How to Pick a WCAG-Compliant Content Management System for Your Website

Amit Aggarwal is the founder and principal consultant at Accessibility Partners Canada, and a CMS Critic contributor. 

In today’s digital world, accessibility isn't just a legal requirement – it’s a vital part of creating an inclusive online experience. Selecting the right content management system that aligns with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is a key step toward achieving this goal. A well-chosen CMS makes accessibility an integrated feature rather than something added later.

However, choosing the best CMS can be a complex process, especially when balancing functionality, design flexibility, and compliance. That’s why many organizations work with experienced web accessibility consultants to ensure their CMS selection supports accessibility from the start, saving time and resources while making their website inclusive for all users.

In this guide, we’ll explore the key factors to consider when selecting a WCAG-compliant CMS so you can confidently choose the best system for your website.

Understanding WCAG Compliance

WCAG compliance refers to following a set of guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines outline best practices for creating web content that is accessible to people with disabilities, including those with vision, hearing, cognitive, and mobility impairments.

The WCAG standards are organized around four key principles (sometimes referred to as POUR), and your choice of CMS can play a critical role in meeting these principles effectively:

• Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presented intelligibly.
• Operable: User interface components and navigation must be accessible by all users.
• Understandable: Information and operation of the user interface must be clear and concise.
• Robust: Content must be robust enough to be interpreted reliably by various user agents, including assistive technologies.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a WCAG-Compliant CMS

1. Built-In Accessibility Features

A WCAG-compliant CMS should come with built-in accessibility features, reducing the burden of manual adjustments. These features often include (but are not limited to):

• Semantic HTML structure
• ARIA landmarks
• Keyboard navigability
• Screen reader compatibility
• Accessible forms and multimedia
• Color contrast options

Check to ensure whether the CMS actively supports WCAG standards and whether its core architecture is designed with accessibility in mind. Some platforms offer integrations with accessibility tools that address some of these requirements, but it's important to understand the interoperability of these products when delivering a compliant solution. 

2. Customizability Without Breaking Compliance

A CMS should allow customization without breaking accessibility standards. While templates and plugins can enhance functionality, they can also introduce accessibility barriers if not built correctly. Choose a system that enables developers to integrate accessibility features directly into custom designs and templates without significant rework.

3. Accessibility Auditing and Tools

Some CMS platforms offer built-in accessibility testing and auditing tools. These tools allow developers and content managers to assess whether their content meets WCAG guidelines before publishing. Having such tools within the CMS can save time and ensure ongoing compliance.

4. Responsive Design Capabilities

WCAG compliance also requires responsive design to accommodate various devices and screen sizes. Ensure your CMS supports responsive design principles and allows for adaptive adjustments without compromising accessibility.

5. Ongoing Accessibility Support

Web accessibility is not a one-time task—it’s an ongoing commitment. Choose a CMS vendor that offers continuous updates and accessibility support. Accessibility standards evolve, and your CMS should adapt accordingly.

Tips to Ensure WCAG Compliance After Choosing a CMS

Selecting the right CMS is just the first step. Implementing and maintaining accessibility is a continuous process. Here’s a simple roadmap:

• Work with experts: Collaborate with web accessibility consultants with a proven track record to audit your current site and guide your CMS selection.
• Choose accessibility-ready themes and templates: If you're working with a theme, make sure that it already meets WCAG standards and test it thoroughly to validate.
• Train your content creators: Ensure your team understands accessibility best practices for creating inclusive content. Provide them with access to ongoing learning resources.
• Test regularly: Use automated accessibility tools and manual testing to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Stay up to date: WCAG standards evolve; your CMS and processes should adapt accordingly.

Benefits of a WCAG-Compliant CMS

Choosing the right CMS and maintaining accessibility offers significant benefits:

• Legal compliance: Avoid lawsuits and penalties related to accessibility laws.
• Wider audience reach: Make your website usable for all visitors, including those with disabilities.
• Improved SEO: Accessibility features often enhance search engine optimization.
• Better user experience: Accessibility improvements benefit all users, not just those with disabilities.

Final Thoughts

Picking a WCAG-compliant CMS is a strategic investment in accessibility, user experience, and legal compliance. By focusing on features such as built-in accessibility tools, responsive design capabilities, and ongoing support, businesses can create inclusive digital environments that serve everyone.

Early collaboration with web accessibility consultants can guide the CMS selection process and ensure that accessibility is embedded from the ground up. This not only benefits users with disabilities but also improves the overall quality and reach of your website.

Upcoming Events

Storyblok JoyConf 2025

November 4, 2025 – New York, NY
November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CA

Join us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. Save your spot.

Sitecore Symposium 2025

November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FL

At Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. Get your tickets today.

RAISE: Lifting Content into the Future with Agentic CMS

November 11, 2025 – London, UK

Join Kontent.ai at RAISE: Lifting Content into the Future with Agentic CMS, a premier free event for forward-thinking marketing and technology leaders shaping the way today’s most ambitious brands create and deliver content. Expect bold ideas, discover innovative strategies, engage with industry leaders, and gain insights that will lift your content strategy to new heights. At RAISE, you'll learn how to deliver faster, more engaging content experiences while AI does the busywork of audits, compliance, and localization with Agentic CMS, built to give you and your teams more time on creativity that matters. Reserve your seat today.

Live Webinar: Can We Ever Get Composable Without Complexity?

November 20, 2025 – 6 PM (CET) / 5 PM (GMT) / 12 PM (EST)

Composable architecture promised to simplify digital experience creation by giving organizations the flexibility to combine the technologies that met their needs. But for many enterprises, it’s done the opposite, which has led to complex integrations, spiraling costs, and what some are now referring to as composable regret. In this live conversation, Umbraco CEO Mats Persson joins Matt Garrepy, Chief Content Officer at CMS Critic, for a candid exploration of what went wrong in the first wave of composable and what needs to change. Register for the webinar.

TYPO3 Conference 2025

November 25–27, 2025 – Düsseldorf, Germany

T3CON is the premier annual event for web professionals, developers, marketers, and decision-makers. Much more than just a TYPO3-focused conference, T3CON spotlights the latest trends, innovations, and leaders shaping the future of content management, covering everything from grassroots initiatives to new technologies, strategies, and success stories. The event is designed to empower businesses and organizations with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive in the evolving digital landscape. The conference culminates in an awards ceremony celebrating the best TYPO3 projects across various industries. Get your ticket.

CMS Kickoff 2026

January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FL

Meet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, so secure your tickets today.