How to Build an Inclusive Website? Drupal Accessibility Tips and Tricks

An accessible website ensures that all users, including those with disabilities, can interact with and benefit from your content, leading to a broader audience reach and improved user experience. However, many websites fail to meet accessibility standards, causing frustration for users and legal risks for businesses. Drupal offers robust accessibility features and best practices, making it easier to build inclusive, compliant, and user-friendly digital experiences.

In this article:

• Why accessibility matters in web development
• How Drupal supports web accessibility
• Key Drupal accessibility features and tools
• Best practices for building an accessible Drupal website
• Testing and maintaining accessibility in Drupal
• Making Drupal accessibility a priority

Why accessibility matters in web development

Web accessibility has evolved from a nice-to-have feature into a crucial necessity for ensuring digital experiences are inclusive, easy to navigate, and available to all users. Guaranteeing that all users, including those with disabilities, can access and interact with your website brings multiple benefits, ranging from legal compliance to business growth and ethical responsibility.

Legal and compliance reasons

Many countries have established web accessibility laws to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities. Regulations such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the U.S., the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) set by the W3C, and the European Accessibility Act (EAA) mandate that digital services be accessible to all users. Non-compliance can lead to lawsuits, fines, and reputational damage, making accessibility a legal necessity for businesses.

Business benefits of accessibility

Investing in accessibility extends your website’s reach to a broader audience. According to the World Health Organization, over 1 billion people worldwide live with some form of disability. By making your site accessible, you cater to this significant user base, increasing engagement and conversions. Additionally, accessibility improvements enhance search engine optimization (SEO), as search engines favor well-structured, easy-to-navigate websites.

Ethical responsibility: equal access for all

Beyond compliance and business incentives, accessibility is a matter of digital inclusion. The internet should be a place where everyone, regardless of ability, has equal access to information and services. Prioritizing accessibility in web development ensures a positive user experience for all, fostering goodwill and demonstrating a commitment to corporate social responsibility.

By implementing accessibility best practices, businesses can create a more inclusive web while avoiding legal risks and unlocking new opportunities.

How Drupal supports web accessibility

Drupal has long been recognized for its strong commitment to accessibility, making it a powerful choice for organizations looking to create inclusive and compliant digital experiences. With built-in accessibility features, a dedicated community focused on continuous improvements,, and a range of modules designed to enhance usability, Drupal offers a solid foundation for accessible web development. It provides developers and content creators with the tools they need to build websites that are available for all users, including those with disabilities.

Drupal’s commitment to accessibility

Drupal follows the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) published by the World Wide Web Consortium and adheres to best practices that promote an inclusive web. Since Drupal 7, the platform has progressively enhanced its accessibility standards, ensuring that both the frontend user experience and the backend content management system (CMS) are accessible to users with different abilities.

Drupal’s accessibility initiatives focus on:

• Supporting semantic HTML to ensure screen readers and assistive technologies can interpret the website’s content correctly.
• Implementing ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes to enhance navigation and interactivity.
• Ensuring all default themes meet WCAG guidelines for color contrast, readability, and keyboard accessibility.

Built-in features for an accessible experience

Drupal comes with several out-of-the-box features that make it easier to create an accessible website, including:

• Keyboard navigation - Drupal’s core functionality allows for smooth keyboard navigation, ensuring users who rely on keyboard controls can interact with all site elements.
• Form labeling and error handling – properly labeled form fields and clear error messages help users with screen readers and cognitive disabilities complete forms efficiently.
• Responsive and scalable design – Drupal’s themes are built to be mobile-friendly and adaptable to various screen sizes, making the website’s content accessible across different devices.

These features lay the groundwork for accessible web experiences. Later in the article, we’ll take a closer look at Drupal's accessibility-related functionalities.

Drupal Community-driven accessibility enhancements

Drupal’s open source nature means that its global community of developers continuously works to improve accessibility. Regular updates and contributions help ensure compliance with evolving accessibility standards, and accessibility audits are conducted as part of Drupal’s core development process.

With a combination of built-in features, community-driven improvements, and a commitment to accessibility best practices, Drupal provides a strong foundation for building websites that aren’t only functional and visually appealing but also accessible to all users.

Key Drupal accessibility features and tools

Drupal offers a range of built-in accessibility features and additional tools that help developers and content creators build websites that are inclusive, user-friendly, and compliant with accessibility standards. From accessible themes to specialized modules, Drupal provides everything needed to enhance the digital experience for users with disabilities.

Themes and templates

Drupal’s default themes, such as Olivero and Claro, are designed with accessibility in mind. These themes follow WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines, ensuring proper color contrast, readable typography, and keyboard-friendly navigation. Additionally, developers can customize Drupal themes to maintain accessibility best practices while achieving a unique design.

Key features of Drupal’s accessible themes:

• High contrast and scalable fonts for better readability.
• Responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes.
• Keyboard navigation support for users who rely on assistive technologies.

Drupal accessibility modules

Drupal’s modular architecture allows users to extend accessibility features with a variety of contributed modules. Some of the most useful accessibility modules include:

• Editoria11y – a real-time accessibility checker that helps content editors identify issues within Drupal’s interface.

Demo of the Editoria11y accessibility module.

• Automatic Alternative Text – uses AI to generate alt text for images when none is provided, improving screen reader compatibility.

Example of the usage of Automatic Alternative Text, an accessibility module.

• Block ARIA Landmark Roles – this tool enables the addition of ARIA landmark roles to blocks, making it easier for assistive technologies to navigate a page.
• Text Resize Module – a very useful module that allows users to easily adjust font sizes for better readability.
• CKEditor Accessibility Checker – an accessibility plugin for CKEditor that scans content for issues and suggests fixes before publishing.

Source: Drupal.org

Content accessibility tools and automated testing

Ensuring an accessible Drupal website requires continuous testing and validation. Drupal integrates with several accessibility testing tools to help developers and content managers identify and resolve potential issues.

Some recommended accessibility testing tools include:

• Lighthouse – a built-in Chrome developer tool for checking accessibility scores and improvements.
• axe DevTools – a powerful accessibility auditing tool that identifies WCAG violations.
• Siteimprove Accessibility Checker – a module that integrates with Siteimprove’s accessibility analysis tool to provide automated reports.

By leveraging Drupal’s themes, accessibility modules, and automated testing tools, organizations can create websites that meet high standards of usability, accessibility, and overall user experience for a diverse audience.

Best practices for building an accessible Drupal website

Building an accessible website in Drupal requires a combination of best practices in design, development, and content creation. By following web content accessibility guidelines and leveraging Drupal’s built-in tools, you can ensure your website is inclusive, easy to navigate, and compliant with standards like WCAG 2.1 and ADA. Below are key best practices to follow when developing an accessible Drupal site.

1. Use proper heading structure and semantic HTML

A well-structured document helps both users and assistive technologies understand the hierarchy of content. Use H1 for the main title, followed by H2, H3, and H4 for subsections. Avoid skipping heading levels, as this can confuse screen readers.

Additionally, use semantic HTML elements like <nav>, <article>, and <section> to give meaning to page content, making it easier for assistive technologies to interpret.

2. Ensure high contrast and color accessibility

Color contrast plays a crucial role in readability. Follow these guidelines for color accessibility:

• Maintain a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (as per WCAG 2.1).
• Avoid relying solely on color to convey meaning—use labels, icons, or patterns to differentiate elements.
• Test your color scheme using tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker to ensure compliance.

3. Implement keyboard-friendly navigation

Many people with disabilities rely on keyboards instead of a mouse. To ensure seamless navigation:

• Make all interactive elements (buttons, links, forms) accessible via the Tab key.
• Use visible focus indicators to highlight active elements.
• Avoid using elements that require hover-only interactions, as these can be inaccessible for keyboard users.

Drupal’s built-in Olivero theme supports keyboard navigation out of the box, but always test your site to ensure smooth interaction.

4. Provide alternative text for images and multimedia

Alternative text (alt text) helps screen readers describe images to visually impaired users. Follow these alt text best practices:

• Use descriptive and concise text to convey the image's purpose.
• Avoid using "image of" or "picture of" in the description.
• Use the Automatic Alternative Text module in Drupal to generate AI-powered alt descriptions when needed.

For videos and audio content:

• Provide closed captions and transcripts to make content accessible to users with hearing impairments.
• Use Drupal modules like Media Entity to manage and embed accessible media files.

5. Create accessible forms with clear labels and error messages

Forms should be designed for accessibility by:

• Using label elements associated with each input field.
• Providing clear error messages and instructions for form fields.
• Ensuring form validation messages don’t rely solely on color.
• Allowing users to navigate and submit forms using only the keyboard.

The Webform module in Drupal allows for accessible form creation, supporting ARIA attributes and proper field labeling.

6. Enable ARIA roles and landmarks for better assistive technology support

Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) help screen readers interpret complex UI elements like modals, tooltips, and dynamic content. Some useful ARIA implementations in Drupal include:

• Landmark roles (<nav>, <main>, <aside>) to help users navigate sectons easily.
• ARIA labels for better context on buttons and icons.
• Live regions for real-time updates without disrupting screen reader flow.

The Block ARIA Landmark Roles module in Drupal helps developers assign these roles efficiently.

7. Regularly test accessibility and make continuous improvements

Accessibility is an ongoing process. Regularly test your Drupal website using:

• Automated tools like Lighthouse, axe DevTools, and Siteimprove.
• Manual testing by navigating the site with a keyboard and screen reader.
• User testing with people who have disabilities to get real-world feedback.

Drupal Community constantly updates accessibility features, so staying informed and applying updates is key to maintaining compliance.

Testing and maintaining accessibility in Drupal

Ensuring a Drupal website remains accessible isn’t a one-time task—it requires ongoing testing, monitoring, and improvements. Regular accessibility checks help identify and fix potential issues before they impact users, ensuring compliance with WCAG 2.1, ADA, and other accessibility standards. Here’s how to effectively test and maintain accessibility in Drupal.

Automated accessibility testing tools

Automated testing tools offer a quick way to catch common accessibility issues during development. Popular options like Lighthouse, axe DevTools, and Siteimprove help identify WCAG violations and provide actionable feedback. These tools are especially useful during the build and QA phases.

While automated testing helps catch basic issues, it should be supplemented with manual checks to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Manual accessibility testing

Automated tools can’t detect every accessibility barrier. Manual testing ensures real-world usability for people with disabilities. Best practices for manual testing include:

• Keyboard navigation test – navigate the entire site using only the keyboard (Tab, Shift + Tab, Enter, and Spacebar). Ensure that all interactive elements are reachable and functional.
• Screen reader testing – use screen readers like NVDA (Windows), VoiceOver (Mac), or JAWS to check how content is interpreted. Ensure logical reading order, correct heading structure, and meaningful alt text.
• Color contrast and text resizing – manually verify contrast ratios and check whether text remains legible when resized.

Drupal’s accessible Olivero theme supports keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility, but manual testing ensures that custom content and modules also meet accessibility standards.

Conducting regular accessibility audits

An accessibility audit should be part of routine Drupal website support and maintenance. Regularly reviewing templates, forms, and dynamic content helps prevent accessibility regressions.

A structured audit should include:

• WCAG compliance checks – ensure adherence to the latest Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
• User feedback and testing – engage users with disabilities to gather real-world insights.
• Review of new content – ensure that newly added images have alt text, headings follow a logical structure, and forms are accessible.

The already mentioned Drupal’s Editoria11y module provides in-editor accessibility checks, helping content creators maintain accessible pages.

Keeping up with Drupal’s accessibility updates

Drupal’s active development community continuously enhances accessibility features. Stay updated by:

• Applying core and module updates to benefit from the latest accessibility improvements.
• Following the Drupal accessibility initiative for new best practices and feature enhancements.
• Participating in DrupalCon and accessibility meetups to stay informed about the latest version of Drupal and accessibility trends.

Training content editors and developers on accessibility

Maintaining an accessible Drupal site requires a team effort. Educating Drupal developers, designers, and content editors about accessibility best practices ensures consistent compliance. Key training areas include:

• Writing descriptive alt text and properly structuring headings.
• Ensuring interactive elements are keyboard and screen-reader-friendly.
• Avoiding common mistakes like using “click here” as link text or relying on color alone for meaning.

The already mentioned CKEditor Accessibility Checker helps content teams review and correct accessibility issues before publishing content.

Regular accessibility testing and maintenance are essential to keeping a Drupal website inclusive and compliant. By combining automated tools, manual testing, audits, and continuous education, organizations can provide a seamless experience for all users.

Making Drupal accessibility a priority

Web accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about creating a digital experience that is inclusive for everyone. By making accessibility a priority in Drupal development, businesses can reach a broader audience, improve user engagement, and avoid legal risks associated with non-compliance.

Drupal’s built-in accessibility features, powerful modules, and community-driven enhancements provide an excellent foundation for building websites that meet WCAG, ADA, and other accessibility standards. However, accessibility is an ongoing process that requires regular testing, updates, and training to ensure a seamless experience for all users, including those with disabilities.

At Droptica, we specialize in Drupal development, consulting, and accessibility optimization. Whether you need a new accessible Drupal website, an audit of your existing site, or ongoing support and maintenance, our team of experts can help ensure your digital presence is fully accessible and compliant.