Elementor is undoubtedly an Israeli success story :) and an extremely popular page builder for WordPress, locally and globally.
Elementor is making genuine efforts to improve the accessibility of its widgets. There's no doubt about that. However, it's crucial to understand one fundamental point: it's not just about the component itself—it's about how you use it and what you do with it. A widget that hasn't been tested in practice cannot be assumed to be accessible automatically.
Working with Elementor is similar to WordPress in general. You're working with existing components, so the responsibility for testing and adaptation remains with you—not with Elementor.
Not Everything That Comes Ready-Made Is Actually Accessible
Elementor provides many widgets ready to use immediately, including complex components like sliders. Some may look structurally sound, but we must always be skeptical because, as mentioned, this is our sole responsibility—not Elementor's.
Only hands-on testing, especially with a screen reader or by attempting keyboard navigation, will reveal whether a component actually works as it should.
It's always important to look at each widget with a critical eye and test it thoroughly.
A Cautionary Tale: Misuse of ARIA-LIVE
One striking case is the misuse of the ARIA-LIVE attribute within slider widgets. This setting affects how a screen reader announces content changes to users.
In other words, as the slider moves automatically, the screen reader reads aloud the new content being displayed.
This attribute has three main states:
- NONE – no announcements at all
POLITE – the update is announced only after the screen reader finishes reading what it's currently saying to the user
ASSERTIVE – the update interrupts the current reading and is heard immediately (for example, a news website might use this to alert users of breaking news or an emergency alert in a specific region)
What actually happens inside sliders?
When ARIA-LIVE is set to POLITE within a slider that changes slides, the screen reader ends up announcing updates repeatedly.
In practice, the user hears a stream of changing text, and often the reading is interrupted and restarts, making it extremely difficult to understand the content and navigate the site.
Not Every "Correct" Setting Fits Every Use Case
There are situations where whoever configured the widget chose a value that seemed right—but never tested how it behaves in reality. The result is a technically functional component that doesn't enable genuine usability.
For example, ARIA-LIVE set to ASSERTIVE is appropriate for urgent situations like an alert. But within a regular slider, it creates a disruptive experience. POLITE, which seems more measured, also fails when content changes continuously.
Keep in mind: this example barely scratches the surface, and this is exactly why we must approach every widget with healthy skepticism.
How to Work Correctly and Ensure an Accessible Elementor Site
Don't Rely on Defaults
Even if a widget comes ready-made, test it thoroughly.
Test With a Screen Reader
There's no better way than to examine the widget in practice. This is how you understand how users actually experience the component.
Identify Problematic Widgets
Sliders, carousels, and dynamic components require deeper scrutiny.
Create a checklist of widgets that are likely to cause issues, and review them systematically with special care.
Elementor Accessibility Depends First and Foremost on Testing
With Elementor, there are no shortcuts. Even if a widget appears sound, it must be tested in practice. Incorrect settings, especially in dynamic components, can significantly harm usability.
That's why proper work means not assuming—but testing. Only then can you be certain your site is truly accessible.
Need to Make Your Elementor Site Accessible? Consult User Accessibility
Ensuring Elementor sites are accessible requires hands-on testing of widgets and understanding how they behave in real-world usage environments. Systematic work allows you to identify problems and address them properly.
If you're looking to make your Elementor site accessible and have additional questions, we at User Accessibility are here for you.