Accessible interfaces work better for everyone: clearer contrast helps in sunlight, keyboard support helps power users, and clear labels help everyone in a hurry. Most requirements are unremarkable once they are habits.
Semantics before ARIA
A button element is focusable, announced correctly and keyboard operable for free. A div with a click handler is none of those. The first rule of ARIA is not to use it when a native element will do.
The checks that catch most issues
- Every interactive element reachable and operable by keyboard
- A visible focus indicator that is never removed
- Text contrast meeting at least 4.5:1
- Form inputs with associated labels, not placeholder text alone
- Images with meaningful alternative text, decorative ones marked empty
Motion and timing
Respect reduced-motion preferences, avoid content that moves without control, and do not impose time limits on reading or form completion.
Test with the tools people use
Automated checkers catch perhaps a third of issues. Navigate a key journey with the keyboard alone, then with a screen reader. Problems become obvious within minutes.
Keep it from regressing
Add contrast and semantics to code review, and run an automated check in the pipeline. Accessibility decays quietly unless something guards it.
If a journey cannot be completed with a keyboard, it is broken for far more people than those using assistive technology.
Where to start
Unplug your mouse and complete your primary conversion flow. Whatever stops you is your first fix.
