The Web’s Biggest Accessibility Crisis (And How WordPress Users Can Fix It)
By: Daniela Belen Soibelman
The internet is inaccessible to millions. 15% of the world’s population lives with disabilities that impact how they browse, shop, and interact online. Yet, only 3% of websites meet accessibility standards.
Why? Because accessibility is misunderstood.
Web creators often believe:
❌ It’s too complicated – Accessibility guidelines seem overwhelming.
❌ It’s too risky – What if I do it wrong and face legal issues?
❌ It’s too expensive – Accessibility is only for big businesses, right?
❌ It’s just for compliance – But true accessibility is about usability.
This hesitation has left businesses vulnerable to lawsuits, lost customers, and SEO penalties—all because accessibility wasn’t considered from the start.
That’s where Ally by Elementor comes in.
Meet Ally: Accessibility Plugin for WordPress by Elementor
Ally is a free web accessibility plugin developed by Elementor, the leading website-building platform for WordPress. Designed to make web accessibility easy, actionable, and stress-free, Ally helps site owners improve inclusivity without complexity or high costs.
Unlike accessibility overlays that don’t fix the root problems, Ally gives WordPress users the right tools and the right knowledge to make meaningful improvements.
And yes, it’s free—not a trial, not a limited-time offer. You get essential accessibility features at no cost for up to 10K visits per month.
What Can Ally Do Right Now?
✅ Usability Widget – Helps visitors adjust text size, contrast, and other settings.
✅ Accessibility Statement Generator – Helps you meet accessibility requirements by providing a clear, customizable statement about your site’s accessibility efforts.
✅ User Analytics – Track how users engage with accessibility features, including widget interactions and assistive technology usage, such as screen readers. Available as premium features.
Ally is built for every WordPress website—whether you use Elementor, another page builder, or native WordPress.
What’s Next for Ally?
Ally is more than just a widget and statement —it’s evolving into a full accessibility solution for WordPress.
- Automatic Accessibility Scanner – Detects common accessibility issues across your site.
- AI-Powered Fixes – Provides guided recommendations to help web creators resolve problems.
- More Accessibility Features – Continuous improvements to enhance usability and compliance, with both free and premium upgrades planned.
Ally isn’t just a tool—it’s a step toward a more accessible web for everyone.
The Biggest Accessibility Mistakes WordPress Users Make
Most accessibility issues happen because web creators don’t know what to look for. Here are four common mistakes from different WCAG 2.2 success criteria:
- Missing Alternative Text (WCAG 1.1.1) – Images without alt text leave blind users with no context.
- Low Contrast Text (WCAG 1.4.3) – Poor contrast makes reading difficult for visually impaired users.
- Keyboard Navigation Fails (WCAG 2.1.1) – Websites that require a mouse block users with motor disabilities.
- Inconsistent ARIA Labels (WCAG 4.1.2) – Incorrect screen reader labels confuse users with visual impairments.
These are just a few of the hundreds of barriers that people with disabilities face online.
How Ally Helps Web Creators Fix Accessibility Issues
Instead of overwhelming users with complex guidelines, Ally makes accessibility improvements step by step, with real impact.
Problem: A website uses low-contrast colors that make reading difficult.Solution with Ally: The usability widget allows visitors to adjust contrast settings for better readability.
Problem: A WordPress blog has images without alternative text.Coming Soon: Ally’s accessibility scanner will detect missing alt text and guide users to add accurate descriptions.
Problem: An online store’s checkout process is inaccessible to keyboard users.Coming Soon: Ally’s remediation wizard will suggest fixes and even implement them for improved site navigation.
By making accessibility an ongoing process, not a one-time audit, Ally helps WordPress users bridge the gap between inaction and real change.
Why Accessibility Is No Longer Optional
# The European Accessibility Act (EAA) will require compliance by 2025
.# The U.S. DOJ is increasing ADA enforcement, with more accessibility lawsuits every year.
# Google prioritizes user-friendly, accessible sites in search rankings. Ignoring accessibility hurts SEO, conversions, and brand reputation.
Ally Is Free – Get Started Today
Most businesses won’t act until they’re forced to—but smart web creators are getting ahead now. Ally makes starting easy, scaling effortless, and improving accessibility more achievable—at no cost.
Try Ally today and future-proof your WordPress website.