The Most Accessible Shopify Themes in 2025 (And How to Fix the Ones That Aren't)

When it comes to building an inclusive online store, choosing accessible Shopify themes is one of the most critical decisions you'll make. While Shopify has made significant strides in improving baseline accessibility across its platform, the reality is that no theme is perfectly accessible out of the box—and some fall dangerously short of compliance standards.

For eCommerce businesses generating between $1M and $50M annually, accessibility isn't just a nice-to-have feature: it's a legal requirement and a business imperative. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), your Shopify store must be accessible to people with disabilities, including those who use screen readers, keyboard navigation, or other assistive technologies. In 2024 alone, over 4,500 accessibility-related lawsuits were filed against online retailers, with many targeting Shopify stores that assumed their theme was compliant by default.

This comprehensive guide examines the most accessible Shopify themes available in 2025, reveals common accessibility pitfalls in popular themes, and explains how to remediate themes that don't meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards—the benchmark for ADA compliance.

Understanding Shopify Theme Accessibility Standards

Before diving into specific themes, it's crucial to understand what makes a Shopify theme truly accessible. Accessibility compliance is measured against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which are organized into four core principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR).

WCAG 2.1 Level AA Requirements for Shopify Themes

WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the legal standard referenced in most accessibility lawsuits and is required for ADA compliance. For Shopify themes, this means:

Perceivable Content:

• All images must have meaningful alternative text that conveys the same information to screen reader users
• Color cannot be the only means of conveying information (like sale prices in red)
• Contrast ratios must be at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text
• Video content must include captions and audio descriptions

Operable Interface:

• All functionality must be available via keyboard navigation without requiring specific timing
• Users must be able to pause, stop, or hide moving content
• Navigation must be consistent and predictable across all pages
• Focus indicators must be clearly visible when navigating with a keyboard

Understandable Information:

• Text must be readable and understandable with clear labels for form inputs
• Web pages must appear and operate in predictable ways
• Error messages must clearly identify problems and suggest solutions
• Instructions must not rely solely on sensory characteristics like shape or location

Robust Content:

• Markup must be valid and compatible with current and future assistive technologies
• Status messages must be programmatically determinable by assistive technologies
• Proper semantic HTML must be used throughout the theme

According to WebAIM's 2024 Million Website Analysis, 96.3% of home pages contain detectable WCAG 2 failures. The average website has 57.7 accessibility errors per page, with the most common issues being low contrast text (81%), missing alternative text (58.2%), and empty links (50.1%).

Why Theme Selection Matters for Compliance

Your choice of Shopify theme directly impacts your baseline accessibility and the effort required to achieve compliance. A well-structured theme with semantic HTML, proper ARIA labels, and logical heading hierarchies provides a solid foundation that requires minimal remediation. Conversely, a poorly coded theme can introduce hundreds of accessibility violations that are time-consuming and expensive to fix.

Beyond legal compliance, accessible themes deliver measurable business benefits:

• Expanded Market Reach: The CDC reports that 26% of U.S. adults live with some type of disability, representing $490 billion in annual disposable income
• Improved SEO Performance: Search engines favor websites with proper semantic structure, alt text, and clear navigation—all core accessibility requirements
• Enhanced User Experience: Features like clear navigation, readable text, and keyboard accessibility benefit all users, not just those with disabilities
• Higher Conversion Rates: A Click-Away Pound study found that 71% of users with disabilities will leave a website that's difficult to use, representing significant revenue loss

The Most Accessible Shopify Themes in 2025

Shopify's theme ecosystem has evolved significantly, with newer themes incorporating better accessibility practices from the ground up. However, "better" doesn't mean "compliant"—even the most accessible themes require additional remediation to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards.

Dawn: Shopify's Accessible Flagship Theme

Accessibility Rating: 7.5/10

Dawn is Shopify's default free theme and represents the platform's current accessibility baseline. Launched in 2021 as part of Shopify's Online Store 2.0 initiative, Dawn was built with accessibility as a core design principle and serves as the foundation for many modern Shopify themes.

Strengths:

• Clean semantic HTML structure with proper heading hierarchies
• Keyboard navigation support throughout most components
• ARIA labels on interactive elements like buttons and links
• Responsive design that adapts well to zoom levels up to 200%
• Consistent focus indicators on interactive elements
• Built-in skip navigation links for screen reader users

Common Accessibility Issues:

• Some color contrast ratios fall below 4.5:1, particularly in product cards and announcement bars
• Missing alternative text on decorative images isn't handled consistently
• Product image galleries can trap keyboard focus
• Mobile menu toggles sometimes lack proper ARIA expanded states
• Dynamic content loading doesn't always announce to screen readers

Best For: Minimalist stores prioritizing clean design and baseline accessibility. Dawn is ideal for businesses willing to invest in professional remediation to achieve full compliance.

View Dawn on Shopify Theme Store

Craft: The Accessibility-Forward Premium Theme

Accessibility Rating: 8/10

Craft, developed by Shopify's internal theme team, is specifically marketed as an accessibility-conscious theme with robust support for assistive technologies. It's part of Shopify's newer generation of themes that prioritize both aesthetics and usability.

Strengths:

• Enhanced keyboard navigation with clear focus management
• Improved color contrast options across all default color schemes
• Better screen reader announcements for dynamic content
• More consistent alternative text handling in image components
• Accessible form validation with clear error messaging
• Logical tab order maintained throughout complex page layouts

Common Accessibility Issues:

• Parallax scrolling effects can cause motion sensitivity issues
• Some product filtering components lack proper ARIA live region announcements
• Video components don't consistently include caption options
• Quick view modals can trap focus if not properly managed

Best For: Premium brands that need a polished aesthetic without compromising accessibility. Craft requires less remediation than most themes but still needs professional review.

View Craft on Shopify Theme Store

Sense: Accessible Multi-Purpose Theme

Accessibility Rating: 7/10

Sense is a versatile free theme from Shopify that works well for various product types and industry verticals. As one of Shopify's free themes, it provides a solid starting point for accessibility-conscious merchants on a budget.

Strengths:

• Strong semantic structure with logical content hierarchy
• Consistent navigation patterns across desktop and mobile
• Good color contrast in default configurations
• Accessible dropdown menus with proper keyboard support
• Clear focus indicators on interactive elements

Common Accessibility Issues:

• Image sliders and carousels lack pause controls
• Some interactive elements missing proper ARIA labels
• Product variant selectors don't always announce changes to screen readers
• Insufficient color contrast in certain preset color combinations
• Form validation errors not always programmatically associated with inputs

Best For: Stores needing flexibility across different product types with decent baseline accessibility.

View Sense on Shopify Theme Store

Refresh: Modern Theme with Accessibility Considerations

Accessibility Rating: 7/10

Refresh is a contemporary Shopify theme that balances modern design aesthetics with improved accessibility features. It's particularly popular among lifestyle and wellness brands.

Strengths:

• Clean, contemporary design with good base structure
• Improved heading hierarchy compared to older themes
• Better mobile responsiveness and touch target sizing
• Decent keyboard navigation on core components

Common Accessibility Issues:

• Modern animations and transitions can trigger motion sensitivity
• Some decorative elements lack proper hiding from assistive technologies
• Product quick view features need better focus management
• Color contrast issues in certain style presets

Best For: Brands seeking modern aesthetics with willingness to address animation and contrast issues.

View Refresh on Shopify Theme Store

Studio: Editorial-Focused Accessible Theme

Accessibility Rating: 7.5/10

Studio is designed for editorial and content-rich stores, with a focus on storytelling alongside product sales. Its structured approach to content naturally lends itself to better accessibility.

Strengths:

• Strong content hierarchy that supports screen reader navigation
• Well-implemented article and blog layouts
• Good typography with readable default font sizes
• Consistent navigation patterns across complex layouts

Common Accessibility Issues:

• Complex grid layouts can create confusing navigation order
• Some featured content sections rely heavily on visual design
• Image-heavy layouts require careful alt text implementation
• Mixed media components need additional testing

Best For: Content-driven stores that need editorial layouts with accessible structure.

View Studio on Shopify Theme Store

Shopify Themes to Approach with Caution

While many Shopify themes have improved their accessibility, some popular themes present significant compliance challenges that require extensive remediation.

Themes with Known Accessibility Barriers

Turbo Theme (6/10 Accessibility Rating)

Turbo is one of the most popular paid Shopify themes, known for its speed and extensive features. However, its complexity introduces numerous accessibility issues:

• Heavy reliance on JavaScript for core functionality creates problems when assistive technologies can't execute scripts
• Quick shop features often lack proper keyboard navigation
• Product image zoom functions don't announce state changes to screen readers
• Mega menus can be difficult to navigate with keyboard alone
• Insufficient color contrast in several preset color schemes

View Turbo on Shopify Theme Store

Prestige Theme (6/10 Accessibility Rating)

Prestige is marketed toward luxury brands but falls short on accessibility:

• Parallax effects and animations can trigger motion sensitivity issues
• Low color contrast ratios in text overlays on images
• Product filtering sidebar lacks proper ARIA labels and keyboard support
• Sticky headers can cause confusion for screen reader users
• Video backgrounds lack pause controls

View Prestige on Shopify Theme Store

Brooklyn Theme (5.5/10 Accessibility Rating)

Despite being a Shopify-developed theme, Brooklyn has several accessibility problems:

• Slideshow controls lack proper ARIA labels
• Product images in grid layouts don't maintain logical reading order
• Search functionality doesn't announce results to screen readers
• Mobile menu uses non-standard interaction patterns
• Insufficient heading structure on collection pages

View Brooklyn on Shopify Theme Store

Impulse Theme (6.5/10 Accessibility Rating)

Impulse is designed for large catalogs with rich product displays, but its feature-heavy approach creates accessibility challenges:

• Heavy JavaScript dependency affects assistive technology compatibility
• Product quick views and modals have focus management issues
• Image galleries lack proper keyboard controls
• Sticky add-to-cart buttons can interfere with navigation
• Some interactive elements lack descriptive labels

View Impulse on Shopify Theme Store

Red Flags in Shopify Theme Accessibility

When evaluating any Shopify theme from the Shopify Theme Store, watch for these common red flags that indicate accessibility challenges:

1. Excessive animation and motion effects without user controls
2. Image-based text instead of actual text rendered in HTML
3. Complex JavaScript interactions that bypass standard HTML controls
4. Auto-playing media without pause or stop controls
5. Color-only information like red/green stock status indicators
6. Tiny clickable areas that are difficult for users with motor impairments
7. Missing form labels or labels that aren't properly associated with inputs
8. Infinite scroll without pagination alternatives
9. Modal dialogs that trap keyboard focus or lack close buttons
10. Custom dropdowns that don't work with native browser controls

According to Shopify's theme documentation, theme developers should follow accessibility best practices, but implementation varies significantly across themes. Always test themes thoroughly before committing to them for your store.

Common Accessibility Issues Across All Shopify Themes

Regardless of which theme you choose, certain accessibility issues appear consistently across the Shopify platform. Understanding these systemic problems helps you prioritize remediation efforts.

Image Alternative Text Problems

Alternative text (alt text) is one of the most common accessibility failures on Shopify stores. While Shopify provides fields for adding alt text, the implementation has several issues:

Missing Alt Text: Many merchants leave alt text fields blank, causing screen readers to announce filename or skip images entirely. Product images without alt text prevent blind users from understanding what's being sold.

Poor Alt Text Quality: Merchants often write alt text that simply repeats the product name rather than describing the actual visual content. Alt text like "blue shirt" fails to convey cut, style, material, or other visual details that sighted users see.

Decorative Image Handling: Shopify themes don't consistently mark decorative images with empty alt attributes (alt=""), causing screen readers to announce irrelevant content.

Solution: According to the W3C's Image Tutorial, effective alt text should describe the content and function of an image. For product images, include details about style, color, cut, material, and distinguishing features. For decorative images used purely for aesthetic purposes, use alt="" to hide them from screen readers.

Color Contrast Failures

Low color contrast is the most prevalent accessibility issue across all websites, including Shopify stores. WCAG 2.1 requires:

• Normal text (under 18pt): minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio
• Large text (18pt+ or 14pt bold): minimum 3:1 contrast ratio
• Interactive elements: minimum 3:1 contrast ratio against adjacent colors

Common contrast problems in Shopify themes include:

• Light gray text on white backgrounds (often 2:1 or less)
• White text on light product images without sufficient background overlays
• Pale link colors that blend with surrounding text
• Low contrast placeholder text in form fields
• Disabled button states that are too light to perceive

Solution: Use tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker to evaluate color combinations or TestParty's Color Contrast Picker (see here for the NPM package). Most contrast issues can be fixed by darkening text colors or adding semi-transparent overlays behind text on images.

Keyboard Navigation Barriers

Keyboard accessibility is essential for users who cannot use a mouse due to motor disabilities, blindness, or other conditions. Common keyboard navigation problems include:

Focus Traps: Modal dialogs, mega menus, or product quick views that trap keyboard focus, preventing users from accessing the rest of the page.

Missing Focus Indicators: Interactive elements that don't show visible focus indicators when navigating with the Tab key, making it impossible to see which element is currently selected.

Illogical Tab Order: Focus jumping between unrelated elements rather than following the visual layout of the page.

Inaccessible Custom Controls: Custom-coded dropdowns, sliders, or other controls that don't respond to standard keyboard commands (Enter, Space, Arrow keys, Escape).

Solution: Test your entire store using only a keyboard. You should be able to access every interactive element, see where focus is at all times, and never get trapped. Focus should follow a logical order that matches the visual layout.

Form Accessibility Issues

Shopify forms, including checkout, contact forms, and newsletter signups, often contain accessibility violations:

• Labels that aren't programmatically associated with their inputs
• Required field indicators that rely only on color (red asterisks)
• Error messages that aren't associated with specific fields
• CAPTCHA implementations that lack audio alternatives
• Placeholder text used instead of proper labels

Solution: Every form input must have a properly associated label element. Use the <label for="input-id"> pattern or wrap inputs inside label elements. Error messages should use aria-describedby to associate them with the relevant input field. According to Nielsen Norman Group research, placeholder text should never replace labels as it creates multiple accessibility and usability problems.

Dynamic Content and AJAX Updates

Modern Shopify themes heavily rely on JavaScript to load content dynamically without full page refreshes. Common issues include:

• Product filtering that updates without announcing changes to screen readers
• Cart additions that don't inform users the action was successful
• Loading states that aren't communicated to assistive technologies
• Infinite scroll that doesn't provide alternative pagination
• Content updates that move keyboard focus unexpectedly

Solution: Dynamic content updates must use ARIA live regions (aria-live, aria-atomic, role="alert") to announce changes to screen readers. Focus management should be intentional—when opening a modal, move focus to the modal; when closing it, return focus to the trigger element.

How to Audit Your Current Shopify Theme for Accessibility

Before implementing fixes, you need to understand your current accessibility baseline. A comprehensive audit identifies violations, prioritizes them by severity, and provides a roadmap for remediation.

Automated Accessibility Testing Tools

Automated tools can quickly identify 30-40% of accessibility issues, making them a valuable starting point:

Browser Extensions:

• axe DevTools: Free browser extension that scans pages for WCAG violations with detailed remediation guidance
• WAVE: Visual feedback tool that shows accessibility errors directly on your page
• Lighthouse: Built into Chrome DevTools, provides accessibility scores and recommendations

Limitations of Automated Tools:

While automated scanners are helpful, they cannot detect many critical accessibility issues that require human judgment:

• Whether alt text actually describes image content meaningfully
• Whether heading structures create logical document outlines
• Whether keyboard navigation follows intuitive patterns
• Whether content makes sense when read by screen readers
• Whether color contrast is sufficient in all viewing conditions

A recent study found that automated tools detect only about 25-35% of WCAG violations. Manual testing is essential for comprehensive compliance.

Manual Testing Procedures

Manual testing reveals the accessibility issues that automated tools miss:

Keyboard Navigation Test:

1. Unplug your mouse or disable your trackpad
2. Navigate your entire site using only Tab, Shift+Tab, Enter, Space, and Arrow keys
3. Verify you can access all interactive elements
4. Confirm focus indicators are always visible
5. Ensure focus never gets trapped in any component
6. Check that focus order matches visual layout

Screen Reader Test:

• Windows: NVDA (free) or JAWS (paid)
• Mac: VoiceOver (built-in)
• Mobile: TalkBack (Android) or VoiceOver (iOS)

Navigate your site with a screen reader active to verify:

• All images have meaningful alternative text
• Form inputs have properly associated labels
• Headings create a logical document structure
• Links and buttons have descriptive text
• Dynamic content changes are announced
• Navigation is understandable without visual context

Color and Contrast Test: Use browser extensions or online tools to verify all text meets contrast requirements. Test your site with:

• Color blindness simulators to ensure information isn't conveyed by color alone
• Zoom levels up to 200% to verify text remains readable and layouts don't break
• Windows High Contrast Mode to verify content remains visible

Mobile Accessibility Test: Test your responsive theme on actual mobile devices:

• Touch targets should be at least 44x44 pixels
• Text should remain readable at mobile zoom levels
• Mobile navigation should be keyboard accessible
• Orientation changes shouldn't break functionality

How to Fix Accessibility Issues in Your Shopify Theme

Once you've identified accessibility issues, you need a clear path to remediation. You have three main options: DIY fixes, traditional accessibility agencies, or comprehensive done-for-you services.

The Accessibility Widget Trap

Many Shopify merchants install accessibility overlay widgets like accessiBe, UserWay, or AudioEye. These tools promise automatic compliance through JavaScript overlays that modify page content in browsers.

The Problem: Accessibility overlays don't actually fix issues in your source code. They attempt to patch problems in the browser after pages load, but this approach has fundamental limitations:

• Overlays can't fix contrast issues in images or poor color choices in designs
• They can't add meaningful alt text to images (only generic descriptions)
• They don't fix underlying heading structure or semantic HTML problems
• They often introduce new accessibility problems of their own
• They don't satisfy legal requirements for source code compliance

According to an analysis by WebAIM, "overlays do not provide full conformance with any accessibility standard and cannot do so." In fact, over 400 Shopify stores using accessibility widgets have been sued for non-compliance since 2020, because overlays simply don't fix the actual problems.

DIY Remediation Approach

If you have internal development resources and want to tackle accessibility remediation yourself, follow this systematic approach:

Phase 1: Fix Critical Issues (Weeks 1-2)

Focus on violations that pose the highest legal risk:

1. Keyboard Access: Ensure all interactive elements are keyboard accessible
2. Form Labels: Add proper labels to all form inputs
3. Alt Text: Add meaningful alternative text to all images
4. Color Contrast: Fix all text that doesn't meet 4.5:1 contrast ratio

Phase 2: Address Structural Issues (Weeks 3-4)

Improve the underlying accessibility foundation:

1. Heading Structure: Ensure logical heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3, etc.)
2. Semantic HTML: Use proper HTML elements (<nav>, <main>, <article>, etc.)
3. Skip Navigation: Add skip links for keyboard users
4. Landmark Regions: Use ARIA landmarks to identify page sections

Phase 3: Enhance Interactive Components (Weeks 5-8)

Fix complex components that require advanced accessibility implementation:

1. Dropdown Menus: Implement proper ARIA attributes and keyboard controls
2. Modal Dialogs: Fix focus management and add proper ARIA roles
3. Carousels and Sliders: Add pause controls and keyboard navigation
4. Dynamic Content: Implement ARIA live regions for content updates

Estimated Effort: Comprehensive DIY remediation typically requires 200-400 hours of specialized development work, depending on theme complexity and violation count.

The TestParty Solution

TestParty's Shopify accessibility service is specifically designed to address the challenges that make traditional remediation fail:

Complete Remediation in Two Weeks: Unlike agencies that only audit, TestParty duplicates your current theme and applies accessibility fixes directly to the source code. Within two weeks, your store is fully accessible and legally compliant. This includes:

• Fixing all color contrast issues throughout the theme
• Adding proper semantic HTML structure with logical heading hierarchies
• Implementing keyboard navigation for all interactive elements
• Adding ARIA labels and live regions for dynamic content
• Creating meaningful alt text for all product and content images
• Fixing form accessibility with proper labels and error handling
• Resolving focus management issues in modals and overlays

Daily Automated Monitoring: After initial compliance, TestParty scans your site daily to detect new accessibility issues introduced by theme updates, new products, content changes, or app installations. New violations are identified and remediated automatically before they become legal risks.

Monthly Expert Audits: Automated scanning detects many issues, but human validation is essential for true compliance. TestParty conducts monthly manual audits using screen readers, keyboard navigation testing, and zoom testing.

Date-Stamped Compliance Documentation: Each month, you receive a human-validated report that serves as legal documentation of your compliance efforts. This documentation is critical if you receive a demand letter or lawsuit.

This "always-on" approach to accessibility is what digital accessibility should be: proactive, routine, and integrated into every stage of your store's operation.

Conclusion: Choosing and Fixing Accessible Shopify Themes

Choosing accessible Shopify themes is an important first step, but it's only the beginning of your accessibility journey. No theme is perfectly accessible out of the box, and even the best themes like Dawn and Craft require professional remediation to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards and ADA compliance.

Key Takeaways

1. No Theme is Fully Accessible: Even Shopify's most accessible themes require significant remediation to achieve compliance
2. Automated Tools Have Limits: While helpful for initial screening, automated tools detect only 30-40% of accessibility issues
3. Widgets Don't Work: Accessibility overlay widgets don't fix source code issues and won't protect you from lawsuits
4. Manual Testing is Essential: Screen reader and keyboard testing reveals issues that automated scanners miss
5. Professional Help Accelerates Compliance: DIY remediation takes 200-400 hours versus two weeks with done-for-you services

Start Your Accessibility Journey Today

Whether you're launching a new Shopify store or retrofitting an existing one, prioritize accessibility from the beginning. The legal landscape continues to evolve, and proactive compliance protects your business while expanding your market reach.

If you're ready to make your Shopify store fully accessible and legally compliant without the complexity of managing it yourself, learn more about TestParty's Shopify accessibility service or schedule a consultation to discuss your specific accessibility needs.

Additional Resources:

• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1
• Shopify's Accessibility Guide for Merchants
• Shopify Theme Store
• Shopify Theme Development Best Practices
• WebAIM Resources and Articles
• A11y Project Checklist

By choosing accessible Shopify themes and implementing proper remediation, you're not just avoiding lawsuits—you're building a better, more inclusive online store that serves all customers effectively.