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Is your online Shopify Store ADA Compliant?

ShopAccessible.com — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 21:28:21 +0000

In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, it is easy for merchants to get lost in the aesthetics of their online Shopify store without ensuring it’s ADA compliant. We obsess over high-resolution product photography, sleek themes, and seamless checkout experiences. However, a recent case highlighted in our latest video analysis serves as a stark warning to Shopify merchants and e-commerce business owners everywhere: a beautiful website that is not accessible is a legal liability.

We recently took a closer look at Between the Sheets Inc., a luxury bedding and home décor retailer that recently received an ADA compliance lawsuit. Despite having a visually stunning website featuring high-quality images of Egyptian cotton sheets and Italian-crafted linens, the site failed to meet critical accessibility standards. The result? A federal lawsuit alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

In this article, we will break down exactly what went wrong, why Shopify store owners need to pay attention, and the specific steps you can take today to protect your business.

ADA Compliant

The Legal Reality: ADA Compliance is Not Optional
The lawsuit filed against Between the Sheets Inc. (Case: Dominique Tompkins et al. v. Between the Sheets, Inc.) is part of a growing wave of digital accessibility litigation. Plaintiffs in this case alleged that the digital platform was inaccessible to individuals with visual disabilities, citing barriers such as unlabeled navigation links and inaccessible design elements.

Many Shopify merchants mistakenly believe that the ADA applies only to physical brick-and-mortar stores. This is incorrect. Courts have increasingly interpreted Title III of the ADA to apply to websites, viewing them as “places of public accommodation.” If your online store prevents a person with a disability from browsing products, understanding policies, or making a purchase, you are effectively discriminating against them.

The consequences of ignoring ADA compliance are steep. Beyond the potential for five-figure settlements and legal fees, businesses face the cost of emergency remediation and reputational damage.

Missing Alt Text

The “Silent” Offender: Why Alt Text Matters
The primary offender identified in our video analysis was missing Alt Text (Alternative Text). Alt Text is a brief written description of an image embedded in the HTML of a webpage. It serves two critical functions:

Accessibility: It tells screen reader users what is on the screen. For a store selling bedding, good Alt Text would read: “White Egyptian cotton duvet cover with satin trim on a king-sized bed.”

SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

Search engines like Google cannot “see” images; they read text. Proper Alt Text helps search engines understand your content, which can actually improve your rankings for specific product keywords.

When you neglect Alt Text, you aren’t just risking a lawsuit; you are actively hurting your SEO and ignoring a significant portion of the market that relies on assistive technology.

How to Fix Alt Text on Shopify

If you are running a Shopify store, the platform makes it relatively easy to address this issue, you just have to make it part of your workflow. Shopify has built-in features to help you maintain ADA compliance regarding images.

Based on a your website Step-by-Step Guide:

Go to Products: Select the product you want to edit.

Select Media: Click on a product image to open the preview.

Add Alt Text: Look for the “Add alt text” link or the “Edit alt text” option.

Be Descriptive: Write a clear, concise description of what the image shows. Do not just stuff keywords in there; describe the visual aspects.

Bad Example: “Sheets sale luxury.”

Good Example: “Floral pattern sateen sheet set in blush pink.”

Save: Ensure you save your changes.

Repeat this process for every image on your site, including blog post images and banner graphics.

Auditing Your Store

How do you know if your store is at risk? As demonstrated in our video, you cannot rely on a visual check. You need data.

We recommend performing manual audits along with using tools like to run a free scan of your website. These tools simulate how a screen reader interacts with your code and will flag errors such as:

Missing Alt Text

Low color contrast (text that is hard to read against the background)

Empty form labels

Broken navigation links

Conclusion
The lawsuit against Between the Sheets Inc. is a reminder that in 2025, accessibility is a requirement, not a feature. For Shopify merchants, the tools to achieve compliance are readily available, but they require diligent application.

Don’t wait for a demand letter to land in your inbox. Take the time to audit your site, populate your Alt Text, and ensure your digital storefront is welcoming to everyone. Not only will you protect your business from legal risks associated with ADA compliance, but you will also create a better, more inclusive experience for all your customers.

To watch the full analysis of the Between the Sheets Inc website, check out the video from ShopAccessible.com here: BetweentheSheetsinc receives ADA Lawsuit? Alt Text Warning 🚨

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Don’t Be the Next Target: Why ADA Compliance is Crucial for Your Shopify Store

ShopAccessible.com — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 22:14:00 +0000

The digital storefront has replaced the brick-and-mortar shop for millions of businesses, but with this shift comes a critical ADA compliance responsibility: ensuring your e-commerce site is accessible to everyone. For Shopify merchants, the risk of an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) lawsuit for website non-compliance is real and growing.

A recent analysis by ShopAccessible.com highlighted this danger by examining the website of Blenders Eyewear following a reported ADA lawsuit. The findings serve as a stark warning to all digital retailers, particularly those operating on the Shopify platform, that relying on quick fixes is not enough to achieve true accessibility.

The Most Common Pitfall: The Alternative Text Blunder

The core of the accessibility failure discovered in the analysis revolved around a fundamental element of web design: Alternative Text (Alt Text).

The analysis, using the WAVE browser extension, flagged hundreds of issues, with a significant portion related to poor image descriptions. The most egregious error was the widespread use of generic or missing Alt Text, where a screen reader announced simple, unhelpful phrases like “image” or “gold color block image” for product photos [00:33].

Why this matters for your Shopify store:

Screen Reader Dependence: Visually impaired users rely entirely on Alt Text for context. Images require descriptions to communicate it’s meaning to screen reader users.
Legal Vulnerability: The ADA requires websites to be equally usable by all, and poor Alt Text is an undeniable barrier. This is often cited as a core reason for non-compliance lawsuits.

To be truly ADA Compliant, every single image, especially product photos, banners, and navigational icons, must have descriptive, unique Alt Text that conveys the image’s function and content.

The Myth of the Accessibility Overlay Tool

A crucial point raised in the analysis is the inadequacy of accessibility overlay tools [00:19]. Many Shopify merchants, seeking a fast track to ADA Compliance, install third-party widgets or overlays promising to solve all their accessibility issues with a single line of code.

The reality is much different:

Overlays don’t fix the source code: True compliance requires “treating the source code”, not trying to solve the accessibility issues with an overlay. [00:24].
They can introduce new problems: These tools can often interfere with existing assistive technologies (like screen readers), creating more barriers than they remove.

For Shopify merchants, achieving compliance means addressing the theme and app code directly, ensuring your templates are built with accessibility from the ground up, and that your third-party apps also adhere to accessibility standards.

Proactive Steps for Shopify ADA Compliance

Don’t wait for a demand letter. Take action now to protect your business and, most importantly, provide a seamless experience for all your customers.

Audit Your Alt Text: Manually review all product images and ensure the Alt Text is descriptive and unique. Use your product title and key features in the description.
Test with a Screen Reader: Use free tools like NVDA or VoiceOver to browse your Shopify store. If you can’t understand what’s happening without looking at the screen, a blind user won’t either.
Prioritize Source Code Fixes: If you must use a third-party accessibility solution, ensure it is a tool that actually modifies your website’s code to fix underlying issues, rather than just layering an interface on top.

To watch the full analysis of the Blenders Eyewear case, check out the video from ShopAccessible.com here: Blenders Eyewear Hit With ADA Lawsuit? Shopify Accessibility Warning 🚨

The post Don’t Be the Next Target: Why ADA Compliance is Crucial for Your Shopify Store appeared first on ShopAccessible.com.

How to Make Your Shopify Store Accessible

ShopAccessible.com — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Many Shopify store owners assume that improving Web Accessibility means starting from scratch or hiring a full development team. The good news is that accessibility can be improved step by step without changing the look and feel of your brand. By focusing on practical upgrades and adhering to WCAG standards, you can make your Shopify website easier to use for everyone, including customers who rely on assistive technology such as screen readers or keyboard navigation. The following accessibility improvements are simple to implement and have an immediate impact on both usability and ADA compliance.

Add Alt Text to All Images

Every image on your Shopify store should include alt text, which is a short written description explaining what the image is showing. Screen readers read this description aloud for users who are blind or have low vision. Without alt text, assistive devices may simply announce “image” with no context, making the experience confusing. When writing alt text, be clear and direct. For example, instead of writing “shirt,” write “red cotton T-shirt with long sleeves.” This also helps search engines better understand your content, which can improve organic traffic.

Ensure Keyboard Navigation Works

Not everyone navigates websites using a mouse or touchscreen. Many people use the Tab key to move through links, buttons, and form fields. To test your Shopify store, place your hands away from your mouse and try navigating the entire site using only the Tab and Enter keys. If you cannot reach certain elements, or if focus indicators are not visible, adjust your theme settings or consult your developer to increase keyboard accessibility. This is especially important for menus, sliders, modals, and checkout forms.

Fix Heading Structures (H1, H2, H3)

Headings are more than just visual styling. They act as a roadmap for both assistive technologies and search engines. Every page should have one main heading (H1), followed by properly nested subheadings (H2 for sections and H3 for subsections). Avoid using headings purely for styling. Instead, use them to create logical structure. For example:

H1: Summer Collection

H2: New Arrivals

H3: Linen Shirts

When headings follow a predictable order, users can jump directly to sections instead of scrolling through large amounts of content.

Use High Color Contrast

Color contrast refers to the difference between the background and the text or graphics placed on top of it. Low contrast combinations such as light grey text on a white background are difficult for many people to read, especially those with low vision or color blindness. To meet accessibility standards, body text should have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5 to 1. Several free online tools allow you to check your colors before applying them to your Shopify theme. Maintaining strong contrast does not limit creativity—it simply ensures clarity.

Provide Video Captions and Transcripts

If you include product videos, tutorials, or brand storytelling content, make sure they include captions. Captions display spoken dialogue as text, which allows deaf users to follow along and also helps mobile users who watch with the sound off. For longer videos or podcasts, provide a written transcript below or on a separate page. This also has SEO benefits because search engines can index the transcript content.

Improving accessibility on Shopify is not just about legal compliance with ADA requirements. It is about giving every visitor a fair chance to engage with your products and complete a purchase. Accessible stores load better, convert better and build customer trust. Each step you take makes your Shopify store more inclusive and more competitive.

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A Beginner’s Guide to Accessibility Auditing: How to Make Your Website Compliant

ShopAccessible.com — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 08:52:00 +0000

Did you know that millions of people around the world use the internet in different ways? Some people use screen readers because they are blind or have low vision. Others use keyboards instead of a mouse because of mobility challenges. Many people need websites to have clear text and good color contrast so they can read easily.

When websites don’t work for these users, they become impossible or frustrating to use. This is why web accessibility matters. It means making sure your website can be used by as many people as possible, no matter their abilities.

If you own or manage a website, it’s important to check — or audit — your site to see if it is accessible. This guide will help you get started.

What is an Accessibility Audit?

An accessibility audit is like a health check-up for your website. It helps you find out what is working well and what needs fixing so that people with disabilities can use your site.

Audits look at things like:

Can someone use the site without a mouse?
Can a screen reader describe images on the page?
Are the colors easy to see?
Is the text large enough and easy to read?

Once you find the problems, you can make changes to improve your site for everyone.

Why Should You Care About Accessibility?

There are many good reasons to care about web accessibility:

It’s the right thing to do. Everyone should have equal access to information and services online.
It helps your business. A website that works for everyone can bring in more customers. People will feel welcome and are more likely to return.
It protects you from legal trouble. In many countries, including Canada and the United States, businesses can be fined or sued if their websites are not accessible.

How to Get Started With an Accessibility Audit

Don’t worry if this sounds overwhelming! You don’t need to be a tech expert to take the first steps. Here’s how you can begin.

Check for Alt Text on Images
Alt text is a short description of an image that screen readers can read out loud. It helps people who cannot see the image understand what is on the page.

Go through your pages and check if each image has a helpful description. For example:
Bad alt text: image1.jpg
Good alt text: A smiling woman using a laptop at a coffee shop.

Try to Use Your Website Without a Mouse
Use only your keyboard (the tab, enter, arrow, and space keys) to move around your site.

Ask yourself:

Can you reach every link and button?
Can you fill out forms?
Can you see where you are on the page?

If you can’t do these things, someone with mobility challenges probably can’t either.

Check Color Contrast
Good color contrast makes text easier to read. For example, light gray text on a white background is hard to see for many people.

Use a free tool like the WebAIM Contrast Checker (search for it online) to test your colors. Aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text.

Making your website accessible helps everyone, not just people with disabilities. It can improve your site’s design, make it easier to use on phones and tablets, and even help with search engine rankings.

By doing a basic accessibility audit, you’re taking the first step toward a better, fairer internet. And remember — you don’t have to do it all at once. Start today, and keep improving over time.

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Top 10 Accessibility Issues That Could Be Costing Your Website Customers

ShopAccessible.com — Tue, 20 May 2025 07:07:00 +0000

Is your website losing visitors without you even realizing it? Many businesses don’t know that accessibility barriers are driving away potential customers — including people with disabilities, seniors, and users on mobile devices.

When your site isn’t accessible, you not only risk losing business, but you could also face legal challenges. Let’s break down the 10 most common accessibility issues that might be costing you customers, and what you can do about them.

Missing or Poor Alt Text on Images

Images without proper alt text can’t be understood by screen readers. This means people who are blind or have low vision miss out on important information.

Solution: Add meaningful alt text to all images. Describe what’s in the image and its purpose.

Low Color Contrast

Text that blends into the background is hard to read for many people — not just those with low vision.

Solution: Use tools like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker to ensure at least 4.5:1 contrast for normal text.

No Keyboard Navigation

If users can’t navigate your site with a keyboard alone, it’s unusable for people with mobility impairments.

Solution: Test your site by tabbing through links, buttons, and forms without a mouse.

Missing Form Labels

Forms without proper labels confuse screen readers and frustrate users trying to fill them out.

Solution: Make sure all form fields (like name, email, message) have clear, programmatically linked labels.

Videos Without Captions

If your videos don’t have captions, they’re inaccessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing users — and frustrating to users in noisy or quiet environments.

Solution: Provide accurate captions for all video content.

Inaccessible PDFs and Documents

PDFs that aren’t tagged for accessibility can’t be read by assistive technology.

Solution: Create accessible documents with proper headings, tags, and alt text for images.

Improper Use of Headings

Headings help organize your content. When they’re used incorrectly (or skipped), it confuses screen readers and makes your site harder to navigate.

Solution: Use proper heading levels (H1, H2, H3) in order, without skipping levels.

Links That Don’t Make Sense Out of Context

Links like “Click here” or “Read more” don’t tell users — especially those using screen readers — where the link will go.

Solution: Write descriptive link text like “Read more about our accessibility services” or “Download our accessibility checklist.”

Auto-Playing Media Without Controls

Audio or video that plays automatically can disorient users, especially those using screen readers or those sensitive to sudden sounds.

Solution: Avoid auto-play, or provide easy-to-find pause/stop controls.

Timed Content Without Adjustable Settings

Some forms, quizzes, or carousels may have time limits that can’t be adjusted or paused. This can be stressful or impossible for people with cognitive disabilities, motor impairments, or anxiety.

Solution: Allow users to extend time limits, pause carousels, or turn off auto-advancing content.

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