Squarespace Accessibility Audit

Testing Context

This analysis combines findings from:

1. Live testing session (documented in video)

2. Backend Discovery (done after video recording) where our accessibility expert examined platform settings

Skip Link Implementation

Initial testing began with keyboard navigation to check for skip links. When pressing Tab, a "Skip to Content" link appeared as the first focusable element. While functionally correct, testing revealed some contrast issues with the default styling.

Matrix Findings Summary: ✓ Passes:

• Skip link presence

• Skip link is first focusable element

• Skip link shifts keyboard focus to content properly

⚠ Concerns:

• Skip link contrast issues with default button styles (though likely configurable by users)

Navigation Structure Implementation

Testing focused on the semantic structure and keyboard interaction patterns of navigation elements. The implementation showed mixed results, particularly around dropdown functionality and mobile menu behavior.

Matrix Findings Summary: ✓ Passes:

• Proper nav tag usage

• Dropdown keyboard accessibility

• Visible keyboard focus indicators

• Works on zoom at both 200% and 400%

✗ Fails:

• Nav tag lacks proper labeling

• Users cannot define nav tag aria-label

• No separate buttons for opening/closing dropdowns

• Missing aria-expanded, aria-controls attributes

• Mobile menu requires return key instead of space, lacks focus lock

Accordion Implementation

Testing revealed a notably strong accordion implementation - the best observed across all tested platforms. The accordions demonstrated proper semantic structure and ARIA usage.

Matrix Findings Summary: ✓ Passes:

• Titles implemented as headings with button tags

• Proper aria-expanded usage

• Correct aria-controls implementation

• No hidden content read by screen readers

• No keyboard traps

• Works well on zoom

• Visible focus indicators

Contact Form Implementation

Form testing revealed a robust implementation with strong accessibility features, though with some minor issues around autocomplete attributes.

Matrix Findings Summary: ✓ Passes:

• Proper field labeling

• No placeholder text misuse

• Required fields properly indicated both visually and programmatically

• Error summary appears above fields

• Descriptive error messages

• Proper color contrast

• Correct fieldset/legend usage

• Focus indicators present

• Success messages announced

✗ Fails:

• Email field missing proper autocomplete attribute

⚠ Concerns:

• Inconsistent screen reader announcement of error messages on first attempt

Video Implementation

Testing examined both platform-hosted videos and YouTube embeds. The implementation showed good basic accessibility but lacked some advanced features.

Matrix Findings Summary: ✓ Passes:

• All controls keyboard focusable

• Controls properly coded as buttons

• Accessible button names

• YouTube embed properly implemented

✗ Fails:

• No caption support for platform videos

• Missing focus indicators on some video controls

• Settings button disappears at 400% zoom

Carousel Implementation

Carousel testing revealed a strong foundation with proper semantic structure and keyboard support.

Matrix Findings Summary: ✓ Passes:

• Proper region/section wrapping with aria-label

• Slides implemented as list items

• Previous/next buttons properly labeled

• Visible focus indicators

• Works well on zoom

✗ Fails:

• Screen readers read hidden items

• Focus doesn't automatically shift to slides when using navigation

Document Structure and Language

Testing included examination of landmark regions, document language, and overall page structure. Squarespace demonstrated strong fundamentals in this area.

Matrix Findings Summary: ✓ Passes:

• Content properly contained in landmark regions

• Correct tab/reading order

• Proper page language definition

• No justified text

• Visual order matches DOM order

Overall Platform Metrics

Final quantitative assessment from matrix:

• Total passing criteria: 58

• Total concerns: 2

• Total failures: 21

• Total N/A items: 2

• Percentage of good applicable checks: 71.60%

• Platform ranking: 2nd out of 5 tested platforms

Technical Recommendations

Based on combined testing observations and matrix results:

Critical Priorities:

• Implement proper nav tag labeling

• Add aria-expanded and aria-controls to dropdowns

• Fix mobile menu keyboard interaction

• Add caption support for platform videos

• Ensure consistent focus indicators across all controls

• Fix screen reader behavior with carousel hidden items

Enhancement Opportunities:

• Improve skip link contrast

• Add proper autocomplete attributes to all form fields

• Implement consistent error announcement in forms

• Ensure all controls remain visible at 400% zoom

• Add support for video transcripts

Conclusion

Squarespace has strong accessibility support across most areas, with particularly robust implementations of accordions and forms. The platform scored 71.60% on applicable accessibility checks, ranking 2nd among tested platforms. While some issues exist around navigation controls and video features, the overall implementation demonstrates a strong commitment to accessibility best practices. The platform provides a solid foundation for creating accessible websites, though some attention is needed when implementing certain interactive elements to ensure full accessibility compliance.