Building a Better Web: Mastering Accessibility with Elementor and Divi
Whether you are a business owner, a freelancer, or a hobbyist, making your WordPress site accessible ensures that everyone, regardless of ability, can navigate, understand, and interact with your content. Fortunately, the two giants of the WordPress ecosystem, Elementor and Divi, are taking significant strides to make this easier than ever.
Here is how you can leverage these popular tools to build a more accessible web, and why it matters for everyone.
Elementor: Introducing "Ally"
Elementor has recently taken a proactive step into the accessibility space with the launch of Ally, a new accessibility widget plugin designed to bridge the gap between complex compliance standards and everyday web design.
According to their recent announcement, Ally is built to help creators navigate the often confusing landscape of accessibility standards (like WCAG, ADA, and the European Accessibility Act).
Key Features of Ally:
For Creators: It offers a customisable widget that blends seamlessly with your site’s branding. It also includes an Accessibility Statement Generator, which is crucial for transparency, and "Smart Accessibility" features that automatically check and adjust colour contrasts.
For Visitors: The user-facing widget puts control in the hands of the visitor. Users can toggle high contrast modes, adjust text sizes, convert fonts to more readable formats, and even use a reading mask to focus on specific content.
Why it helps: While Elementor is clear that a plugin alone doesn't guarantee 100% legal compliance, Ally serves as a powerful "first step" tool that significantly enhances on-site usability without requiring you to write custom code.
Divi: Bridging the Gap to Version 5
Divi users are in a transition period that offers immediate solutions now with a promise of deep integration later. As detailed in their help center guide, the approach to accessibility in Divi is two-fold.
The Future (Divi 5): Elegant Themes has announced that the upcoming Divi 5 will have accessibility baked into its core. This includes native improvements to keyboard navigation, ARIA support (attributes that help screen readers understand content), and better focus indicators for users navigating without a mouse.
The Present (Divi 4): For those building on the current version, Divi recommends leveraging specific tools from their Marketplace, specifically Divi Assistant and the Accessibility Bundle.
Divi Assistant is highlighted for its "Accessibility Helper" suite. It solves critical issues by making Divi elements keyboard focusable, adding ARIA attributes to modules, and improving Alt Text management for images.
A Warning: The guide explicitly advises against using the older, free "Divi Accessibility" plugin, noting that it is no longer actively developed and may not meet modern standards.
Why Accessibility Improves the Experience for Everyone
It is a common myth that accessibility features are only for people with permanent disabilities. In reality, the "Curb Cut Effect", the idea that a ramp installed for wheelchairs also helps people with strollers, walkers, and bikes, applies perfectly to the web.
Better Usability for All: High-contrast text is easier to read on a phone screen in bright sunlight. Captions on videos allow people to watch content in quiet libraries or noisy subways. Clear keyboard navigation helps power users browse faster without reaching for a mouse.
SEO Benefits: Google and other search engines rely on the same signals that screen readers do. Proper heading structures (H1, H2, H3) and descriptive Alt Text for images help search bots understand your content, potentially boosting your site's ranking.
Social Responsibility: An accessible site demonstrates corporate social responsibility. It tells your audience that you value every visitor, fostering brand loyalty and trust.
Something for Everyone
The tools to build an inclusive web are right at our fingertips. With Elementor’s Ally offering a user-friendly entry point and Divi gearing up for a native accessibility overhaul, there is no longer an excuse to leave users behind.
By prioritising accessibility, you aren't just following the rules; you are opening your digital doors to a wider audience and creating a smoother, more enjoyable experience for every single visitor.