Accessibility in Web Development: Building for Everyone

Accessibility (a11y) is not optional. It's a moral and legal obligation. Your website should be usable by everyone, including people with disabilities.

Semantic HTML

Use semantic elements like <button>, <nav>, <main>, <article> instead of generic divs.

<!-- Good -->
<nav>
  <a href="/">Home</a>
  <a href="/about">About</a>
</nav>

<!-- Avoid -->
<div class="navbar">
  <div class="link">Home</div>
</div>

ARIA Attributes

Use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) for dynamic content and widgets.

All functionality must be accessible via keyboard. Don't rely on mouse-only interactions.

Color Contrast

Ensure sufficient color contrast for readability. WCAG AA requires at least 4.5:1 contrast ratio.

Alt Text

Always provide descriptive alt text for images.

<img src="chart.png" alt="Monthly sales chart showing 20% growth in Q4" />

Focus Management

Maintain visible focus indicators. Don't hide focus for keyboard users.

Testing

Use accessibility tools like Lighthouse, axe, or Wave to identify issues.

Inclusivity Mindset

Think about accessibility from the start. It's easier to build accessible than to retrofit.

WCAG Guidelines

Follow WCAG 2.1 guidelines (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust).

Accessibility benefits everyone. A well-structured site is faster, more maintainable, and more professional.

Accessibility in Web Development: Building for Everyone