WCAG A/AA requirement Priority: Critical
The whole page is hidden from screen readers
The <body> element of the page has aria-hidden="true", which tells screen readers to ignore all of its content.
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Why it matters to your customers
Screen reader users find nothing to read: no menu, no products, no "Add to cart" and no checkout. For them the shop looks empty and they leave.
Who is affected
- blind customers
- screen reader users
- some voice control users
How to fix it
Remove aria-hidden from the <body> element. This usually comes from a script for a pop-up, cart drawer, cookie banner or mobile menu that hides the page while the pop-up is open and fails to remove the attribute afterwards. To hide the background, use the inert attribute or a native <dialog> on the content, not on <body>, and make sure the pop-up itself stays outside the hidden part.
On Shopify
Usually a pop-up, newsletter, cookie consent or cart drawer app, or the theme's drawer script. Disable apps one by one to find the source, then fix the theme JavaScript or report it to the app developer.
On Shoptet (CZ)
Usually a pop-up or add-on script, or custom code added to the template. Report it to Shoptet or a Shoptet partner and remove any custom script that sets aria-hidden on <body>.
On PrestaShop
Usually a modal, cookie or newsletter module, or the theme's JavaScript. Find the script that sets aria-hidden on <body> and fix it or report it to the module developer.
On WooCommerce
Usually a pop-up, cookie consent, mini-cart or mobile-menu plugin, or the page builder. Deactivate plugins one by one on a staging copy to find the source and report it to the plugin author.
Standards
| Standard | Clause |
|---|---|
| WCAG 2.2 | 1.3.1 (A) Info and Relationships |
| WCAG 2.2 | 4.1.2 (A) Name, Role, Value |
| WCAG 2.1 | 1.3.1 (A) Info and Relationships |
| WCAG 2.1 | 4.1.2 (A) Name, Role, Value |
| WCAG 2.0 | 1.3.1 (A) Info and Relationships |
| WCAG 2.0 | 4.1.2 (A) Name, Role, Value |
| EN 301 549 4.1.1 | 9.1.3.1 |
| EN 301 549 4.1.1 | 9.4.1.2 |
| EN 301 549 3.2.1 | 9.1.3.1 |
| EN 301 549 3.2.1 | 9.4.1.2 |
| Section 508 2017 | E205.4 |
| ДСТУ EN 301 549 2022 | 9.1.3.1 |
| ДСТУ EN 301 549 2022 | 9.4.1.2 |
Automated check: axe-core rule aria-hidden-body.
dequeuniversity.com, github.com, www.w3.org, www.w3.org
Related checks
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Some elements have a braille label but no normal name
WCAG 4.1.2 A
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The page reloads or redirects by itself
WCAG 2.2.1 A
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WCAG 1.1.1 A
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WCAG 3.3.2 A