Accessibility Best Practices for Modern Websites

Accessibility isn’t optional—it’s essential. Building accessible websites ensures that everyone can use your product, regardless of their abilities or the tools they use.

Why Accessibility Matters

• Legal Compliance: Many regions require accessible websites
• Broader Audience: Accessible sites work for more users
• Better SEO: Search engines favor accessible content
• Ethical Responsibility: Everyone deserves access to information

Core Principles

1. Semantic HTML

Use HTML elements for their intended purpose:

<!-- ❌ Bad -->
<div onclick="handleClick()">Click me</div>

<!-- ✅ Good -->
<button onclick="handleClick()">Click me</button>

2. ARIA Attributes

Use ARIA when HTML isn’t enough:

<button aria-label="Close dialog" aria-expanded="false">
  <Icon name="close" />
</button>

3. Keyboard Navigation

Ensure all interactive elements are keyboard accessible:

/* Focus styles */
button:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--token-color-focus);
  outline-offset: 2px;
}

4. Color Contrast

Maintain sufficient contrast ratios:

• Text: Minimum 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text
• UI Components: Minimum 3:1 for interactive elements

5. Alt Text for Images

Always provide meaningful alt text:

<Image 
  src={heroImage} 
  alt="A beautiful landscape with mountains in the background"
/>

Testing Accessibility

1. Automated Tools: Use tools like axe DevTools or Lighthouse
2. Keyboard Testing: Navigate your site using only the keyboard
3. Screen Readers: Test with NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver
4. Color Contrast Checkers: Verify contrast ratios meet WCAG standards

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing alt text on images
• Poor color contrast
• Missing focus indicators
• Non-semantic HTML
• Inaccessible forms (missing labels)
• Auto-playing media without controls

Building Accessible Components

When building components, consider:

• Focus Management: Ensure focus moves logically
• Live Regions: Use aria-live for dynamic content
• Roles: Use appropriate ARIA roles
• States: Communicate component states clearly

Accessibility is an ongoing process, not a one-time task. By building it into your workflow from the start, you’ll create better experiences for everyone!