HTML inspection. Attendees will learn how to identify common accessibility issues introduced by popular plugins and understand how to select or fix themes that align with WCAG guidelines.
The session also covers the role of external assistive technologies that can enhance accessibility — including overlay solutions that add features such as built-in screen readers, contrast adjustments, and simplified navigation. While these tools may help users on partially accessible websites, they are not a substitute for properly implemented code and robust accessibility testing.
This talk includes real-world examples, free tools, and actionable recommendations, offering valuable insights for anyone working with WordPress who aims to build more accessible digital experiences.
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