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This skill helps you implement WCAG 2.2 accessibility patterns in Shopify Liquid themes, improving keyboard, screen reader, and focus management across
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---
name: liquid-theme-a11y
description: "Implement WCAG 2.2 accessibility patterns in Shopify Liquid themes. Covers e-commerce-specific components including product cards, carousels, cart drawers, price display, forms, filters, and modals. Use when building accessible theme components, fixing accessibility issues, or reviewing ARIA patterns in .liquid files."
---
# Accessibility for Shopify Liquid Themes
## Core Principle
Every interactive component must work with keyboard only, screen readers, and reduced-motion preferences. Start with semantic HTML — add ARIA only when native semantics are insufficient.
## Decision Table: Which Pattern?
| Component | HTML Element | ARIA Pattern | Reference |
|-----------|-------------|-------------|-----------|
| Expandable content | `<details>/<summary>` | None needed | [Accordion](#accordion) |
| Modal/dialog | `<dialog>` | `aria-modal="true"` | [Modal](#modal) |
| Tooltip/popup | `[popover]` attribute | `role="tooltip"` fallback | [Tooltip](#tooltip) |
| Dropdown menu | `<nav>` + `<ul>` | `aria-expanded` on triggers | [Navigation](#dropdown-navigation) |
| Tab interface | `<div>` | `role="tablist/tab/tabpanel"` | [Tabs](#tabs) |
| Carousel/slider | `<div>` | `role="region"` + `aria-roledescription` | [Carousel](#carousel) |
| Product card | `<article>` | `aria-labelledby` | [Product card](#product-card) |
| Form | `<form>` | `aria-invalid`, `aria-describedby` | [Forms](#forms) |
| Cart drawer | `<dialog>` | Focus trap | [Cart drawer](#cart-drawer) |
| Price display | `<span>` | `aria-label` for context | [Prices](#price-display) |
| Filters | `<form>` + `<fieldset>` | `aria-expanded` for disclosures | [Filters](#product-filters) |
## Page Structure
### Landmarks
```html
<body>
<a href="#main-content" class="skip-link">{{ 'accessibility.skip_to_content' | t }}</a>
<header role="banner">
<nav aria-label="{{ 'accessibility.main_navigation' | t }}">...</nav>
</header>
<main id="main-content">
<!-- All page content inside main -->
</main>
<footer role="contentinfo">
<nav aria-label="{{ 'accessibility.footer_navigation' | t }}">...</nav>
</footer>
</body>
```
- Single `<header>`, `<main>`, `<footer>` per page
- Multiple `<nav>` elements must have distinct `aria-label`
- All content must live inside a landmark
### Skip Link
```css
.skip-link {
position: absolute;
inset-inline-start: -999px;
z-index: 999;
}
.skip-link:focus {
position: fixed;
inset-block-start: 0;
inset-inline-start: 0;
padding: 1rem;
background: var(--color-background);
color: var(--color-foreground);
}
```
### Headings
- One `<h1>` per page, never skip levels (h1 → h3)
- Use real heading elements, not styled divs
- Template: `<h1>` is typically the page/product title
## Focus Management
### Focus Indicators
```css
/* All interactive elements */
:focus-visible {
outline: 2px solid rgb(var(--color-focus));
outline-offset: 2px;
}
/* High contrast mode */
@media (forced-colors: active) {
:focus-visible {
outline: 3px solid LinkText;
}
}
```
- Minimum 3:1 contrast ratio for focus indicators
- Use `:focus-visible` (not `:focus`) to avoid showing on click
- Never `outline: none` without a visible replacement
### Focus Trapping (Modals/Drawers)
- Trap focus inside modals, drawers, and dialogs
- Return focus to trigger element on close
- First focusable element gets focus on open
- Query all focusable elements: `a[href], button:not([disabled]), input:not([disabled]), select, textarea, [tabindex]:not([tabindex="-1"])`
See [focus and keyboard patterns](references/focus-and-keyboard.md) for full FocusTrap implementation.
## Component Patterns
### Product Card
```html
<article class="product-card" aria-labelledby="ProductTitle-{{ product.id }}">
<a href="{{ product.url }}" class="product-card__link" aria-labelledby="ProductTitle-{{ product.id }}">
<img
src="{{ product.featured_image | image_url: width: 400 }}"
alt="{{ product.featured_image.alt | escape }}"
loading="lazy"
width="{{ product.featured_image.width }}"
height="{{ product.featured_image.height }}"
>
</a>
<h3 id="ProductTitle-{{ product.id }}">
<a href="{{ product.url }}">{{ product.title }}</a>
</h3>
<div class="product-card__price" aria-label="{{ 'products.price_label' | t: price: product.price | money }}">
{{ product.price | money }}
</div>
<button
class="product-card__quick-add"
tabindex="-1"
aria-label="{{ 'products.quick_add' | t: title: product.title }}"
>
{{ 'products.add_to_cart' | t }}
</button>
</article>
```
**Rules:**
- Single tab stop per card (the main link)
- `tabindex="-1"` on mouse-only shortcuts (quick add)
- `aria-labelledby` on `<article>` pointing to the title
- Descriptive alt text on images; empty `alt=""` if decorative
### Carousel
```html
<div
role="region"
aria-roledescription="carousel"
aria-label="{{ section.settings.heading | escape }}"
>
<div class="carousel__controls">
<button
aria-label="{{ 'accessibility.previous_slide' | t }}"
aria-controls="CarouselSlides-{{ section.id }}"
>{% render 'icon-chevron-left' %}</button>
<button
aria-label="{{ 'accessibility.next_slide' | t }}"
aria-controls="CarouselSlides-{{ section.id }}"
>{% render 'icon-chevron-right' %}</button>
<button
aria-label="{{ 'accessibility.pause_slideshow' | t }}"
aria-pressed="false"
>{% render 'icon-pause' %}</button>
</div>
<div id="CarouselSlides-{{ section.id }}" aria-live="polite">
{% for slide in section.blocks %}
<div
role="group"
aria-roledescription="slide"
aria-label="{{ 'accessibility.slide_n_of_total' | t: n: forloop.index, total: forloop.length }}"
{% unless forloop.first %}aria-hidden="true"{% endunless %}
>
{{ slide.settings.content }}
</div>
{% endfor %}
</div>
</div>
```
**Rules:**
- Auto-rotation minimum 5 seconds, pause on hover/focus
- Play/pause button required for auto-rotating carousels
- `aria-live="polite"` on slide container (set to `"off"` during auto-rotation)
- `aria-hidden="true"` on inactive slides
- Each slide: `role="group"` + `aria-roledescription="slide"`
### Modal
```html
<dialog
id="Modal-{{ section.id }}"
aria-labelledby="ModalTitle-{{ section.id }}"
aria-modal="true"
>
<div class="modal__header">
<h2 id="ModalTitle-{{ section.id }}">{{ title }}</h2>
<button
type="button"
aria-label="{{ 'accessibility.close' | t }}"
on:click="/closeModal"
>{% render 'icon-close' %}</button>
</div>
<div class="modal__content">
<!-- Content -->
</div>
</dialog>
```
**Rules:**
- Use native `<dialog>` element
- `aria-labelledby` pointing to the title
- Close on Escape key (native with `<dialog>`)
- Focus first interactive element on open
- Return focus to trigger on close
### Cart Drawer
Same as modal pattern but with additional:
- Live region for cart count updates: `<span aria-live="polite" aria-atomic="true">`
- Clear "remove item" buttons with `aria-label="{{ 'cart.remove_item' | t: title: item.title }}"`
- Quantity inputs with associated labels
### Forms
```html
<form action="{{ routes.cart_url }}" method="post">
<div class="form__field">
<label for="Email-{{ section.id }}">{{ 'forms.email' | t }}</label>
<input
type="email"
id="Email-{{ section.id }}"
name="email"
required
aria-required="true"
autocomplete="email"
aria-describedby="EmailError-{{ section.id }}"
>
<p
id="EmailError-{{ section.id }}"
class="form__error"
role="alert"
hidden
>{{ 'forms.email_required' | t }}</p>
</div>
</form>
```
**Rules:**
- Every input has a visible `<label>` with matching `for`/`id`
- Use `<fieldset>/<legend>` for radio/checkbox groups
- Error messages: `role="alert"` + `aria-describedby` linking to input
- `aria-invalid="true"` on invalid inputs
- `autocomplete` attributes on common fields
- Required fields: `required` + `aria-required="true"` + visual indicator
### Product Filters
```html
<form class="facets">
<div class="facets__group">
<button
type="button"
aria-expanded="false"
aria-controls="FilterColor-{{ section.id }}"
>{{ 'filters.color' | t }}</button>
<fieldset id="FilterColor-{{ section.id }}" hidden>
<legend class="visually-hidden">{{ 'filters.filter_by_color' | t }}</legend>
{% for color in colors %}
<label>
<input type="checkbox" name="filter.color" value="{{ color }}">
{{ color }}
</label>
{% endfor %}
</fieldset>
</div>
<div aria-live="polite" aria-atomic="true">
{{ 'filters.results_count' | t: count: results.size }}
</div>
</form>
```
### Price Display
```html
{% if product.compare_at_price > product.price %}
<div class="price" aria-label="{{ 'products.sale_price_label' | t: sale_price: product.price | money, original_price: product.compare_at_price | money }}">
<s aria-hidden="true">{{ product.compare_at_price | money }}</s>
<span>{{ product.price | money }}</span>
</div>
{% else %}
<div class="price">{{ product.price | money }}</div>
{% endif %}
```
- Use `aria-label` to provide full price context (sale vs. original)
- `aria-hidden="true"` on the visual strikethrough to avoid duplicate reading
### Accordion
```html
<details>
<summary>{{ block.settings.heading }}</summary>
<div class="accordion__content">
{{ block.settings.content }}
</div>
</details>
```
Native `<details>/<summary>` provides keyboard and screen reader support automatically.
### Tabs
```html
<div role="tablist" aria-label="{{ 'accessibility.product_tabs' | t }}">
{% for tab in tabs %}
<button
role="tab"
id="Tab-{{ tab.id }}"
aria-selected="{% if forloop.first %}true{% else %}false{% endif %}"
aria-controls="Panel-{{ tab.id }}"
tabindex="{% if forloop.first %}0{% else %}-1{% endif %}"
>{{ tab.title }}</button>
{% endfor %}
</div>
{% for tab in tabs %}
<div
role="tabpanel"
id="Panel-{{ tab.id }}"
aria-labelledby="Tab-{{ tab.id }}"
{% unless forloop.first %}hidden{% endunless %}
tabindex="0"
>{{ tab.content }}</div>
{% endfor %}
```
- Arrow keys navigate between tabs (left/right)
- Only active tab has `tabindex="0"`, others `-1`
### Dropdown Navigation
```html
<nav aria-label="{{ 'accessibility.main_navigation' | t }}">
<ul role="list">
{% for link in linklists.main-menu.links %}
<li>
{% if link.links.size > 0 %}
<button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="Submenu-{{ forloop.index }}">
{{ link.title }}
</button>
<ul id="Submenu-{{ forloop.index }}" hidden role="list">
{% for child in link.links %}
<li><a href="{{ child.url }}">{{ child.title }}</a></li>
{% endfor %}
</ul>
{% else %}
<a href="{{ link.url }}">{{ link.title }}</a>
{% endif %}
</li>
{% endfor %}
</ul>
</nav>
```
### Tooltip
```html
<button aria-describedby="Tooltip-{{ block.id }}">
{{ 'labels.info' | t }}
</button>
<div id="Tooltip-{{ block.id }}" role="tooltip" popover>
{{ block.settings.tooltip_text }}
</div>
```
## Mobile Accessibility
- **Touch targets:** minimum 44x44px, 8px spacing between targets
- **No orientation lock:** never restrict to portrait/landscape
- **No hover-only content:** everything accessible via tap
- Use `dvh` instead of `vh` for mobile viewport units
## Animation & Motion
```css
/* Always provide reduced motion */
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
*, *::before, *::after {
animation-duration: 0.01ms !important;
animation-iteration-count: 1 !important;
transition-duration: 0.01ms !important;
scroll-behavior: auto !important;
}
}
```
- No flashing above 3 times per second
- Auto-playing animations need pause/stop controls
- Meaningful animations only — don't animate for decoration
## Visually Hidden Utility
```css
.visually-hidden {
position: absolute;
width: 1px;
height: 1px;
padding: 0;
margin: -1px;
overflow: hidden;
clip: rect(0, 0, 0, 0);
white-space: nowrap;
border: 0;
}
```
Use for screen-reader-only content like labels and descriptions.
## Color Contrast
| Element | Minimum Ratio |
|---------|---------------|
| Normal text (<18px / <14px bold) | 4.5:1 |
| Large text (≥18px / ≥14px bold) | 3:1 |
| UI components & graphics | 3:1 |
| Focus indicators | 3:1 |
Never rely solely on color to convey information — always pair with text, icons, or patterns.
## References
- [Component accessibility patterns](references/component-patterns.md)
- [Focus and keyboard patterns](references/focus-and-keyboard.md)
This skill implements WCAG 2.2 accessibility patterns for Shopify Liquid themes, focusing on e-commerce components. It provides concrete, code-first guidance and ARIA usage for product cards, carousels, cart drawers, forms, filters, modals, tabs, and navigation. Use it to build accessible theme components, fix issues in .liquid files, or audit ARIA patterns.
The skill inspects Liquid templates and recommends semantic HTML first, adding ARIA only when necessary. It applies component-specific patterns (e.g., <dialog> for modals, <article> for product cards, role=region for carousels), focus management rules, and accessible markup examples. It also enforces keyboard, screen reader, and reduced-motion behaviors, and suggests specific Liquid snippets and attributes for each pattern.
Will this skill change visuals or only markup?
Primarily it provides markup, ARIA attributes, and CSS snippets; visual updates are minimal and focused on meaningful focus indicators and accessible spacing.
Does it require JavaScript for accessibility features?
Some patterns need light JS—for focus trapping, toggling aria-expanded, or slide rotation controls—but the guidance favors native elements (details, dialog) to reduce JS requirements.
Are these patterns compatible with Shopify Liquid best practices?
Yes. Examples and attributes use Liquid variables and translation filters, and follow common theme conventions like unique IDs and escaped labels.