1. Why Your Shopify Store Needs ADA Compliance
If you run a Shopify store, you're running an e-commerce business — and e-commerce is ground zero for ADA website lawsuits. Here's why compliance isn't optional:
of ADA lawsuits target e-commerce stores
ADA web lawsuits filed in 2025
annual spending power of people with disabilities
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that "places of public accommodation" be accessible to people with disabilities. Federal courts have consistently ruled that online stores qualify — including Shopify stores.
Beyond legal protection, accessibility is good business. The disability community represents $490 billion in annual spending power (American Institutes for Research). An inaccessible store literally turns away customers who want to buy from you.
The compliance standard used is WCAG 2.1 Level AA — the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines published by the W3C. While the ADA doesn't explicitly reference WCAG, the Department of Justice has cited it as the standard, and courts consistently use it as the benchmark.
2. Is Shopify ADA Compliant by Default?
Short Answer: No.
While Shopify has improved its platform's accessibility, no Shopify store is fully ADA compliant out of the box. The store owner bears responsibility for ensuring compliance.
Here's what Shopify provides vs. what you're responsible for:
✅ What Shopify Handles
- • Checkout flow accessibility (Shopify-hosted)
- • Dawn theme built with semantic HTML
- • Basic ARIA landmarks in newer themes
- • Skip-to-content links in Dawn theme
- • Payment form accessibility
❌ What You Must Handle
- • Alt text on all product images
- • Color contrast in your theme/brand colors
- • Keyboard navigation for custom elements
- • Form labels on email signup, contact forms
- • Third-party app accessibility
- • Custom code/sections accessibility
- • Video captions and media alternatives
- • Heading hierarchy across pages
Think of it this way: Shopify provides the infrastructure, but you build the store. Every product image you upload without alt text, every custom banner with poor contrast, every third-party popup you install — these are your accessibility liabilities.
3. Most Common Shopify Accessibility Issues
After scanning thousands of Shopify stores, these are the most frequently found WCAG violations:
Missing Alt Text on Product Images
Impact: Screen reader users can't identify products
Fix: Add descriptive alt text in Shopify admin → Products → Edit image → Alt text
Found on 85%+ of Shopify stores
Insufficient Color Contrast
Impact: Low-vision users can't read text on buttons, badges, and navigation
Fix: Check all text/background combinations meet 4.5:1 ratio. Common offenders: sale badges, footer links, light gray text
Found on 78% of stores
Inaccessible Dropdown Menus
Impact: Keyboard users can't navigate product categories
Fix: Ensure all menu items are reachable via Tab/Arrow keys and activated with Enter/Space
Found on 65% of stores
Missing Form Labels
Impact: Screen reader users can't identify form fields (email signup, search, contact)
Fix: Add <label> elements associated with each <input> via for/id attributes
Found on 72% of stores
Focus Indicators Removed
Impact: Keyboard users can't see which element is selected
Fix: Never use outline: none without providing an alternative focus style
Found on 60% of stores
Auto-Playing Media Without Controls
Impact: Disorienting for screen reader users; interferes with audio navigation
Fix: Add pause/stop controls to all auto-playing video and audio. Add captions.
Found on 40% of stores with video
Missing Skip Navigation Link
Impact: Keyboard users must tab through entire header/navigation on every page
Fix: Add a visually-hidden 'Skip to main content' link as the first focusable element
Found on 55% of stores (varies by theme)
Inaccessible Product Filters & Sorting
Impact: Screen reader users can't filter by size, color, price etc.
Fix: Use proper ARIA roles and labels on filter controls, announce filter results
Found on 70% of stores with filters
4. Step-by-Step Compliance Guide
Follow this order to systematically make your Shopify store ADA compliant. Start with the highest-impact issues that are most commonly cited in lawsuits:
Run a Full Accessibility Scan
~5 minutesBefore fixing anything, you need a baseline. Run your Shopify store through an automated accessibility scanner to get a full report of current WCAG violations. Focus on scanning your homepage, a product page, a collection page, the cart, and your contact/about pages. This gives you a prioritized list of what to fix.
Scan Your Shopify Store Free →Fix All Product Image Alt Text
~30-60 minutesThis is the single highest-impact fix. Go to Products in your Shopify admin. For every product, click each image and add descriptive alt text. Good alt text describes the product specifically: 'Blue denim jacket with brass buttons, front view' is better than 'jacket' or 'product image'. Include the product name, color, material, and viewing angle. For decorative images that don't convey information, use empty alt text (alt="").
Audit and Fix Color Contrast
~30-60 minutesUse a color contrast checker to verify all text meets the 4.5:1 ratio against its background (3:1 for large text 18px+). Common offenders on Shopify stores: sale badge text, light gray body text, white text on light-colored brand backgrounds, footer link text, and placeholder text in search/email fields. Update colors in your theme's CSS or theme settings.
Add Missing Form Labels
~20-30 minutesFind every form on your site (email signup, contact form, search bar, newsletter popup) and ensure each input field has a properly associated <label> element. In Shopify's theme editor, look for input fields with only placeholder text and no label. Visible labels are best, but visually-hidden labels work for design-sensitive areas like search bars.
Test Keyboard Navigation
~15-20 minutesPut away your mouse and navigate your entire store using only Tab (forward), Shift+Tab (backward), Enter (activate), and Escape (close). Test: main navigation menu (including dropdowns), product selection and add-to-cart, search functionality, popup/modal dialogs, footer links. Every interactive element must be reachable and usable.
Fix Heading Hierarchy
~15-20 minutesEach page should have exactly one H1 (usually the page/product title), followed by H2s for major sections, H3s for subsections, and so on. Common Shopify mistake: using heading tags for styling (making something bold/large) rather than structure. Check that headings flow logically: H1 → H2 → H3, never skipping levels (H1 → H3).
Add an Accessibility Statement
~15 minutesCreate a new page in Shopify (Pages → Add page) titled 'Accessibility Statement'. Include: your commitment to accessibility, the standard you're targeting (WCAG 2.1 AA), known limitations, a contact method for reporting accessibility issues, and the date of your last accessibility review. Link to it in your footer navigation.
Set Up Ongoing Monitoring
~5 minutesAccessibility compliance isn't a one-time fix. Every new product, theme update, or app installation can introduce violations. Set up automated monitoring to scan your store regularly and alert you to new issues before they become lawsuit targets. This is your ongoing insurance policy.
5. Shopify Theme Accessibility Audit
Your Shopify theme is the foundation of your store's accessibility. Some themes are significantly better than others:
Theme Accessibility Comparison
Semantic HTML, skip-nav, ARIA landmarks, keyboard-accessible menus. Shopify's most accessible free theme.
Clean structure, fewer accessibility issues by virtue of simplicity. Less customization = fewer violations.
Older architecture, some accessibility gaps. Missing skip-nav in many versions. Consider upgrading to Dawn.
Heavily depends on the developer. Check theme changelog for accessibility mentions. Test before buying.
Custom code often introduces accessibility issues. Every modification needs testing. Most vulnerable to lawsuits.
💡 Theme Audit Checklist
6. Product Pages: Images, Descriptions, Variants
Product pages are where most Shopify accessibility issues live. Here's how to make them compliant:
📸 Product Images — Alt Text Guide
Every product image needs descriptive alt text. Here's how to write effective alt text for e-commerce:
"product image""blue jacket""Women's blue denim jacket with brass buttons and two front pockets, shown from the front on a model"Formula: [Gender/Target] + [Color] + [Material] + [Product Type] + [Key Features] + [View/Angle]
🔀 Variant Selectors (Size, Color, etc.)
Variant selectors are often one of the worst accessibility offenders on Shopify stores. Ensure:
- •Color swatches have text labels (don't rely on color alone — WCAG 1.4.1)
- •Size selectors are keyboard-navigable (Tab between options)
- •Selected variant is announced to screen readers (aria-selected or aria-checked)
- •"Out of stock" variants are indicated both visually AND via aria-disabled
- •Price changes are announced when switching variants (use aria-live region)
📝 Product Descriptions
- •Use proper heading hierarchy within descriptions (H2, H3 — not H1)
- •Use real text (not images of text) for product specifications
- •Tables in descriptions need proper <th> headers and scope attributes
- •Links within descriptions should have descriptive text (not "click here")
7. Cart & Checkout Accessibility
The cart and checkout flow is critical — it's where the actual transaction happens. An inaccessible checkout literally prevents disabled users from completing purchases.
✅ Good News: Shopify-Hosted Checkout
If you're using Shopify's standard hosted checkout (which most stores do), Shopify handles much of the checkout accessibility. They maintain WCAG compliance on the payment form, address fields, and order confirmation. Your main responsibility is ensuring the path to checkout is accessible.
🛒 Cart Page/Drawer Checklist
- ☐"Add to Cart" button is keyboard-accessible and clearly labeled
- ☐Cart updates announce to screen readers (use aria-live)
- ☐Quantity inputs have visible labels
- ☐Remove item buttons have accessible names (not just an "X" icon)
- ☐Cart drawer (if used) traps focus properly and closes with Escape
- ☐Discount code field has a visible label
- ☐"Proceed to Checkout" button is prominently focusable
8. Apps & Third-Party Integrations
Third-party Shopify apps are one of the biggest hidden accessibility risks. Every app that injects content into your storefront can introduce WCAG violations.
⚠️ Common Problem Apps
These types of apps frequently cause accessibility issues:
- • Popup/Modal apps — Often don't trap focus, can't be closed with keyboard
- • Chat widgets — Floating buttons without ARIA labels, inaccessible chat interfaces
- • Review widgets — Star ratings without text alternatives, inaccessible review forms
- • Countdown timers — Visual-only urgency, no screen reader announcements
- • Image galleries/sliders — Not keyboard-navigable, missing alt text, auto-play
- • Cookie consent banners — Ironic but common: compliance banners that aren't accessible
App Accessibility Evaluation Framework
Before installing any Shopify app, check:
- Does the app mention accessibility or WCAG in its listing?
- Can you navigate the app's storefront elements with keyboard only?
- Do injected elements have proper ARIA attributes?
- Does the app add alt text to any images it creates?
- Can popups/modals be closed with the Escape key?
- Does the app degrade gracefully (works without JavaScript)?
Rule of thumb: The fewer apps you install, the fewer accessibility issues you'll have. Every app is a potential liability.
9. Why Overlay Apps Won't Protect You
You may have seen Shopify apps promising "one-click ADA compliance" through accessibility overlay widgets. These apps add a toolbar or widget to your store that lets users adjust text size, contrast, and other visual settings.
🚫 The Overlay Problem
- 1.They don't fix code-level issues. Overlays add a visual layer on top of an inaccessible website. The underlying HTML/CSS violations remain. Screen readers interact with the code, not the overlay.
- 2.Courts don't accept them as compliance. Multiple lawsuits have been filed against businesses using overlays — and having an overlay installed. Courts look at actual WCAG conformance, not widget presence.
- 3.The accessibility community opposes them. The National Federation of the Blind publicly condemned overlay solutions. Over 800 accessibility professionals signed the Overlay Fact Sheet opposing them.
- 4.Overlay providers have been sued. accessiBe, AudioEye, and other overlay vendors have been named as defendants in ADA lawsuits, undermining their own "compliance guarantee" claims.
- 5.They may increase your risk. Some plaintiff attorneys specifically look for overlay widgets as indicators of a business that knows it has accessibility issues but chose a shortcut instead of real remediation.
The only reliable path to ADA compliance is fixing your actual code — the HTML, CSS, ARIA attributes, and content that screen readers and assistive technologies interact with. For Shopify stores, this means auditing your theme, fixing product content, and monitoring for regressions. There are no shortcuts.
10. Ongoing Monitoring & Maintenance
Making your Shopify store accessible today doesn't mean it stays accessible tomorrow. Accessibility is an ongoing process, not a one-time project:
🔄 What Can Break Accessibility
- • Adding new products without alt text
- • Theme updates changing HTML structure
- • Installing new apps or widgets
- • Seasonal promotional banners
- • Blog posts with inaccessible images/embeds
- • A/B testing tools injecting inaccessible variants
- • Team members uploading content without alt text
- • Third-party script updates
📊 Recommended Monitoring Cadence
The most cost-effective approach: automated continuous monitoring catches the majority of regressions as they happen, supplemented by periodic manual testing for issues that automated tools can't detect (approximately 50-70% of all WCAG criteria require human judgment).
11. Cost: Compliance vs. Lawsuit
Let's put the numbers side by side:
✅ Proactive Compliance
❌ ADA Lawsuit
Proactive compliance costs as little as $348/year.
An ADA lawsuit costs a minimum of $15,000.
That's 43x cheaper to prevent than to fix after a lawsuit.
12. Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shopify ADA compliant by default?
No. While Shopify's newer themes include some accessibility features, no Shopify store is fully compliant out of the box. The store owner is responsible for product image alt text, color contrast, keyboard navigation, form labels, and third-party app accessibility. Your content and customizations determine your compliance level.
Can my Shopify store be sued for ADA violations?
Yes. E-commerce stores are the #1 target for ADA web accessibility lawsuits, accounting for 77% of all cases. Shopify stores are considered "places of public accommodation" under ADA Title III. Settlements for small businesses typically range from $5,000 to $25,000 plus legal fees.
How much does it cost to make my Shopify store ADA compliant?
DIY compliance (fixing alt text, contrast, forms yourself + $29/mo monitoring) costs as little as $348/year. Professional audits range from $3,000-$15,000. For comparison, an ADA lawsuit costs $15,000-$95,000+. Prevention is 43x cheaper than litigation.
What are the most common Shopify accessibility issues?
Missing alt text on product images (85%+ of stores), insufficient color contrast (78%), inaccessible dropdown menus (65%), missing form labels (72%), removed focus indicators (60%), and inaccessible product filters (70%). Most of these are fixable without developer help.
Will an accessibility overlay app make my store compliant?
No. Overlay widgets don't fix code-level issues, courts don't accept them as compliance, the accessibility community opposes them (800+ professionals signed the Overlay Fact Sheet), and overlay providers themselves have been named in lawsuits. The only reliable path is fixing actual code issues.
Which Shopify theme is most accessible?
Dawn (Shopify's default free theme) is the best starting point — it includes semantic HTML, skip-navigation links, ARIA landmarks, and keyboard-accessible menus. Minimal and Simple themes are also good options. Premium third-party themes vary widely. Always audit any theme before going live.
How often should I check my store's accessibility?
Set up continuous automated monitoring to catch regressions from new products, theme changes, and app updates. Supplement with weekly manual checks of scan results, monthly keyboard navigation tests, and quarterly full manual audits including screen reader testing.
Does Shopify Plus have better accessibility features?
Shopify Plus gives you more control over the checkout (checkout.liquid/Checkout Extensibility), which means more responsibility for checkout accessibility. The core theme and storefront accessibility is the same across all Shopify plans. Plus merchants should pay extra attention to any checkout customizations.
Scan Your Shopify Store — Free
Find out exactly what accessibility issues your Shopify store has right now. Get a detailed WCAG 2.1 AA report in minutes — no credit card required.
Continuous monitoring starts at $29/month — less than the cost of a single product photoshoot.
📚 Related Guides
7 Best Shopify Accessibility Apps 2026
Detailed app comparison: features, pricing, pros/cons
ADA Website Lawsuit Statistics 2026
15,000+ cases in 4 years — the complete data
How to Protect Your Business from ADA Lawsuits
5-step protection plan with ROI analysis
ADA Website Compliance Guide 2026
Complete WCAG 2.1 AA compliance walkthrough
E-Commerce Accessibility Guide
Platform-agnostic e-commerce accessibility best practices
Color Contrast Checker Tool
Free tool to check WCAG contrast ratios