How Hyvä Themes Help Comply With Website Accessibility

What an online store should always consider are web accessibility standards.

This is because everyone loves to shop online but not all your shoppers can browse through and make a purchase as most. There are people with kinds of disabilities and your Magento store should be equally usable for them as well.

Bringing the Hyvä theme in context, they’ve consistently prioritized web accessibility to ensure inclusive eCommerce experiences.

Hyvä Theme version 1.3.0 and later implements accessibility features according to WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guideline) 2.1 level AA requirements.

In this blog, how Hyvä Themes help Magento stores meet web accessibility standards.

We’ll explore the importance of accessibility, key features introduced in Hyvä’s latest updates — including improvements from the 1.3.0 release — and how these changes create a smoother, more inclusive shopping experience.

By the end, you’ll understand how adopting the Hyvä theme can enhance your Magento store’s usability.

Let’s start.

What Is Web Accessibility?

Web accessibility means designing and developing websites in a way that everyone, including people with disabilities and impairments, can easily use them. For example, accessible websites provide:

• Keyboard navigation for those unable to use a mouse.
• Alt text for images to assist visually impaired users.
• Clear labels and instructions for forms and interactive elements.

This ensures that all users, regardless of their abilities, can have an equal experience on your website.

As we’re talking of web accessibility, let’s also look at types of disabilities people might have which you need to be aware of.

# Types of Disabilities You Need To Address

When you choose to design an accessible website, it’s important for you to understand the different types of disabilities and how common they are. These include:

Types of Disability	Description	Commonality
Visual Disabilities	– Blindness – Color blindness – Low vision	Over 2.2 billion people
Hearing Disabilities	– Mild hearing loss – Complete deafness	Approximately 1.5 billion people
Motor Disabilities	– Difficult to use a mouse or keyboard.	1 in 7 adults
Cognitive Disabilities	– Dyslexia – ADHD – Memory disorders impacting focus	15-20% of the global population.
Neurological Disabilities	– Epilepsy – Migraines – Conditions affecting brain function	More than 50 million people worldwide.

With that information, let’s check why is it necessary for your online business needs to focus on web accessibility.

Why is Website Accessibility Important For Your Business?

Making your website accessible is necessary for multiple reasons, be it from the perspective of user experience or business.

When your site is developed in a way that the majority of the audience can use it easily, including people with disabilities who might otherwise struggle to browse or shop online, it’s a benefit for both.

This inclusiveness doesn’t just help users; it benefits your business too.

A more accessible website feels smoother and more intuitive for all visitors, which can keep people on your site longer and encourage more purchases. And apart from that, there’s also the legal side to consider. Many regions now have strict accessibility laws, and failing to meet those standards could put your business at risk of legal action.

But beyond all that, investing in accessibility shows that your business cares — and that kind of reputation goes a long way.

People remember brands that make an effort to be inclusive, and that trust can turn visitors into loyal customers.

# Benefits for your Business

Here I’ve outlined some clear benefits of accessibility for your online business.

1. It helps you reach a wider audience by allowing people with disabilities to browse and shop easily.
2. Improved accessibility often leads to better SEO performance since clear structure, alt text, and proper headings make your site easier for search engines to understand.
3. It enhances the user experience, making your site more intuitive and enjoyable for everyone.
4. Meeting accessibility standards protects your business from potential legal issues.
5. Prioritizing accessibility shows that your brand values inclusivity, which can strengthen customer trust and loyalty.

… and more.

With that, let’s look at a few legal accessibility standards that concern your business.

What Are Legal Web Accessibility Standards That Concerns Your Business?

There are multiple legal acts that require online businesses to comply with web accessibility standards for inclusivity.

These key standards include:

1. WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines): These are the global standards for web accessibility, ensuring websites are easy to use for people with disabilities. They focus on making content clear, navigable, and adaptable for different users. Learn more.
2. EAA (European Accessibility Act): Starting in June 2025, businesses in the EU must ensure that their websites, apps, eBooks, and other digital content meet accessibility standards. Learn more.
3. ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act): In the U.S., businesses must make their websites accessible to avoid discrimination against people with disabilities. Many lawsuits have been filed against companies with inaccessible websites. Learn more. 
4. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act: U.S. federal agencies and any business working with them must follow strict accessibility rules to ensure their websites and digital services are usable for all. Learn more.
5. EN 301 549: This is the European standard for digital accessibility, requiring businesses to follow WCAG guidelines when designing websites, apps, and other online services. Learn more.

That shows how necessary it is for your business to comply with these legal standards. Now, let’s check on how the Hyvä theme helps you ensure web accessibility for your Magento store.

How Does Hyvä Theme Ensure Website Accessibility?

Recently for Hyvä Theme version 1.3.0 and after, the team of Hyvä introduced accessibility features.

Prior to this release, while the theme prioritized performance and modern design, it lacked specific accessibility enhancements. The 1.3.0 update brought in significant advancement by aligning the theme with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.

They introduced multiple accessibility features to support users with disability. The features include:

1. Keyboard support
2. Support for assistive technologies
3. Colors, spacing, and fonts
4. Responsiveness
5. Alternative content

Let’s understand these features in detail.

1. Keyboard Support

Many users, including those with motor impairments, rely on keyboards rather than a mouse to navigate websites.

Hyvä theme, with its 1.3.0 update, ensures that all interactive elements, such as menus, buttons, and forms, can be accessed using only a keyboard. The theme maintains a logical tab order and provides visible focus indicators, making it easier for users to move through the site without missing important elements.

2. Support for Assistive Technologies

For visually impaired users who rely on screen readers, Hyvä has introduced semantic HTML and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes in its 1.3.0 version that help improve content comprehension. This ensures that screen readers can accurately interpret headings, links, buttons, and form elements.

This allows users to understand page content and complete tasks like adding products to the cart or checking out seamlessly.

3. Colors, Spacing, and Fonts

Hyvä follows WCAG-recommended contrast ratios to improve text visibility for users with low vision or color blindness.

The theme also ensures that spacing between elements and typography choices enhances readability, reducing cognitive strain for users with dyslexia or other reading difficulties. By maintaining a clean and structured layout in this new version release, Hyvä improves overall usability for all visitors.

4. Responsive Design

Hyvä’s fully responsive design ensures accessibility across different devices and screen sizes. Users who rely on screen magnification or zoom settings can still access all content without layout distortion. The theme adapts fluidly to desktops, tablets, and mobile devices, making navigation and interaction easier regardless of the device used.

5. Alternative Content

To accommodate users who cannot perceive visual content, Hyvä version 1.3.0 encourages the use of alternative text for images and icons. This ensures that screen readers can describe images meaningfully, allowing users with visual impairments to understand graphical content. 

Properly labeled buttons and links also enhance accessibility for all users, especially those using voice-controlled navigation.

For more: Hyvä themes 1.3.0

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By integrating these accessibility features, Hyvä Theme helps Magento store owners create a more inclusive shopping experience, making e-commerce more accessible to everyone.

Additional Tips to Maintain Accessibility for Magento Store

Here are a few additional tips you can use to maintain accessibility for your Magento store.

1. Use a Website Accessibility Checker

There are tools that scan your website for accessibility compliance.

It includes WAVE, Axe, and AChecker.

These tools detect issues like missing alt text, low color contrast, and improper heading structures while providing recommendations to improve accessibility. These checkers help ensure websites follow WCAG guidelines, making them more usable for people with disabilities.

2. Use Clear and Understandable Language

Using complex language can make content difficult to understand.

Keep sentences short and avoid unnecessary jargon. A tool named Gunning Fog Index helps measure readability, ensuring text is accessible to a wide audience. Also, a reading level between 8 and 12 is ideal for better comprehension so consider making a balance there.

Moreover, clear instructions in website navigation and forms also improve usability for users with cognitive impairments.

3. Structure your Content with Headings

Proper use of headings (<h1>, <h2>, <h3>) creates a well-structured page, making navigation easier for both users and assistive technologies. Screen readers rely on these headings to provide a logical content flow.

When you format subheadings correctly also helps users with cognitive disabilities quickly locate information.

4. Add Alt Text to Images and Icons

The alt text describes images for visually impaired users and appears when an image fails to load.

When you add alt tags for images and videos, make sure you keep them descriptive and relevant. For interactive elements without visible text, you can use aria-label or visually hidden text (via the sr-only Tailwind class).

This makes buttons and links understandable to screen reader users.

5. Ensure High-Contrast Colors

Low contrast makes text difficult to read, especially for users with visual impairments.

So, make sure you add a sufficient contrast ratio between text and background. If brand colors limit accessibility, adjust design elements like borders, overlays, or font-weight to maintain clarity while preserving branding.

6. Provide Captions and Transcripts for Media

Captions provide a synchronized text version of spoken content, while transcripts offer a full written version.

Open captions are always visible, while closed captions can be toggled on or off. Both improve accessibility for users with hearing impairments and those who prefer reading over listening.

7. Avoid Justified Text

Justified text creates uneven spacing, making it harder to read.

Left-aligned text ensures consistent spacing and improves readability for users with dyslexia or cognitive impairments. If justification is necessary, optimize letter spacing and hyphenation settings to enhance accessibility.

8. Use Emojis Thoughtfully

While emojis add expression, screen readers interpret them as text, which can become confusing. Ensure they have appropriate alt text and avoid using complex emoji combinations (e.g., zero-width joiner sequences) that may not be read correctly by assistive technologies.

9. Ensure Accessible Forms and Checkout

Labels and fieldsets provide context for form fields, improving usability for screen readers. Avoid relying on color alone for error messages—use text-based explanations. Keyboard navigation should be seamless, allowing users to complete forms and checkout processes without a mouse.

10. Use Semantic HTML

Semantic elements (<nav>, <main>, <article>, <aside>) enhance accessibility by defining content roles for screen readers. A clear document hierarchy improves navigation, helping users with disabilities understand and interact with web pages more effectively.

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And that’s all to keep up with the accessibility of your Magento website.

#Lastly – Why You Need to Prioritize Web Accessibility With Hyvä?

You, as a Magento store owner, need to consider Hyvä for its comprehensive approach to accessibility as it allows the integration of accessibility features without complex adjustments. From semantic HTML that enhances content structure to live regions that keep dynamic content updates accessible, the process stays easy.

Apart from that, the Hyvä theme comes with a lot of benefits for your Magento store that make it worthy of your business. The benefits include peak-level performance, load speed, development efficiency, lightweight frontend, faster time to market, help for SEO, and more.

Here I’ve added a few resources to gain better understanding of Hyvä theme benefits.

1. Hyvä theme benefits
2. Hyvä theme SEO benefits
3. Mobile performance with Hyvä
4. Hyvä’s help at reduced ad costs

PS:

We’re Aureate Labs, a Hyvä Gold Partner and an eCommerce agency with 14+ years of expertise.

Until now, we’ve successfully launched 25+ Hyvä-powered stores, delivering optimized performance and exceptional user experiences. We can provide a free consultation to help you figure out your doubts if the Hyvä theme is the right choice for your Magento store.

Book Your Appointment Here. 🙂