---
title: "Email Accessibility for Marketers: Alt Text, Contrast, and Structure"
description: "Practical accessibility checks marketers can ship before export - not a certification claim, a production discipline."
canonical: "https://memo.ly/blog/email-accessibility-checklist-for-marketers"
updated: "2026-07-31"
---

# Email Accessibility for Marketers: Alt Text, Contrast, and Structure

Practical accessibility checks marketers can ship before export - not a certification claim, a production discipline.

*Guide · 8 min read · Updated 2026-07-31*

Accessibility in email is uneven - client support varies, dark mode surprises everyone. That is not an excuse to skip alt text on your hero or ship gray-on-gray body copy because it looked fine on your laptop.

## Alt text on images

Decorative images can use empty alt. Content images need words that carry the message when images are off. Preflight can flag missing alt on content images.

## Contrast and type

Brand palettes still need readable pairs. Brand Kit contrast warnings and preflight brand checks catch some issues early - human review catches tone and hierarchy.

## Structure, not only paint

Screen reader users benefit from logical reading order in the compiled HTML - another reason table-spacer hacks should stay intentional, not accidental.

> This article is operational guidance, not legal advice or a WCAG conformance statement.

## FAQ

### Does Memo certify WCAG compliance?

No. Memo helps teams catch common production issues. Formal compliance programs need broader process and testing beyond email HTML alone.

### What about dark mode?

Dark mode rendering varies by client. Preflight includes checks where product rules apply; test sends still help for visual confirmation.

### Are accessibility findings blocking?

Severity depends on rule and quality profile. Treat missing alt on hero images as blocking for marketing sends.

### Who owns accessibility - design or marketing?

Both. Design sets standards in Brand Kit; marketing verifies on each approved version.

## Related
- [Email preflight checklist](https://memo.ly/email-preflight-checklist.md)

[View HTML version](https://memo.ly/blog/email-accessibility-checklist-for-marketers) · [Blog](https://memo.ly/blog)