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https://babycenter.com

Accessibility

· 13 checks — Landmarks, headings, alt text, forms, and link quality rolled into one auditable list.
SCORE
64
GRADE
D
FIX
4
REVIEW
6
PASS
3
INFO
0
Checks
13
3 PASS 6 REVIEW 4 FIX
D
Landmark Structure
Action
2 landmarks
FIX
2 landmarks
Critical::
No <main> landmark found
Screen reader users cannot quickly navigate to the primary content. Wrap your main content in <main>.
Warning::
No <nav> landmark found
Info::
No contentinfo (footer) landmark
Warning::
Skip navigation link is missing (WCAG 2.4.1)
Add a skip link as the first focusable element so keyboard users can bypass repeated navigation.
Page Structure — as a screen reader sees it
BANNER header MAIN (missing!) CONTENTINFO (missing!)

Screen reader users cannot quickly navigate to the primary content. Wrap your main content in <main>.

Why this matters

Without a <main> landmark, screen-reader users can't skip past the navigation to the page content — every page starts with re-reading the menu.

Learn more ▾

The <main> element marks the page's primary content area. Assistive tech offers a 'jump to main' shortcut — but only if <main> exists. Without it, every page navigation forces re-reading the header. Wrap your primary content in a single <main>.

Source: WAI-ARIA / WCAG 2.4.1

Add a skip link as the first focusable element so keyboard users can bypass repeated navigation.

Why this matters

Without a skip-nav link, keyboard users tab through every nav item before reaching content — every page, every visit.

Learn more ▾

WCAG 2.4.1 (Bypass Blocks) requires a mechanism to skip past repeated content. The standard implementation is a 'Skip to main content' link that's the first focusable element, visually hidden until focused. Three lines of HTML + four of CSS.

Source: WCAG 2.1 SC 2.4.1

D
Web Manifest
Action
Not found
FIX
Not found
Info::
No web manifest found
No manifest at standard paths (/manifest.json, /site.webmanifest). A manifest is optional but enables PWA features like home screen installation and standalone display.

No web manifest found.

D
Print Stylesheet
Action
No print styles
FIX
No print styles
Info::
No print-specific styles detected
When users print this page, they get the screen layout including navigation and non-essential elements. Add @media print rules to hide navigation and optimize layout for paper.
Print Stylesheet No Print Styles
Print stylesheet Not found ✗Inline @media print Not detected ✗
F
Navigation UX
Action
No navigation patterns
FIX
No navigation patterns
Info::
Hamburger menu detected (responsive design)
Info::
No breadcrumbs, search, or skip link detected
These navigation aids help users orient themselves and find content efficiently, especially on large sites.
Breadcrumbs
Search
Skip Link
Labeled Navigation
Back to Top
Hamburger Menu
Sticky Navigation Cannot reliably detect (CSS-based)
1 of 6 testable patterns navigation patterns detected. Limited navigation support. Consider adding breadcrumbs, search, and skip link.
B
Heading Hierarchy
12 headings, 1 skip(s)
REVIEW
12 headings, 1 skip(s)
Warning::
Multiple H1 headings (2 found)
A page should have only one H1. Multiple H1s dilute the document outline.
Warning::
Heading level skipped: H2 → H4 (missing H3)
Skipping heading levels breaks the document outline. Screen readers may interpret missing levels as structural errors.
  • H3 BabyCenter is your parenting partner.
  • H2 BabyCenterCourses
  • H2 BabyCenter Registry
  • H1 What does your baby look like now?
  • H2 BabyCenterCourses
  • H2 BabyCenter Registry
  • H1 What does your baby look like now? duplicate H1
  • H2 BabyCenterCourses
  • H4 Find more tools in our app skipped
  • H2 Baby Names A-Z
  • H2 Best Baby and Pregnancy Products
  • H2 Your privacy is important to us.

A page should have only one H1. Multiple H1s dilute the document outline.

Why this matters

Multiple H1s blur the page's primary topic — screen-reader users and Google both prefer one H1.

Learn more ▾

HTML5's outline algorithm technically allows multiple H1s within sectioning content, but no browser implements it. In practice: one H1 per page. Use H2-H6 for subsections.

Source: WCAG 2.4.6 / Google Search Central

Skipping heading levels breaks the document outline. Screen readers may interpret missing levels as structural errors.

Why this matters

Skipping heading levels breaks the document outline — screen-reader users lose track of section nesting.

Learn more ▾

Screen reader users navigate by jumping between headings (H1 → H2 → H3). Skipping (H1 → H3) breaks the sense of hierarchy. Use sequential levels even if you don't like the default styling — restyle with CSS instead. WCAG 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships) treats this as an A failure.

Source: WCAG 2.1 SC 1.3.1 / W3C WAI

B
Favicon & Branding
7 icon(s) detected
REVIEW
7 icon(s) detected
Info::
favicon.ico present at site root
Info::
HTML icon links detected
Info::
Apple touch icon present
Info::
Multiple icon sizes detected
✓ favicon.ico Present
✓ PNG Icons Present
✓ Apple Touch Present
✗ SVG Favicon Missing
✗ Manifest Icons Missing
✓ Multiple Sizes Present
B
Dark Mode Support
Dark mode detected
REVIEW
Dark mode detected
Info::
Dark-specific theme-color detected
A theme-color with media='(prefers-color-scheme: dark)' adapts the browser toolbar for dark mode.
Info::
prefers-color-scheme CSS detected in inline styles
Info::
Detection limited to meta tags and inline styles
External CSS files may contain prefers-color-scheme rules not visible to this scan.
Dark Mode✓ Dark Mode Supported
color-scheme meta Not set ✗Dark theme-color #02467c ✓CSS indicators Detected ✓

Detection limited to meta tags and inline styles.

C
Color Contrast (Screenshot)
Action
20 text elements analyzed, 8 fail WCAG AA
REVIEW

Analyzes text contrast against the actual rendered page, including background images, gradients, and overlays that CSS-based tools cannot detect.

12 pass 8 fail WCAG AA 8 pass AA only
button Log in
4.42:1
#000000
on
#737372
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · top of page (header area) · over background image/gradient
button Sign up
4.21:1
#000000
on
#56766D
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · top of page (header area)
button The BabyCenter App
4.21:1
#000000
on
#56766D
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · top of page (header area)
a Get the App
4.21:1
#000000
on
#56766D
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · above the fold
div new
4.21:1
#000000
on
#56766D
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · above the fold
button Community
4.03:1
#000000
on
#53736A
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · above the fold
a Trending Posts
3.98:1
#000000
on
#537269
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · above the fold
a Birth Clubs
4.21:1
#000000
on
#63736F
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · above the fold

1 contrast failures on background images/gradients

These failures are invisible to CSS-based accessibility tools like Lighthouse. The text may be fine on a solid background, but fails when rendered over an image or gradient.

Show all checked elements (20)
ElementRatioRequiredFGBGResult
h2 Baby Names A-Z4.62:13.0:1
#000000
#767676
Pass
h2 Best Baby and Pregna…4.62:13.0:1
#000000
#767676
Pass
h2 Your privacy is impo…4.62:13.0:1
#000000
#767676
Pass
h3 BabyCenter is your p…4.62:13.0:1
#000000
#767676
Pass
title BabyCenter | The Mos…5.24:14.5:1
#000000
#7F7F7F
Pass
button Log in4.42:14.5:1
#000000
#737372
Fail
button Sign up4.21:14.5:1
#000000
#56766D
Fail
button The BabyCenter App4.21:14.5:1
#000000
#56766D
Fail
a Get the App4.21:14.5:1
#000000
#56766D
Fail
div new4.21:14.5:1
#000000
#56766D
Fail
button Community4.03:14.5:1
#000000
#53736A
Fail
a Trending Posts3.98:14.5:1
#000000
#537269
Fail
a Birth Clubs4.21:14.5:1
#000000
#63736F
Fail
a Groups4.56:14.5:1
#000000
#767573
Pass
a See all in Community4.61:14.5:1
#000000
#777670
Pass
button Getting Pregnant4.61:14.5:1
#000000
#777670
Pass
a Ovulation4.61:14.5:1
#000000
#777670
Pass
a Ovulation Calculator4.61:14.5:1
#000000
#777670
Pass
a Fertility4.61:14.5:1
#000000
#777670
Pass
a How To Get Pregnant4.61:14.5:1
#000000
#777670
Pass

Methodology: The top 20 text elements by font size were checked. Background color was sampled from the desktop screenshot using a 5-point pattern. WCAG 2.1 AA requires 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.

B
Lighthouse Accessibility Audits
Score 89/100 — 4 failing, 21 passed
REVIEW
89

Accessibility

These checks highlight opportunities to improve the accessibility of your web app. Automatic detection can only detect a subset of issues and does not guarantee the accessibility of your web app, so manual testing is also encouraged.

Names and labels

When a button doesn't have an accessible name, screen readers announce it as "button", making it unusable for users who rely on screen readers. Learn how to make buttons more accessible.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

Failing Elements
close dialog popup body > div#__next > div.mui-vv77cz > button.MuiButtonBase-root

These are opportunities to improve the semantics of the controls in your application. This may enhance the experience for users of assistive technology, like a screen reader.

Contrast

Low-contrast text is difficult or impossible for many users to read. Learn how to provide sufficient color contrast.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

Failing Elements
PREMIUM div.slide > div.slideCaption > div.slideLabel > span
Privacy Policy div#onetrust-group-container > div#onetrust-policy > div#onetrust-policy-text > a.ot-cookie-policy-link
More Options div.ot-sdk-row > div#onetrust-button-group-parent > div#onetrust-button-group > button#onetrust-pc-btn-handler
Do Not Consent div#onetrust-button-group-parent > div#onetrust-button-group > div.banner-actions-container > button#onetrust-reject-all-handler
I Consent div#onetrust-button-group-parent > div#onetrust-button-group > div.banner-actions-container > button#onetrust-accept-btn-handler

These are opportunities to improve the legibility of your content.

Navigation

Properly ordered headings that do not skip levels convey the semantic structure of the page, making it easier to navigate and understand when using assistive technologies. Learn more about heading order.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

Failing Elements
Find more tools in our app div.toolPromos > div.infoBoxAlt1 > div.moduleTop > h4

These are opportunities to improve keyboard navigation in your application.

Visible text labels that do not match the accessible name can result in a confusing experience for screen reader users. Learn more about accessible names.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

Failing Elements
1 div#appBarContent > div.column > div.notificationAndLogin > button.mui-1pdxun3
Privacy Policy div#onetrust-group-container > div#onetrust-policy > div#onetrust-policy-text > a.ot-cookie-policy-link
○Interactive controls are keyboard focusable
○Interactive elements indicate their purpose and state
○The page has a logical tab order
○Visual order on the page follows DOM order
○User focus is not accidentally trapped in a region
○The user's focus is directed to new content added to the page
○HTML5 landmark elements are used to improve navigation
○Offscreen content is hidden from assistive technology
○Custom controls have associated labels
○Custom controls have ARIA roles
●`[aria-*]` attributes match their roles
●`[aria-hidden="true"]` is not present on the document `<body>`
●`[role]`s have all required `[aria-*]` attributes
●`[role]` values are valid
●`[aria-*]` attributes have valid values
●`[aria-*]` attributes are valid and not misspelled
●Image elements have `[alt]` attributes
●`[user-scalable="no"]` is not used in the `<meta name="viewport">` element and the `[maximum-scale]` attribute is not less than 5.
●ARIA attributes are used as specified for the element's role
●Elements with `role="dialog"` or `role="alertdialog"` have accessible names.
●`[aria-hidden="true"]` elements do not contain focusable descendents
●Elements use only permitted ARIA attributes
●Document has a `<title>` element
●`<html>` element has a `[lang]` attribute
●`<html>` element has a valid value for its `[lang]` attribute
●Links are distinguishable without relying on color.
●Links have a discernible name
●No element has a `[tabindex]` value greater than 0
●Touch targets have sufficient size and spacing.
●Document has a main landmark.
●Deprecated ARIA roles were not used
○`[accesskey]` values are unique
○`button`, `link`, and `menuitem` elements have accessible names
○ARIA input fields have accessible names
○ARIA `meter` elements have accessible names
○ARIA `progressbar` elements have accessible names
○Elements with an ARIA `[role]` that require children to contain a specific `[role]` have all required children.
○`[role]`s are contained by their required parent element
○Elements with the `role=text` attribute do not have focusable descendents.
○ARIA toggle fields have accessible names
○ARIA `tooltip` elements have accessible names
○ARIA `treeitem` elements have accessible names
○The page contains a heading, skip link, or landmark region
○`<dl>`'s contain only properly-ordered `<dt>` and `<dd>` groups, `<script>`, `<template>` or `<div>` elements.
○Definition list items are wrapped in `<dl>` elements
○ARIA IDs are unique
○No form fields have multiple labels
○`<frame>` or `<iframe>` elements have a title
○`<html>` element has an `[xml:lang]` attribute with the same base language as the `[lang]` attribute.
○Input buttons have discernible text.
○`<input type="image">` elements have `[alt]` text
○Form elements have associated labels
○Lists contain only `<li>` elements and script supporting elements (`<script>` and `<template>`).
○List items (`<li>`) are contained within `<ul>`, `<ol>` or `<menu>` parent elements
○The document does not use `<meta http-equiv="refresh">`
○`<object>` elements have alternate text
○Select elements have associated label elements.
○Skip links are focusable.
○Cells in a `<table>` element that use the `[headers]` attribute refer to table cells within the same table.
○`<th>` elements and elements with `[role="columnheader"/"rowheader"]` have data cells they describe.
○`[lang]` attributes have a valid value
○`<video>` elements contain a `<track>` element with `[kind="captions"]`
○Tables have different content in the summary attribute and `<caption>`.
○All heading elements contain content.
○Uses ARIA roles only on compatible elements
○Image elements do not have `[alt]` attributes that are redundant text.
○Identical links have the same purpose.
○Tables use `<caption>` instead of cells with the `[colspan]` attribute to indicate a caption.
○`<td>` elements in a large `<table>` have one or more table headers.
A+
Alt Text Quality
All 64 images OK
PASS
All 64 images OK
Info::
10 decorative image(s) correctly marked
Info::
54 image(s) with good alt text
64 images 54 good alt text 10 decorative
All images have appropriate alt text.
A
Form Accessibility
1 of 1 controls have issues
PASS
1 of 1 controls have issues
Warning::
1 control(s) rely on placeholder only
Placeholder text disappears on focus and is not a reliable label.
Got: <input type="search">
1 controls
0 labeled
1 placeholder only
0 unlabeled
ControlTypeLabelMethod
inputsearch(How can we help?)placeholder only

Placeholder text disappears on focus and is not a reliable label.

<input type="search">

Why this matters

Placeholder-only labels disappear when the user starts typing — they must remember what the field was for.

Learn more ▾

Placeholders are NOT labels. They vanish on input, fail color contrast checks (most are gray), and don't satisfy WCAG SC 3.3.2. Always use a real <label> alongside (or aria-labelledby).

Source: WCAG 2.1 SC 3.3.2 / Nielsen Norman

A
404 Error Page
HTTP 404, custom page
PASS
HTTP 404, custom page
Info::
Correct 404 status code returned
Got: HTTP 404
Info::
Custom styled 404 page
Info::
Navigation links present on 404 page
Info::
Homepage link present on 404 page
Info::
Search form present on 404 page
404 Page Quality ✓ Custom 404 Page
Status Code HTTP 404 ✓Page Title Page Not Found | BabyCenter ✓Custom Styling ✓Navigation ✓Homepage Link ✓Search Form ✓
All checks on this page are automated. Results are estimates - run targeted manual reviews when the score affects a release decision.

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