guide
WAD on Sanity: complete compliance checklist
Implementing WAD compliance on Sanity means addressing the platform's specific failure modes (schema design without required alt text, portable text renderers losing semantics) while applying EU Web Accessibility Directive success criteria across content, code, and editorial workflow.
WAD in 60 seconds
The EU Web Accessibility Directive (Directive (EU) 2016/2102) requires public-sector bodies in all EU member states to make their websites and mobile apps accessible per EN 301 549, with mandatory accessibility statements and a complaints mechanism — operative since September 2018 for new sites and September 2020 for all sites.
Sanity accessibility — what you are starting with
Sanity's headless model means accessibility is delivered downstream. The Studio is reasonably accessible; the failure mode is schema design and front-end rendering.
WAD setup checklist for Sanity
1. Require alt text in image schema: Validation rules at schema level.
2. Audit Portable Text renderer: Map block types to semantic HTML.
Common WAD failures on Sanity
• Schema design without required alt text
• Portable Text renderers losing semantics
Putting it together
Combine WAD's Level AA requirements with Sanity's native tooling. Bake accessibility into your component library and editorial workflow; instrument axe-core in CI for regression.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Cited answers. Sourced. Updated as standards and case law change.
Is Sanity WAD-compliant out of the box?
Sanity Studio targets WCAG 2.1 AA. Consuming-app accessibility is the larger consideration.
What is the easiest path to WAD compliance on Sanity?
Start with the platform's most-accessible default theme (where applicable), audit each installed plugin/extension/module, train content authors on alt text and heading hierarchy, and instrument axe-core in your CI pipeline.
Is Sanity Studio accessible?
Sanity Studio targets WCAG 2.1 AA. Consuming-app accessibility is the larger consideration.
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