Web Accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA)

Status: Production Ready ✅ Last Updated: 2026-01-14 Dependencies: None (framework-agnostic) Standards: WCAG 2.1 Level AA

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Quick Start (5 Minutes)

1. Semantic HTML Foundation

Choose the right element - don't use div for everything:

<!-- ❌ WRONG - divs with onClick -->
<div onclick="submit()">Submit</div>
<div onclick="navigate()">Next page</div>

<!-- ✅ CORRECT - semantic elements -->
<button type="submit">Submit</button>
<a href="/next">Next page</a>

Why this matters:

• Semantic elements have built-in keyboard support
• Screen readers announce role automatically
• Browser provides default accessible behaviors

2. Focus Management

Make interactive elements keyboard-accessible:

/* ❌ WRONG - removes focus outline */
button:focus { outline: none; }

/* ✅ CORRECT - custom accessible outline */
button:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--primary);
  outline-offset: 2px;
}

CRITICAL:

• Never remove focus outlines without replacement
• Use :focus-visible to show only on keyboard focus
• Ensure 3:1 contrast ratio for focus indicators

3. Text Alternatives

Every non-text element needs a text alternative:

<!-- ❌ WRONG - no alt text -->
<img src="logo.png">
<button><svg>...</svg></button>

<!-- ✅ CORRECT - proper alternatives -->
<img src="logo.png" alt="Company Name">
<button aria-label="Close dialog"><svg>...</svg></button>

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The 5-Step Accessibility Process

Step 1: Choose Semantic HTML

Decision tree for element selection:

Need clickable element?
├─ Navigates to another page? → <a href="...">
├─ Submits form? → <button type="submit">
├─ Opens dialog? → <button aria-haspopup="dialog">
└─ Other action? → <button type="button">

Grouping content?
├─ Self-contained article? → <article>
├─ Thematic section? → <section>
├─ Navigation links? → <nav>
└─ Supplementary info? → <aside>