Designing Accessible UI by Default
A human-first checklist for building accessible forms, buttons, and layouts without slowing down.
Designing Accessible UI by Default Accessibility is not a checklist you add at the end. It is a set of small decisions you make while building. When you build accessible components by default, your app becomes more usable for everyone, and you save time on rework later. This guide is a practical, humanized walkthrough of the most important accessibility habits for UI engineers. Start With Semantics The simplest accessibility wins come from using the right HTML elements. Use for actions, not clickable elements. Use for navigation, not fake buttons. Use headings ( , ) for structure, not just bold text. Semantic HTML gives screen readers and browsers the information they need. Make Every Control Have a Name Every interactive element needs an accessible name. This is what assistive technology reads out loud. If a button has text, you usually do not need an aria label. If it only has an icon, add one. Labels and Inputs Are a Package Deal Always connect labels to inputs. Your future self will thank you. This improves usability for keyboard and screen reader users. Keyboard First Mindset Try this test: can you use your feature with only the keyboard? At minimum: Tab should move focus through interactive elements in order. Enter and Space should activate buttons. Esc should close modals. If it fails, the UI is incomplete. Focus Should Be Visible When someone tabs through your app, they must see where they are. Do not remove focus styles unless you replace them. If you use custom focus styles, make sure the contrast is strong against the background. Modal Checklist Modals are common and easy to get wrong. Use this checklist: Trap focus inside the modal while it is open. Return...
Tags: Accessibility, UI, UX