Building Accessible Web Applications

Web accessibility ensures everyone can use your applications, regardless of their abilities. Let's explore key principles and techniques.

Why Accessibility Matters

• Inclusive Design: Reach a wider audience
• Legal Requirements: Comply with regulations (ADA, WCAG)
• Better UX: Accessibility improvements benefit all users
• SEO Benefits: Better structure helps search engines

Essential Accessibility Principles

1. Semantic HTML

Use the right elements for the job:

<!-- Good -->
<button>Click me</button>
<nav>...</nav>
<main>...</main>
 
<!-- Bad -->
<div onclick="...">Click me</div>
<div class="navigation">...</div>

2. Keyboard Navigation

Ensure all interactive elements are keyboard accessible:

function Dialog({ isOpen, onClose }: DialogProps) {
  useEffect(() => {
    const handleEscape = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
      if (e.key === 'Escape') onClose()
    }
    document.addEventListener('keydown', handleEscape)
    return () => document.removeEventListener('keydown', handleEscape)
  }, [onClose])
  
  return isOpen ? <div role="dialog">...</div> : null
}

3. ARIA Labels

Provide context for screen readers:

<button aria-label="Close dialog" onClick={onClose}>
  <X className="h-4 w-4" />
</button>

Testing for Accessibility

Use these tools:

• axe DevTools: Browser extension for accessibility testing
• WAVE: Web accessibility evaluation tool
• Screen Readers: Test with NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver

Conclusion

Building accessible applications is not just a nice-to-have—it's essential for creating inclusive digital experiences.