accessibility-a11y

Accessibility (a11y)

Overview

This skill covers building accessible web applications that work for everyone, including people using screen readers, keyboard-only navigation, switch devices, and other assistive technologies. It addresses WCAG 2.2 compliance at AA and AAA levels, correct ARIA usage, focus management, color contrast, reduced motion support, and automated testing integration.

Use this skill when building new UI components, reviewing existing interfaces for accessibility compliance, fixing a11y audit findings, or integrating automated accessibility testing into CI/CD pipelines.

Core Principles

1. Semantic HTML first - Native HTML elements (<button>, <nav>, <dialog>) provide accessibility for free. ARIA is a repair tool for when semantics are insufficient, not a replacement for proper HTML.
2. Keyboard is the baseline - If it doesn't work with a keyboard alone, it doesn't work. Every interactive element must be focusable, operable, and have visible focus indicators.
3. Test with real assistive technology - Automated tools catch ~30% of accessibility issues. The rest require manual testing with screen readers (VoiceOver, NVDA) and keyboard-only navigation.
4. Progressive enhancement - Build the accessible version first, then layer on visual enhancements. Never hide content from assistive technology that sighted users can see.
5. No information by color alone - Color can reinforce meaning but never be the sole indicator. Use icons, text labels, and patterns alongside color.

Key Patterns

Pattern 1: Accessible Modal Dialog

When to use: Any overlay that requires user interaction before returning to the main content.

Implementation:

import { useRef, useEffect, useCallback } from "react";

interface DialogProps {
  isOpen: boolean;
  onClose: () => void;
  title: string;
  children: React.ReactNode;
}

export function Dialog({ isOpen, onClose, title, children }: DialogProps) {
  const dialogRef = useRef<HTMLDialogElement>(null);
  const previousFocusRef = useRef<HTMLElement | null>(null);

  useEffect(() => {
    const dialog = dialogRef.current;
    if (!dialog) return;

    if (isOpen) {
      // Store the element that had focus before opening
      previousFocusRef.current = document.activeElement as HTMLElement;
      dialog.showModal();
    } else {
      dialog.close();
      // Restore focus to the triggering element
      previousFocusRef.current?.focus();
    }
  }, [isOpen]);

  // Handle Escape key (native dialog handles this, but we need cleanup)
  const handleClose = useCallback(() => {
    onClose();
  }, [onClose]);

  // Handle backdrop click
  const handleBackdropClick = useCallback(
    (e: React.MouseEvent<HTMLDialogElement>) => {
      if (e.target === dialogRef.current) {
        onClose();
      }
    },
    [onClose]
  );

  if (!isOpen) return null;

  return (
    <dialog
      ref={dialogRef}
      onClose={handleClose}
      onClick={handleBackdropClick}
      aria-labelledby="dialog-title"
      aria-describedby="dialog-description"
      className="dialog"
    >
      <div className="dialog-content" role="document">
        <header className="dialog-header">
          <h2 id="dialog-title">{title}</h2>
          <button
            onClick={onClose}
            aria-label="Close dialog"
            className="dialog-close"
          >
            <span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
          </button>
        </header>
        <div id="dialog-description">{children}</div>
      </div>
    </dialog>
  );
}