guide
Ghost accessibility for SaaS products: setup, plugins, and audit checklist
Running an accessible Ghost site for SaaS products combines two layers of responsibility: Ghost's platform-level accessibility, and the saas & software-specific compliance frameworks — WCAG 2.2 AA, Section 508 (federal procurement), EN 301 549 (EU procurement) — that layer on top.
Why Ghost for SaaS products?
Ghost accessibility depends on theme choice — Ghost's default Casper theme targets WCAG 2.1 AA; custom themes vary widely. The platform itself supports semantic markup, alt text, and accessible editorial workflow but does not enforce it.
SaaS & Software accessibility — the regulated reality
SaaS accessibility means that B2B and B2C software products — dashboards, admin consoles, embedded widgets, and APIs — meet WCAG 2.2 AA so that employees with disabilities and the customers they serve can use the product, which is increasingly a procurement requirement (VPAT/ACR) and an EAA obligation for consumer-facing SaaS in scope.
Ghost accessibility challenges that hit SaaS products hardest
• Custom theme variance
• Inaccessible third-party newsletter integrations
SaaS & Software pain points your Ghost site will likely have
• Component libraries without semantic markup
• Modal dialogs that trap focus incorrectly
• Data tables without programmatic structure
• Drag-and-drop without keyboard alternatives
• Status messages not announced to AT (4.1.3)
Setup steps
1. Use Casper or audit your theme: Casper is the reference accessibility-aware theme.
2. Editorial discipline on alt text: Ghost editor supports alt; require it.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Cited answers. Sourced. Updated as standards and case law change.
Can a Ghost site be made ADA compliant for SaaS products?
Yes, provided the merchant or development team applies WCAG 2.2 AA at the source code and content level. No platform — including Ghost — guarantees compliance automatically.
Do SaaS vendors need a VPAT?
Increasingly yes. Enterprise procurement teams — particularly in higher education, healthcare, government, and large finance — require a current VPAT/ACR before purchase. Federal vendors require Section 508 VPATs explicitly.
Is the SaaS marketing site or the product more important for accessibility?
Both are in scope under different regimes. The marketing site is ADA Title III (public accommodation). The product is procurement-VPAT-driven and increasingly EAA-driven for consumer offerings. A vendor should not treat one as adequate cover for the other.
Is Ghost accessible?
Casper theme and Ghost editor support accessibility. Custom themes vary.
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