SaaS companies face accessibility requirements on two fronts: the marketing website that sells the product and the application itself. As more businesses require their vendors to demonstrate accessibility compliance (often through VPATs), inaccessible SaaS products lose enterprise deals. Government and education buyers increasingly mandate WCAG 2.1 AA conformance.
Why SaaS Websites Are at Risk
Complex dashboard interfaces
Data tables, charts, drag-and-drop workflows, and real-time updates in SaaS dashboards frequently lack ARIA labels and keyboard alternatives.
Onboarding flows with accessibility barriers
Multi-step setup wizards, progress indicators, and interactive tutorials that break when using keyboard or screen reader navigation.
Pricing page comparison tables
Feature comparison tables with checkmarks, tooltips, and toggle switches that do not communicate content to screen readers.
Modal dialogs and notification systems
Popup modals that do not trap focus, toast notifications that are not announced to screen readers, and chat widgets without keyboard support.
Key WCAG Requirements for SaaS
4.1.2 Name, Role, Value (Level A)
Custom UI components (dashboards, builders, editors) must expose their accessible names and roles.
2.1.1 Keyboard (Level A)
Every feature in the application must be operable by keyboard alone.
1.3.1 Info and Relationships (Level A)
Data tables, form structures, and content hierarchies must be semantically marked up.
2.4.3 Focus Order (Level A)
Tab order must follow a logical sequence through the application interface.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are SaaS companies legally required to be ADA compliant?▾
SaaS companies that serve the public are increasingly being treated as places of public accommodation under ADA Title III. Beyond legal requirements, enterprise and government customers frequently require VPATs (Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates) and WCAG conformance as procurement conditions.
Do we need a VPAT?▾
If you sell to government agencies, educational institutions, or large enterprises, you will likely be asked for a VPAT (Accessibility Conformance Report). A VPAT documents your product's conformance with WCAG, Section 508, and EN 301 549 standards. Not having one can disqualify you from deals.
Should we focus on the marketing site or the application?▾
Both. The marketing website must be accessible so potential customers with disabilities can evaluate and purchase your product. The application must be accessible so they can actually use it. Start with the marketing site and onboarding flow, then systematically address the core application.