Accessibility & Squarespace Design
At Ellie Makes Websites, I believe great design is more than just pixels—it’s about purpose and the inclusion of everyone. As a freelance Squarespace designer, I help businesses build websites that are not only beautiful and strategic but also inclusive. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to make your Squarespace site more accessible for all users, because thoughtful design should work for everyone.
Creating a website isn’t just about making things look good—it’s about making them work well for everyone. Whether you're a small business, a digital artist, or a fellow Squarespace designer, this guide will show you how to build inclusive websites that feel as good as they look. From colour contrast and alt text to improving usability, let’s explore practical tools and thoughtful practices to design with heart and purpose.
♿ Accessibility: Making Your Website Welcoming for All
Designing accessibly means everyone—regardless of physical or cognitive ability—can navigate and engage with your content. Here’s how to elevate inclusion in Squarespace:
✅ Accessibility Best Practices
Choose accessible fonts like Helvetica or Georgia with good legibility
Ensure colour contrast meets WCAG standards and ensure adequate contrast between text and background (use WebAIM or Contrast Ratio tools to test your palette)
Use proper heading hierarchy (H1–H3) for screen reader navigation and a logical structure to your content
Add meaningful alt text to all images, including decorative ones, so screen readers can convey their purpose.
Label forms and buttons clearly; avoid vague text like “Click here”, and include error messages that are easy to understand
Test navigation using only a keyboard to ensure accessibility (it needs to be keyboard-friendly so users can navigate with tab or arrow keys, for example — Squarespace templates largely support this by default)
🔧 Squarespace Features That Help
Native support for ARIA labels (Accessible Rich Internet Applications)
- These are attributes used in HTML to improve accessibility for users who rely on screen readers and other assistive technologies.Built-in responsiveness (so your site adapts to all devices)
Fluid Engine’s drag-and-drop editor allows thoughtful content flow
♿ Top Accessibility Widgets for Squarespace
| Widget | Key Features | How to Embed |
|---|---|---|
| UserWay | Text resize, contrast toggle, screen reader, keyboard nav | Sign up at UserWay.org → paste code into Code Injection → Footer |
| accessiBe | AI-powered profiles for ADHD, vision, motor impairments | Create at accessibe.com → paste code into Header |
| EqualWeb | Multilingual widget, accessibility profiles, scanning | Register at equalweb.com → paste into Code Injection → Footer |
| AudioEye | Screen reader enhancements, automated compliance | Subscribe via audioeye.com → embed via Code Injection |
| Axe DevTools | Manual testing via browser extension | Install from Deque → use for audits (no live embed) |
Whether you're booking a development day or refining your site’s SEO, accessibility and usability are values I bring to every project. At Ellie Makes Websites, I craft digital experiences that feel good, function beautifully, and reflect the heart of your business. If you're ready to elevate your Squarespace site with inclusive design choices, book a free discovery call and let’s make something meaningful together.
