As a web developer, don’t you think it’s exciting to create interfaces that look visually appealing and are accessible to everyone? It’s our moral responsibility to ensure that the websites we build are user-friendly and inclusive for all. The need for accessibility goes beyond catering to users with specific disabilities; it extends to providing a seamless experience in various real-life situations.

Imagine holding a cup of tea in one hand, recovering from a broken hand, dealing with a malfunctioning touchpad or mouse, or simply feeling too tired to put on your glasses. In these everyday scenarios, having an accessible interface becomes a game-changer.

Why Accessibility Matters

Accessibility is not a feature reserved for a specific group of users; it’s a necessity that benefits everyone. A genuinely accessible interface ensures that users can navigate, interact, and comprehend content regardless of their abilities or the context in which they find themselves.

The Collaborative Nature of Accessibility

Creating accessible products and services is a shared responsibility that requires the active participation of designers, developers, and stakeholders. Working collaboratively, we can guarantee that the digital experiences we create are accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities.

Best Practices for Accessible UI Components

Let’s delve into the best practices to make your UI components more accessible to a broader audience.

Visibility of Interactive Elements

Never hide the outline of an interactive element. The user should always be aware of their location within the application. For designers who prefer outlines only for keyboard usage, consider using :focus-visible. However, always check browser compatibility using tools like can I use .

User-Scalable View

Removing user-scalable=0 is crucial to allow users the flexibility to zoom in or out of the application according to their preferences. For more information on this topic, refer to this resource .

Checklist for New UI Components

When creating a new UI component, run through this checklist:

  • Ensure keyboard interaction is possible (e.g., form submission, modal opening/closing).
  • Verify seamless navigation using the tab key.
  • Confirm that hidden elements are inaccessible (e.g., hidden menus).
  • Use automated tools like AXE to identify potential issues. Check here for more information.

Image Alt Text Best Practices

When adding images, follow these best practices for alt text:

  • Include meaningful information in the alt text.
  • Avoid generic terms like ‘image,’ ‘icon,’ or ‘photo.’
  • Use an empty alt attribute (alt="") for decorative images.

Accessibility Features for Modals

Enhance modals for accessibility:

  • Move the keyboard focus inside the modal, restoring the previous active element when closed.
  • Trap keyboard focus inside the modal to prevent accidental tabbing outside.
  • Ensure screen readers are also trapped inside the modal.
  • Avoid making the close button the first focusable element.

Accessibility Features for Dropdowns

Optimize dropdowns for accessibility:

  • Assign role="listbox" to the dropdown and role="option" to each element.
  • Place aria-label or aria-labelledby on the same element as role="listbox".
  • Enable keyboard navigation using arrow keys for efficient user interaction.
  • Implement Escape (ECS) to close the dropdown.
  • Handle Enter keypresses for opening/closing the dropdown and selecting options.

Enrich your development workflow by integrating these practices and witness a transformation towards a more accessible and inclusive digital landscape. Remember, adhering to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is fundamental to creating a universally accessible web.