Use built-in website accessibility features and use free tools to test your site.

You can design an inclusive website that accommodates everyone, including visitors with disabilities. Using clear structural layouts like headings and bulleted lists helps screen readers scan pages efficiently so your customers can find information quickly.

Also try: Make your site accessible with inclusive design practices

Note: This guide is a resource, but it’s not legal advice. Squarespace doesn’t give advice on specific accessibility laws or standards applicable to your site or business, as stated in our Terms of Service.

Structure your site’s text, layouts and headings for screen readers

You can customize many aspects of your site like navigation menus, links, and text to make your site content more accessible and easier to navigate for all visitors, Squarespace includes several built-in features and customization options: 

• Color‑contrast options: Match background tones and font colors from the Colors panel to meet WCAG guidelines without custom CSS.
• Keyboard focus outline: To help visitors visually track where they are on a page, a clear border appears automatically when they tab through links or form fields.
• “Skip to Content” link: Visitors can directly to a page's main layout instead of scrolling through header navigation menus. This link appears automatically when a visitor presses the Tab key.
• Semantic page structures: Create organized layouts that text-to-speech software can follow. To maintain a predictable reading order for assistive technology like screen readers, use headings to structure your text.

Make your online checkout flow accessible

All Squarespace templates include built-in features to help customers move through your online store. The checkout page uses specific settings by default to ensure page elements work properly with screen readers and other assistive software.


These built-in features help maintain a clear layout for your customers:

• Pre-labeled form fields: Secure checkout fields include clear text labels. This text tells screen readers exactly what information a visitor needs to type into each box.
• Distinct call-to-action buttons: Main buttons, like payment buttons, use clear descriptive labels. These labels help visitors find major steps on the page and complete their transactions.

Also try: Create an accessible Commerce site

Set up accessible images, videos, and media controls

To help visitors engage with your images and videos, use built-in media controls and descriptive tools:

• Alt‑text fields: Add clear descriptions to all of your images. Alt text helps screen readers describe the images to customers who can't see them. You can run the SEO Report tool to flag any images on your site that are missing alt text.
• Media captions and transcripts: Add captions to videos and upload written text transcripts for audio files.
• Playback controls: Choose motion‑safe formats for videos and animations. Include buttons to pause, skip, or stop video loops and slideshow animations that play automatically.

Access a Squarespace VPAT or accessibility statement as proof of your site’s accessibility

When an organization, business or school requests proof of your site's accessibility, you can use our resources to help explain your core layout features:

• Squarespace accessibility statement: Review our accessibility commitments on Accessibility at Squarespace.
• VPAT report: Provide a clear breakdown of how your site structure follows accessibility guidelines with a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT).

What accessibility rules apply to my site?

You’re responsible for making sure your site complies with all legal requirements that apply to your business. To learn more about accessibility guidelines, visit the Web Accessibility Initiative.

Web accessibility requirements vary worldwide:

• United States: Read the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards to learn about the requirements for accessible website design.
• European Union: Review the European Accessibility Act (EAA) to learn how these regulations require online stores and digital services to be accessible for people with disabilities.

How do I test my site for accessibility compliance?

To find missing image descriptions or check how your website works for different visitors, you can scan your live pages using free online testing tools:

• Check your keyboard shortcuts and test your site using tools from The A11y Project.
• Find color contrast issues or broken heading structures using the WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool.

For a deeper audit of your website, consult an accessibility or compliance expert.