In today’s digital-first world, the expectations for inclusive online experiences have grown exponentially. Businesses, especially digital marketing and development agencies, are under increasing pressure to ensure that web applications meet accessibility standards. This becomes more complex in single-page applications (SPAs), where content dynamically updates without a page reload. One tool that has become instrumental in addressing these accessibility challenges is AccessiBe — an AI-powered web accessibility solution. Here’s how agencies are leveraging AccessiBe to resolve dynamic content issues on SPAs and build a more inclusive web.
TL;DR:
Agencies using single-page applications often face difficulties in ensuring all dynamic content is accessible. AccessiBe provides an AI-based overlay that scans for changes in real-time and automatically applies accessibility adjustments such as ARIA labels, keyboard navigation fixes, and more. It lets agencies achieve compliance without redeveloping apps from scratch. The solution saves time, cost, and ensures ongoing compliance even when sites are updated frequently.
Challenges in Making SPAs Accessible
Single-page applications pose unique accessibility challenges because they rely heavily on JavaScript to dynamically update content without full-page reloads. Traditional screen readers and other assistive technologies may not detect these changes automatically unless properly marked up. This can result in poor user experiences for people with disabilities.
Some of the most common accessibility obstacles in SPAs include:
- Missing ARIA landmarks and role attributes: Without these, screen readers cannot understand the context of newly loaded sections.
- Dynamic route changes: URLs may change without a reload, which screen readers often fail to interpret accurately.
- Focus management: Content updates can confuse keyboard users if the focus isn’t redirected appropriately.
- Inaccessible components: Modal windows, navigation menus, and custom inputs may not offer keyboard or screen reader support natively.
Why Agencies Turned to AccessiBe
Manually coding accessibility into SPAs is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. It often requires dedicated accessibility specialists and significant quality assurance efforts. Many digital agencies lacked the manpower or technical expertise to build WCAG-compliant SPAs from the ground up — and that’s where AccessiBe proved to be a game changer.
AccessiBe offers an automated solution that detects and remediates accessibility violations using AI. Here’s how it helped agencies streamline their efforts:
- Real-time monitoring: AccessiBe’s AI scans and adjusts dynamic content as it changes, preserving accessibility in SPAs.
- Enhanced screen reader compatibility: By injecting ARIA attributes and semantic tags, AccessiBe enables assistive tech tools to interpret the content effectively.
- Keyboard navigation improvements: It ensures that all users can move through the SPA using logical tab flows and focus indicators.
- Customization options: Agencies could tailor the interface via AccessiBe’s UI and branding features without touching the codebase.
This approach allowed developers to focus on design and business logic, while AccessiBe handled the nuanced layers of accessibility compliance.
Case Studies: Real-World Agency Success
Several agencies reported significant improvements in accessibility audits and compliance after deploying AccessiBe on client SPAs. For instance, a mid-sized digital marketing agency in New York used AccessiBe in projects involving Vue.js and React frameworks. By simply installing the AccessiBe script, they experienced immediate benefits:
- The AI detected and remediated invisible modals that previously failed WCAG guidelines.
- Screen reader users could now navigate dynamically-loaded content such as tabs, carousels, and route changes.
- Audit scores for accessibility readiness improved from 65% to 98% within a matter of hours.
In another success story, a web development agency working with an ecommerce client used AccessiBe to make the shopping experience fully accessible, despite the SPA relying on heavy AJAX calls. The AI easily picked up product updates, filters, and cart changes, announcing them correctly to assistive tech users.
Integration Steps for SPA Projects
The beauty of AccessiBe lies in its simplicity. Agencies don’t have to overhaul their SPAs to incorporate it. The typical steps include:
- Insert a single line of JavaScript into the site layout or template.
- Run an audit using AccessiBe’s built-in tools to detect initial issues.
- Enable the AI to monitor dynamic changes by configuring triggers if needed (e.g., route changes in SPA frameworks).
- Customize design of the access widget to match the brand look and feel.
In many SPA projects, developers also introduced custom hooks or middleware that notified AccessiBe of content shifts, improving the accuracy of re-scans and fixes.
Limitations and Considerations
While AccessiBe offers robust automation, it’s not a silver bullet. Certain scenarios still require manual intervention, such as:
- Custom widgets or proprietary components that the AI cannot detect
- Design fixes that demand human aesthetic judgment
- Screenreader testing across multiple devices and browsers
Agencies often used AccessiBe in conjunction with manual audits and testing to ensure full WCAG 2.2 compliance. Nonetheless, the tool significantly reduced the workload and provided a strong foundation for building accessible SPAs.
Long-Term Value and Compliance Assurance
One key advantage for agencies using AccessiBe is its continuous monitoring. The AI doesn’t just fix accessibility issues during initial development — it continues to scan for changes and updates in real time. This ensures ongoing compliance, which is especially useful for clients who update their content regularly.
Additionally, AccessiBe provides certificates of performance and compliance that agencies can deliver to clients. This adds a legal layer of protection and reassures end users during regulatory audits.
Conclusion
Making a single-page application accessible was once considered extremely difficult without dedicated specialists — but with AccessiBe, many digital agencies have discovered a simpler, faster, and more cost-effective method. By leveraging AI to detect and solve dynamic content problems, SPAs can now offer inclusive, ADA-compliant user experiences that align with modern web standards.
As accessibility continues to be not just a legal requirement but a moral imperative, tools like AccessiBe offer agencies an indispensable layer of assurance and efficiency.
FAQs
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Q: Can AccessiBe make a 100% inaccessible SPA fully compliant?
A: While AccessiBe can drastically improve accessibility with minimal input, the best results are achieved when it’s combined with foundational development best practices. -
Q: Does AccessiBe affect site performance?
A: AccessiBe is lightweight and operates asynchronously, meaning it won’t delay page load or interfere with user experience. -
Q: Is it suitable for React and Vue.js applications?
A: Yes, AccessiBe is framework-agnostic and works well with all JavaScript SPA frameworks such as React, Vue, Angular, and others. -
Q: How often do I need to configure AccessiBe after a content update?
A: In most cases, no manual intervention is needed. The AI re-scans pages dynamically and adjusts accessibility settings as needed. -
Q: Does using AccessiBe guarantee legal exemption from ADA-related lawsuits?
A: AccessiBe enhances compliance and provides legal documentation, but no tool can guarantee 100% immunity from litigation. Pairing with manual audits is recommended for best security.