Accessibility Debt Backlog: Jira Template Walkthrough

Managing accessibility issues becomes harder when teams let small problems accumulate over time. This creates accessibility debt — unresolved barriers that prevent users with disabilities from interacting with your product.

This walkthrough explains how to structure an accessibility debt backlog in Jira, using best practices from WCAG guidelines, ADA compliance, and inclusive design.

Why Accessibility Debt Matters

Accessibility debt slows development, increases legal risk, and creates frustrating experiences for users. Typical causes include:

• Missing alt text for images

• Poor color contrast (failing color contrast checker standards)

• Incorrect or missing semantic HTML

• Keyboard traps or non-focusable elements

• Components failing automated checks from accessibility testing tools

A properly organized backlog helps teams understand scope, prioritize issues, and track compliance.

How to Build an Accessibility Debt Backlog in Jira

Below is a recommended structure for a reusable Jira template.

1. Issue Title Format

Use clear, specific titles that reference both the component and the problem:

• “Button component: Missing accessible name (WCAG 4.1.2)”

• “Login modal: Insufficient contrast (fails 3:1 per WCAG guidelines)”

• “Product images: Missing alt text for images”

This improves visibility for developers and QA.

2. Jira Fields to Include

3. Jira Description Template (Copy-Ready)

**Issue Summary:**  
Describe the accessibility barrier clearly.

**Steps to Reproduce:**  
1.  
2.  
3.  

**Expected Behavior (Inclusive Design):**  
Describe the accessible outcome based on WCAG guidelines.

**Actual Behavior:**  
What currently fails.

**WCAG Guidelines Reference:**  
e.g., WCAG 1.4.3, 1.1.1, 2.1.1

**ADA Compliance Impact:**  
Explain legal or user-impact relevance.

**Screenshots / Video:**  
Attach visual proof.

**Suggested Fix:**  
Semantic HTML, ARIA adjustments, color updates, alt text improvements, etc.

**Testing Notes:**  
Tools used: axe, WAVE, Lighthouse, manual keyboard testing

Prioritizing Accessibility Debt

A well-structured backlog reduces overwhelm. Here’s a simple hierarchy:

1. Critical (Fix First)

• Blocks screen readers

• Missing labels

• Broken keyboard navigation

• Severe color contrast failures

2. High

• Incorrect semantic HTML

• Focus order issues

• Components failing multiple automated audits

3. Medium

• Inconsistent alt text

• Minor layout issues

4. Low

• Cosmetic errors that don't impact usability

Running an Accessibility Audit Before Adding Issues

Before filling your backlog, conduct an accessibility audit using:

• Automatic checkers (accessibility testing tools such as Axe, WAVE, Lighthouse)

• Manual keyboard testing

• Color contrast checker validation

• Review of structure and semantics

• Media: proper alt text for images, captions, transcripts

An audit ensures issues are documented consistently and accurately.

Conclusion

An organized accessibility debt backlog gives teams clarity, reduces risk, and builds a more inclusive product. Using a standardized Jira template ensures that every issue includes references to WCAG guidelines, ADA compliance, and user impact — making accessibility not just a requirement, but a systematic part of development.