--- title: Pop-up Accessibility and How to Make Pop-ups More Accessible description: Pop-ups on websites are a huge digital accessibility issue. This article explores website pop-up flaws and how to make them more accessible for the best user experience for everyone. image: https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/%5BSBM%5D%20Blog%20Images%202023/UsableNet-Blog-Pop-up-Accessibility.jpeg --- - [skip to menu](https://blog.usablenet.com/pop-up-accessibility-and-how-to-make-pop-ups-more-accessible#nav) - [skip to content](https://blog.usablenet.com/pop-up-accessibility-and-how-to-make-pop-ups-more-accessible#main-content) - [skip to footer](https://blog.usablenet.com/pop-up-accessibility-and-how-to-make-pop-ups-more-accessible#footer) Test the accessibility of your website for free! Try UsableNet AQA. 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[Get Help with EN 301 549 Compliance](https://info.usablenet.com/eaa-en-301-549-compliance) - [Who We Serve](https://usablenet.com/strategic-relationships) ## Industry [E-commerce and Consumer Goods](https://info.usablenet.com/e-commerce-accessibility-solutions) [Food Service and Hospitality](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-food-service-hospitality) [Banking and Financial Services](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-financial-services) [Healthcare](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-healthcare) [Technology and Business Services](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-technology-and-business-services) [Public Sector and Education](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-public-sector-and-education) ## Compliance [Canadian Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-canada) [European Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/eaa-en-301-549-compliance) [Other International Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-international) [United States Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-united-states) 2026 Midyear report on digital accessibility lawsuits in the US [Download Now](https://info.usablenet.com/2026-midyear-report) - [Pricing](https://usablenet.com/pricing) - [Blog](https://blog.usablenet.com/) - [About Us](https://usablenet.com/about-us) [Get a Demo](https://info.usablenet.com/contact) Close Open Menu - Solutions ## Solutions [UsableNet Assistive](https://usablenet.com/technology/assistive-technology-services) A managed service combining experts, technology and legal support to make your website accessible [UsableNet AQA](https://usablenet.com/technology/aqa) Accessibility management and testing software for designers, developers, and testers [Accessibility Audits & Support Services](https://usablenet.com/services) Expert guidance and training to empower your team to create accessible digital experiences Which accessibility remediation approach is right for me? [Take our Quiz](https://info.usablenet.com/website-accessibility-remediation-quiz) - Resources ## Resources [E-books & Guides](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=E-books%20and%20Guides) [Case Studies](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Case%20Studies) [Reports](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Reports) [Webinars](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Webinars) [Tools](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Tools) [All Resources](https://usablenet.com/resources) ## Essential Resources [ADA accessibility lawsuit tracker](https://info.usablenet.com/ada-website-compliance-lawsuit-tracker?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [Checklist: how to achieve and maintain digital accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/digital-website-accessibility-checklist?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [Which remediation approach is right for me?](https://info.usablenet.com/website-accessibility-remediation-quiz?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [A Primer on ADA and Digital Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/a-primer-on-ada-and-digital-accessibility?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) The EAA is in Effect — Is Your Website Compliant? [Get Help with EN 301 549 Compliance](https://info.usablenet.com/eaa-en-301-549-compliance?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) - Who We Serve ## Industry [E-commerce and Consumer Goods](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-e-commerce-consumer-goods) [Food Service and Hospitality](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-food-service-hospitality) [Banking and Financial Services](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-financial-services) [Healthcare](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-healthcare) [Technology and Business Services](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-technology-and-business-services) [Public Sector and Education](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-public-sector-and-education) ## Compliance [Canadian Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-canada) [European Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-europe) [Other International Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-international) [United States Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-united-states) 2026 Midyear report on digital accessibility lawsuits in the US [Download Now](https://info.usablenet.com/2026-midyear-report) - [Pricing](https://usablenet.com/pricing) - [Blog](https://blog.usablenet.com/) - [About Us](https://usablenet.com/about-us) [Get a Demo](https://info.usablenet.com/contact) # Pop-up Accessibility and How to Make Pop-ups More Accessible **By** [Michael Taylor](https://blog.usablenet.com/author/michael-taylor) on Sep 13, 2023 **Topics:** [Web Accessibility](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/web-accessibility) 0 Comments - - - ![Person on phone looking at accessible pop-up](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/%5BSBM%5D%20Blog%20Images%202023/UsableNet-Blog-Pop-up-Accessibility.jpeg) Website pop-up accessibility is a common [digital accessibility issue](https://blog.usablenet.com/common-digital-accessibility-issues-to-avoid) that is vital to resolve in order for an inclusive web experience. Whether it's the infamous email sign-up form, a pop-up triggered by user action, an advertisement for an external website, or a prompt to agree to web cookies, pop-ups are unavoidable, online. Though website pop-ups are notorious for having [web accessibility](https://blog.usablenet.com/website-accessibility-faqs-from-our-webinar-with-a-blind-shopper) flaws, they can be designed to limit associated shortcomings and directly support the pillars of digital accessibility. This post will discuss several critical accessibility-related factors when implementing web pop-ups. As always, I will speak from my perspective as a blind screen reader user. [![→ Read how to build a complete Accessibility Testing Program in our free guide. ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3280432/6922792a-d0e2-49cc-8b05-64deb9a47db0.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3280432/6922792a-d0e2-49cc-8b05-64deb9a47db0) ###   3 Ways to Improve Pop-Up Accessibility Pop-ups contain hidden content until triggered. This reaction is triggered either by a specific user action taken, or by a preset behavior specified in the code—such as a pop-up automatically opening upon page launch. [EAA and ADA compliance starts with testing—check your site’s accessibility now](https://usablenet.com/automated-accessibility-testing-tool) #### 1. Announce Your Pop-Ups One important thing to consider is that the user must always know that selecting a particular web element (button, link, tab) will launch a pop-up. Often when navigating a website, activating a button with my screen reader takes me to a different and unfamiliar context.  This disorientation often results from activating a pop-up that is not properly notated in the webpage’s source code.  As a screen reader user, I can't determine if clicking that button will launch the pop-up. When this continuously occurs on a site, it leads to a confusing and ineffective user experience. Web pop-ups triggered by a specific user action must be announced in advance. Any button, link or other interactive element that invokes a pop-up must communicate this behavior. For example, I recently visited a restaurant website. One of the buttons on the restaurant's reservation booking page is labeled: "Select number of guests, pop-up button." This label conveys to screen reader users that the item is a button that, when clicked, will launch a separate pop-up window. Upon opening the window, the screen reader should clearly announce that the focus has shifted to a pop-up. The same approach should also be applied to pop-ups that are not activated by user interactions. Suppose a pop-up launches automatically, such as with a time-delay email list sign-up prompt. In that case, the screen reader must always announce that a pop-up has opened so I can contextually understand its content. For businesses operating in the EU, ensuring that web pop-ups meet accessibility standards is crucial for compliance with the [EAA requirements for digital accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/the-european-accessibility-act-eaa-requirements-for-compliance). #### 2. All Pop-Ups Should Be Dismissed with a Click One of the most frustrating parts about navigating pop-ups is the frequent challenge of trying to dismiss the window and continue with my initial task. For a screen reader user like me to dismiss the pop-up, there must be an easy-to-locate and clearly labeled button to close the window. I must find the button using manual tab-key navigation. If I use my screen reader to filter and jump around by button only, the option to dismiss the window must also appear in the list. If you use a graphic to represent the dismiss pop-up button, ensure it is labeled in the code. For example, many sites employ a small image of the letter X to signify the dismiss function. Suppose this button image doesn’t have any accessible name. In that case, my screen reader will announce vague, meaningless terms, such as “image" or “graphic.” A few common accessible names in this and other similar scenarios include: - “Close” - “Close pop-up window” - “Dismiss” - “Dismiss pop-up” #### 3. All the Content in a Pop-Up Should Be Accessible As a good rule of thumb, all pop-ups on a site must comply with the same [accessibility guidelines](https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/SCR37.html) as the main page. As an example, all call-to-action buttons must have accurate and meaningful labels, and any external or internal links must be properly indicated. If the pop-up contains any images, appropriate [alternative text](https://blog.usablenet.com/image-alt-text-best-practices-for-web-accessibility) descriptions must be in place. A strong accessibility framework is necessary not only for ADA compliance but also for meeting evolving European regulations. Explore how organizations can ensure compliance with the latest accessibility mandates in our [EU compliance resource](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-europe). Here’s an example of a well-designed pop-up. For some background, I just placed my order on an e-commerce website. The site gave me two options: “Continue shopping” and “Provide feedback, pop-up button.” In this situation, I selected the second button, which triggered a pop-up window. The following dialogue represents each announcement from my screen reader as I navigate sequentially through the pop-up’s content: - "Provide feedback? Heading level 2" - "How was your experience on our site? Take this five-minute survey to tell us how we did and receive ten percent off on your next purchase!" - "No thanks, button." - "Continue to survey, link." - "Dismiss pop-up, button" This is a good example of an accessible screen reader pop-up experience. The button that invokes the pop-up indicates in its code that it will exhibit this behavior. All the content in the pop-up, including the two call-to-action buttons, is screen reader detectable. Additionally, there is a straightforward way to dismiss the pop-up if I want to quickly jump back to the main page. ###   Don’t Give Up on Pop-Ups! While they initially seem intimidating, pop-ups can be a meaningful part of any accessible website. If you design with best practices and people with disabilities in mind, pop-up accessibility can enhance your website's overall usability. I hope this post provides some framework for site designers looking to create accessible pop-ups. I encourage you to leverage this knowledge when web accessibility testing to ensure your website is optimized for everyone visiting. ### **Looking Ahead: Ensuring Web Accessibility Beyond Pop-Ups** Pop-ups are just one of many elements on your website that require thoughtful design to meet accessibility standards. However, achieving an inclusive web experience involves addressing accessibility holistically—across your entire digital presence. For further insights into digital accessibility compliance: - Explore our comprehensive [European Accessibility Act compliance guide](https://info.usablenet.com/the-european-accessibility-act-eaa-requirements-for-compliance). - Preregister for the 2025 End of Year Report on Digital Accessibility Lawsuits.  [![Download the 2025 Year-End Report](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3280432/interactive-200196693116.png)](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKrYPvOeRqJC8nL6HAi5zEcK8YEUeLwPaOrtwPoNYhsLNly1Igqr1QDpgsSc0xqYgl8Mmd2kF7WGxRZ0hcwDA5vEpkst8Ukl9ORisRBMqWznnFjR0ep7yQdvtP4wqmP9W%2B2h%2FulinUOVs05o6%2FrnU6Lkd3k%2BI0Bm09V7lQctsIixb0xi6qgSsWOpgaT0IZGlPdrby%2FK4FJGdKYesdRgRwJzAli%2BS4iWp1mshsEG9KCs&webInteractiveContentId=200196693116&portalId=3280432) Editor's Note: Our frequent contributor, Michael Taylor, wrote this post. This post reflects his opinions and experiences. [Read more about Michael and some other posts on his experience online here.](https://blog.usablenet.com/author/michael-taylor) ![Michael Taylor](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Michael%20Taylor-4.jpg) ### [Michael Taylor](https://blog.usablenet.com/author/michael-taylor) I am a regular contributor to the UsableNet blog on digital accessibility. I develop, write, and edit content for the company blog related to my experiences with digital accessibility. I explore various areas of the digital world and combine my unique perspective as a screen reader user with my fun and creative writing style to deliver an informative and engaging final product. My goal is to advance the company's marketing initiatives while also raising awareness about digital accessibility and how it affects the lives of real-world assistive technology users. My work covers everything from common accessibility challenges to robust and accessible design to tutorial-like content for specific web elements. - - - - ### Related posts ![Hotel Website Accessibility: Check-in, Messaging, and In-Stay Barriers for Blind Guests](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Check-in, Messaging, and In-Stay Barriers for Blind Guests](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-check-in-and-in-stay-barriers-for-blind-guests) Jul 15, 2026 ![Hotel Website Accessibility: Browsing Room Options](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Browsing Room Options](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-browsing-room-options) Jul 14, 2026 ![Inside the 2026 Midyear Numbers: The ADA continues to be the ONLY true enforcement around](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Registration%20-%20Midyear%20Report.png) [Inside the 2026 Midyear Numbers: The ADA continues to be the ONLY true enforcement around](https://blog.usablenet.com/inside-the-2026-midyear-numbers-where-digital-accessibility-litigation-is-going) Jul 8, 2026 ![The Low-Cost Moves That Strengthen an ADA Website Defense](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/The%20Low-Cost%20Moves%20That%20Strengthen%20an%20ADA%20Website%20Defense.png) [The Low-Cost Moves That Strengthen an ADA Website Defense](https://blog.usablenet.com/the-low-cost-moves-that-strengthen-an-ada-website-defense) Jun 16, 2026 ### Sign Up for the UsableNet Blog ### Recent Posts ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Check-in, Messaging, and In-Stay Barriers for Blind Guests](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-check-in-and-in-stay-barriers-for-blind-guests) Jul 15, 2026 ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Browsing Room Options](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-browsing-room-options) Jul 14, 2026 ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Registration%20-%20Midyear%20Report.png) [Inside the 2026 Midyear Numbers: The ADA continues to be the ONLY true enforcement around](https://blog.usablenet.com/inside-the-2026-midyear-numbers-where-digital-accessibility-litigation-is-going) Jul 8, 2026 ### Posts by Topic - [Web Accessibility (311)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/web-accessibility) - [User Experience (113)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/user-experience) - [ADA Lawsuits (45)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/ada-lawsuits) - [ADA Website Compliance (38)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/ada-website-compliance) - [European Accessibility Act (34)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/european-accessibility-act) - [Mobile Web (30)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/mobile-web) - [Mobile Apps (27)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/mobile-apps) - [Retail (27)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/retail) ![](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Consultation%20Icon.svg) Need to improve digital usability, accessibility or performance? 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Stay up-to-date on our insights, the latest tech news and digital trends. ![International Association of Accessibility Professionals logo](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/IAAP-logo.png?width=150&height=81&name=IAAP-logo.png) © 2026 UsableNet Inc. ![International Association of Accessibility Professionals logo](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/IAAP-logo.png?width=150&height=81&name=IAAP-logo.png) © 2026 UsableNet Inc. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Michael Taylor", "url" : "https://blog.usablenet.com/author/michael-taylor" }, "dateModified" : "2025-11-19T18:11:01.061Z", "datePublished" : "2023-09-13T13:05:00.000Z", "headline" : "Pop-up Accessibility and How to Make Pop-ups More Accessible", "image" : [ "https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/%5BSBM%5D%20Blog%20Images%202023/UsableNet-Blog-Pop-up-Accessibility.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.usablenet.com/pop-up-accessibility-and-how-to-make-pop-ups-more-accessible", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/UsableNet%20Logo_Black.png" }, "name" : "UsableNet Inc." } } ```