HTML Accessibility

HTML Accessibility Skill

Purpose

Ensure websites meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards for inclusive user experience.

Core Principles (POUR)

Perceivable

• Text alternatives for images
• Captions for audio/video
• Sufficient color contrast
• Text resizable without loss

Operable

• Keyboard accessible
• Enough time to interact
• No seizure-inducing content
• Easy navigation

Understandable

• Readable text
• Predictable behavior
• Input assistance
• Error prevention

Robust

• Compatible with assistive tech
• Valid HTML
• Proper ARIA usage

Best Practices

Semantic HTML

<!-- ✅ Good: Semantic -->
<header>
  <nav aria-label="Main navigation">
    <ul>
      <li><a href="/">Home</a></li>
    </ul>
  </nav>
</header>

<!-- ❌ Bad: Non-semantic -->
<div class="header">
  <div class="nav">...</div>
</div>

Alt Text

<!-- ✅ Good: Descriptive alt -->
<img src="chart.png" alt="Bar chart showing 60% increase in usage">

<!-- ❌ Bad: Missing or useless alt -->
<img src="chart.png" alt="chart">

Color Contrast

/* ✅ Good: WCAG AA compliant */
.text {
  color: #333;  /* Contrast ratio: 12.6:1 */
  background: #fff;
}

/* ❌ Bad: Insufficient contrast */
.text {
  color: #777;  /* Contrast ratio: 4.4:1 - fails for small text */
  background: #fff;
}

Keyboard Navigation

/* ✅ Good: Visible focus */
a:focus, button:focus {
  outline: 2px solid #007bff;
  outline-offset: 2px;
}

/* ❌ Bad: Removed focus */
*:focus {
  outline: none;  /* NEVER DO THIS */
}

Testing

• Keyboard-only navigation
• Screen reader testing
• Color contrast checking
• HTML validation
• Automated tools (axe, WAVE)

References

• WCAG 2.1
• MDN Accessibility

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