WCAG 2.2 AA · FSE Block Theme
Accessible by default.
Built to impress.
Ariade is the flagship of Ananyoo’s free accessible WordPress themes — a full site editing theme that ships conformant, screen-reader-ready websites visually, with accessible Forms, Carousel and Login plugins already inside.
Technologies used
- WordPress
- Full Site Editing
- HTML5
- CSS3
- JavaScript
Tested with real assistive tech
Why Ariade
Accessibility, handled at the source
The issues an audit usually flags are already solved in every template — so the sites you build start conformant, not patched after the fact.
Screen-reader tested
Every template is verified by hand with JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver and TalkBack — not only automated scanners.
WCAG 4.1.2Contrast-safe tokens
Colour palettes ship pre-checked at 4.5:1, so text stays readable across every section and style variation.
WCAG 1.4.3Keyboard-first
Logical focus order, skip links and high-visibility focus rings are on the moment you activate the theme.
WCAG 2.1.1 · 2.4.7About the theme
Two decades of accessibility, built into a theme
Ariade comes from a two-decade accessibility practice — building barrier-free websites since 2003. Everything that usually gets bolted on at audit time is already part of the theme.
Compose pages from blocks, switch style variations, and ship knowing the landmarks, headings, contrast and focus behaviour are handled for you. Ariade anchors Ananyoo’s family of accessible WordPress themes and plugins.
Main features
A complete toolkit for inclusive sites
Multi-purpose full site editing for consultants, agencies and professional-services teams who can’t afford to fail an audit.
Complete toolkit
Build any business layout from predesigned pages and patterns — no page-builder plugin needed.
Lifetime updates
Stay current with WordPress and accessibility guidance as standards evolve — at no extra cost.
Accessibility ready
Committed to inclusive, barrier-free experiences — usable and enjoyable for everyone.
WCAG 2.2 AAMultilingual & RTL
Translation-ready with right-to-left support, so accessibility travels across languages.
Easy to use
Enjoy the native WordPress editing experience — clean, fast, and free of clutter.
Built for speed
Lean, standards-driven code with no bloat — fast for visitors and assistive tech alike.
Style variations
Vibrant palettes, every one AA
Switch the whole site’s colour scheme in a click. Each variation is pre-checked, so text never drops below 4.5:1.
Cobalt
Violet
Rose
Midnight
Typography
Type that stays legible at any size
A two-font system tuned for reading: a tall, clear body face and a condensed display face, with a scale that holds up at 200% zoom.
Display
Barlow Semi Condensed
AaBbCc 0123 — uppercase headings
Body
Geist
AaBbCc 0123 — optimised for screen reading
The team pattern
Put a human face on your site
A ready team layout — drop in your own people and photos.
Maya R.
Accessibility Lead
WCAG audits and screen-reader testing.
Daniel O.
Front-end Engineer
Semantic, keyboard-first interfaces.
Aisha K.
UX Designer
Inclusive layouts and clear content.
Leo F.
QA & AT Tester
JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack.
Avatars are placeholders — swap each for a licensed or AI-generated photo (the image slot keeps proper alt text).
What people say
A carousel that works with a keyboard, announces each slide, and never traps your visitors.
Priya N.Digital lead, public-sector agency
“We passed our accessibility audit on the first pass. The theme did the heavy lifting — landmarks, focus order and contrast were already right.”
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Plugins included
Forms & sign-in, accessible from the first click
Every screen on this demo — including the WordPress sign-in itself — passes WCAG 2.2 AA.
- Labelled fields, required marked in text
- Errors announced, not by colour alone
- Real show / hide password control
- Keyboard-first with visible focus
Ariade styles the WordPress sign-in screen itself — no extra plugin needed.
Start a project
Every field is labelled, every error is announced. Required fields are marked in text, not by colour alone.
Live plugin demos
The accessible plugins behind this demo
Every login, slider and form on this site is one of our free accessible WordPress plugins, each built to WCAG 2.2 AA. Try them live:
5 free pluginsAll running live on this demo site — and free on WordPress.org
See all plugin demos →- Accessible LoginKeyboard-first sign-in with a real show / hide password control
- Accessible CarouselA slider that pauses, announces slides and works without a mouse
- Accessible FormsLabelled fields and clear errors, announced to screen readers
- Accessible PortfolioFilterable case-study grid that keeps focus order intact
- Accessible EventsEvent listings with real accommodation icons shown up front
Free & open source
Every feature, free from day one
Like all Ananyoo accessible WordPress themes, Ariade is completely free — no subscriptions, no paid tiers, no lock-in. Download it, keep it, and build accessible sites for as long as you like.
Download Ariade — freeWooCommerce ready
An accessible shop, out of the box
Product grid, single product, cart and checkout templates — every control labelled, every “Add to cart” distinct for screen readers.
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Featured
Contrast Coffee Mug
Price range: $14.00 through $17.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Featured
Sale!
Keyboard Wrist Rest
Price range: $22.00 through $32.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Featured
Sale!
Focus Notebook
Price range: $18.00 through $27.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Featured
Daylight Desk Lamp
Price range: $42.00 through $45.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Blog layouts
Blog cards, three new styles
The newest additions to Ariade’s pattern library — zoom, floating and gradient-spine cards — with tiles, bento, mosaic, glass and ledger layouts also included. Every layout keeps heading order and readable contrast.
Powered by Ananyoo Accessible Events
Upcoming accessible events
Workshops, webinars and clinics where every event states the accommodations it provides — captions, sign language, wheelchair access and more. Powered by our free Accessible Events plugin.
[events show=”upcoming” limit=”3″ paginate=”no” filter=”no” view_switch=”no” subscribe=”no” heading=”3″]
From the blog
Notes on building accessible sites
Practical write-ups from two decades of accessibility work — testing with real screen readers, fixing what audits catch, and building accessible WordPress themes, plugins and sites that work for everyone.
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Inclusive Commerce Meetup
Read post: Inclusive Commerce Meetup7 November 2026 · Accessible checkout patterns that convert — a practical evening for store owners and developers.
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Screen Reader Basics (Online)
Read post: Screen Reader Basics (Online)3 October 2026 · A live NVDA walkthrough for developers — hear your own site the way a screen-reader user…
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Accessibility Workshop — Kolkata
Read post: Accessibility Workshop — Kolkata12 September 2026 · A full-day, hands-on workshop: test a real site with a screen reader, find the failures, and…
FAQ
Accessible WordPress themes & plugins — frequently asked questions
Quick answers about this showcase — the accessible WordPress themes and plugins from Ananyoo you see running live on this site, and how everything is built and tested.
6 quick answersEverything else — just ask, we reply to every enquiry
Ask a question →Are these accessible WordPress themes and plugins really free?
Yes. Everything you see on this showcase is free — the Ariade theme and every Ananyoo accessibility plugin, with no paid tiers, subscriptions or locked features. The plugins are on WordPress.org, and updates cost nothing.
How are the themes and plugins tested for WCAG 2.2 AA?
Every theme template and plugin screen is checked with automated tools — Deque axe, Lighthouse and WAVE — and then tested by hand with JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver and TalkBack, keyboard-only use, 400% zoom and forced-colors mode. It is built by an accessibility consultant who audits websites for a living.
Which plugins are included with the theme?
This demo runs our free accessibility plugins together with Ariade: Accessible Forms, Accessible Login, Accessible Carousel, Accessible Portfolio and Accessible Events — each built to WCAG 2.2 AA and available free on WordPress.org.
Does Ariade work with WooCommerce?
Yes. The shop grid, single product, cart and checkout templates are styled and audited — every control is labelled and every Add to cart button is distinct for screen readers. The shop section on this page is live WooCommerce output.
Can I use Ariade for client projects?
Absolutely. The theme is GPL licensed, so you can use it on unlimited personal and client websites. Agencies use it as their accessible starting point for business, government and education sites.
Do I need to know WCAG to build an accessible site with it?
No. The accessible defaults do the heavy lifting — landmarks, heading order, contrast-safe palettes, focus styles and keyboard behaviour are already handled. You compose pages with blocks, and the theme keeps them conformant.