Web Accessibility 101
By Alex Chronos • August 2025 • 7 min read
Building digital experiences that work for everyone starts with understanding accessibility principles. Here are the core concepts every developer and designer should know.
1. Keyboard Accessibility
All interactive elements must be accessible via keyboard. Ensure:
- Focus indicators are visible
- Logical tabbing order
- ARIA attributes for complex components (e.g.
role="menubar")
2. Semantic HTML
Use the right HTML elements for their intended purpose:
<nav> for navigation menus
<time> for dates
<summary> for collapsible sections
<figure> for images/icons with <figcaption>
3. Contrast & Readability
AA (4.5:1)
AAA (7:1)
Ensure all text has at least AA contrast ratio. Use tools like WebAIM Contrast Checker and include alt text for all non-decorative images.