Industry-Specific Accessibility Guides

Last Updated: January 2025

Tailored accessibility guides for different industries. Learn industry-specific requirements, common issues, and best practices.

Why Industry-Specific Guides?

While WCAG applies to all websites, different industries have unique challenges, requirements, and common issues. These guides help you understand what's most important for your specific sector and how to prioritize accessibility improvements.

E-commerce

E-commerce websites must be accessible to all customers, including those with disabilities. Accessibility is not only a legal requirement but also expands your customer base and improves SEO.

Requirements

WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance (often required by law)
Accessible product images with descriptive alt text
Keyboard-accessible shopping cart and checkout
Accessible forms for account creation and checkout
Screen reader compatible product descriptions
Accessible payment processing

Key WCAG Criteria

1.1.1

Non-text Content

Product images need alt text

2.1.1

Keyboard

All shopping functions must be keyboard accessible

3.3.2

Labels or Instructions

Forms must be clearly labeled

4.1.2

Name, Role, Value

Interactive elements must be properly identified

Common Issues

•Missing alt text on product images
•Inaccessible shopping cart
•Keyboard traps in checkout process
•Poor form labels
•Inaccessible payment forms

Best Practices

Provide detailed product descriptions
Ensure all interactive elements are keyboard accessible
Test checkout process with screen readers
Use clear error messages in forms
Provide multiple ways to contact support

Legal Considerations

ADA Title III applies to e-commerce sites. Many e-commerce lawsuits have been filed for accessibility violations.

Education

Educational institutions must ensure their websites and learning management systems are accessible to all students, including those with disabilities. Section 508 and ADA requirements apply.

Requirements

WCAG 2.0 Level AA (Section 508 requirement)
Accessible learning management systems (LMS)
Accessible course materials and documents
Accessible video content with captions
Accessible online assessments and quizzes
Accessible student portals and registration systems

Key WCAG Criteria

1.2.2

Captions (Prerecorded)

Educational videos need captions

1.4.3

Contrast (Minimum)

Text must be readable

2.4.6

Headings and Labels

Content structure is critical

3.3.1

Error Identification

Forms must clearly identify errors

Common Issues

•Inaccessible PDF documents
•Videos without captions
•Inaccessible LMS platforms
•Poor heading structure
•Inaccessible online exams

Best Practices

Provide captions for all video content
Ensure PDFs are accessible or provide HTML alternatives
Test LMS with screen readers
Use proper heading hierarchy
Provide alternative formats for course materials

Legal Considerations

Section 508 requires federal educational institutions to be accessible. Many states have additional requirements.

Healthcare

Healthcare websites must be accessible to ensure all patients can access critical health information, schedule appointments, and use patient portals. ADA compliance is essential.

Requirements

WCAG 2.1 Level AA (ADA requirement)
Accessible patient portals
Accessible appointment scheduling
Accessible medical forms
Accessible health information and resources
Accessible telemedicine platforms

Key WCAG Criteria

1.3.1

Info and Relationships

Medical forms must be properly structured

2.1.1

Keyboard

All functions must be keyboard accessible

3.3.2

Labels or Instructions

Forms must be clearly labeled

4.1.3

Status Messages

Important status updates must be announced

Common Issues

•Inaccessible patient portals
•Complex medical forms without proper labels
•Inaccessible appointment scheduling
•PDF medical forms that aren't accessible
•Inaccessible telemedicine platforms

Best Practices

Ensure patient portals are fully keyboard accessible
Provide clear instructions for medical forms
Test with screen readers regularly
Provide alternative contact methods
Ensure emergency information is accessible

Legal Considerations

ADA Title III applies to healthcare providers. Inaccessible healthcare websites can prevent patients from accessing critical services.

Government

Government websites must comply with Section 508, which requires WCAG 2.0 Level AA compliance. This applies to all federal agencies and many state/local governments.

Requirements

WCAG 2.0 Level AA (Section 508 requirement)
Accessible government services and applications
Accessible forms and documents
Accessible voting systems (where applicable)
Accessible public information
Accessible emergency alerts

Key WCAG Criteria

2.4.1

Bypass Blocks

Skip links are essential

2.4.6

Headings and Labels

Clear structure is required

3.3.1

Error Identification

Forms must identify errors

4.1.2

Name, Role, Value

All components must be accessible

Common Issues

•Inaccessible PDF documents
•Complex forms without proper labels
•Missing skip links
•Poor heading structure
•Inaccessible government portals

Best Practices

Ensure all PDFs are accessible or provide HTML alternatives
Implement skip links on all pages
Use proper heading hierarchy
Test with multiple assistive technologies
Provide accessible alternatives for complex content

Legal Considerations

Section 508 mandates WCAG 2.0 Level AA for all federal agencies. Many states have similar requirements.

Finance & Banking

Financial institutions must ensure their websites and online banking platforms are accessible. ADA compliance is required, and inaccessible banking can prevent customers from managing their finances.

Requirements

WCAG 2.1 Level AA (ADA requirement)
Accessible online banking platforms
Accessible account management
Accessible financial forms and applications
Accessible transaction history
Accessible bill payment systems

Key WCAG Criteria

2.1.1

Keyboard

Banking must be fully keyboard accessible

3.3.2

Labels or Instructions

Financial forms must be clear

4.1.2

Name, Role, Value

All banking functions must be accessible

4.1.3

Status Messages

Transaction status must be announced

Common Issues

•Inaccessible online banking
•Complex forms without proper labels
•Keyboard traps in transaction flows
•Inaccessible account statements
•Security features that block assistive technologies

Best Practices

Ensure all banking functions are keyboard accessible
Provide clear error messages for failed transactions
Test with screen readers regularly
Ensure security features don't block accessibility
Provide alternative access methods

Legal Considerations

ADA Title III applies to financial institutions. Inaccessible banking can result in lawsuits and loss of customers.

Related Resources

Compliance Laws

Legal requirements by region

WCAG Checklist

Complete compliance checklist

Testing Guide

How to test for compliance

Getting Started

Beginner's guide

Industry-Specific Accessibility Guides

Last Updated: January 2025

Tailored accessibility guides for different industries. Learn industry-specific requirements, common issues, and best practices.

Why Industry-Specific Guides?

E-commerce

E-commerce websites must be accessible to all customers, including those with disabilities. Accessibility is not only a legal requirement but also expands your customer base and improves SEO.

Requirements

WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance (often required by law)
Accessible product images with descriptive alt text
Keyboard-accessible shopping cart and checkout
Accessible forms for account creation and checkout
Screen reader compatible product descriptions
Accessible payment processing

Key WCAG Criteria

1.1.1

Non-text Content

Product images need alt text

2.1.1

Keyboard

All shopping functions must be keyboard accessible

3.3.2

Labels or Instructions

Forms must be clearly labeled

4.1.2

Name, Role, Value

Interactive elements must be properly identified

Common Issues

•Missing alt text on product images
•Inaccessible shopping cart
•Keyboard traps in checkout process
•Poor form labels
•Inaccessible payment forms

Best Practices

Provide detailed product descriptions
Ensure all interactive elements are keyboard accessible
Test checkout process with screen readers
Use clear error messages in forms
Provide multiple ways to contact support

Legal Considerations

ADA Title III applies to e-commerce sites. Many e-commerce lawsuits have been filed for accessibility violations.

Education

Educational institutions must ensure their websites and learning management systems are accessible to all students, including those with disabilities. Section 508 and ADA requirements apply.

Requirements

WCAG 2.0 Level AA (Section 508 requirement)
Accessible learning management systems (LMS)
Accessible course materials and documents
Accessible video content with captions
Accessible online assessments and quizzes
Accessible student portals and registration systems

Key WCAG Criteria

1.2.2

Captions (Prerecorded)

Educational videos need captions

1.4.3

Contrast (Minimum)

Text must be readable

2.4.6

Headings and Labels

Content structure is critical

3.3.1

Error Identification

Forms must clearly identify errors

Common Issues

•Inaccessible PDF documents
•Videos without captions
•Inaccessible LMS platforms
•Poor heading structure
•Inaccessible online exams

Best Practices

Provide captions for all video content
Ensure PDFs are accessible or provide HTML alternatives
Test LMS with screen readers
Use proper heading hierarchy
Provide alternative formats for course materials

Legal Considerations

Section 508 requires federal educational institutions to be accessible. Many states have additional requirements.

Healthcare

Healthcare websites must be accessible to ensure all patients can access critical health information, schedule appointments, and use patient portals. ADA compliance is essential.

Requirements

WCAG 2.1 Level AA (ADA requirement)
Accessible patient portals
Accessible appointment scheduling
Accessible medical forms
Accessible health information and resources
Accessible telemedicine platforms

Key WCAG Criteria

1.3.1

Info and Relationships

Medical forms must be properly structured

2.1.1

Keyboard

All functions must be keyboard accessible

3.3.2

Labels or Instructions

Forms must be clearly labeled

4.1.3

Status Messages

Important status updates must be announced

Common Issues

•Inaccessible patient portals
•Complex medical forms without proper labels
•Inaccessible appointment scheduling
•PDF medical forms that aren't accessible
•Inaccessible telemedicine platforms

Best Practices

Ensure patient portals are fully keyboard accessible
Provide clear instructions for medical forms
Test with screen readers regularly
Provide alternative contact methods
Ensure emergency information is accessible

Legal Considerations

ADA Title III applies to healthcare providers. Inaccessible healthcare websites can prevent patients from accessing critical services.

Government

Government websites must comply with Section 508, which requires WCAG 2.0 Level AA compliance. This applies to all federal agencies and many state/local governments.

Requirements

WCAG 2.0 Level AA (Section 508 requirement)
Accessible government services and applications
Accessible forms and documents
Accessible voting systems (where applicable)
Accessible public information
Accessible emergency alerts

Key WCAG Criteria

2.4.1

Bypass Blocks

Skip links are essential

2.4.6

Headings and Labels

Clear structure is required

3.3.1

Error Identification

Forms must identify errors

4.1.2

Name, Role, Value

All components must be accessible

Common Issues

•Inaccessible PDF documents
•Complex forms without proper labels
•Missing skip links
•Poor heading structure
•Inaccessible government portals

Best Practices

Ensure all PDFs are accessible or provide HTML alternatives
Implement skip links on all pages
Use proper heading hierarchy
Test with multiple assistive technologies
Provide accessible alternatives for complex content

Legal Considerations

Section 508 mandates WCAG 2.0 Level AA for all federal agencies. Many states have similar requirements.

Finance & Banking

Financial institutions must ensure their websites and online banking platforms are accessible. ADA compliance is required, and inaccessible banking can prevent customers from managing their finances.