Content Management Systems like WordPress often have the ability to install “themes” that determine the appearance and visual layout of the website, but themes can do more than just make your site look pretty and exciting! Themes can also help you make sure that your website is responsive and accessible.
In the context of web publishing, “responsive” design means that a website will look good on all devices, no matter the size of the screen. This article from W3 Schools provides a good overview of the concept, as well as how to incorporate responsiveness into HTML code. “Accessible” means that your website can be accessed by all users, and refers specifically to removing barriers to access that disabled individuals may face while navigating the internet. Accessible websites are optimized for screen reader users, use colors mindfully, and incorporate alt text for images.
When browsing available themes on WordPress, you can use the search filter to identify themes that are “Accessibility Ready” and keyword search “responsive” to find themes. This video from Linkedin Learning provides more information about how WordPress themes work, and this video walks you through the process of previewing, activating, and installing a theme.