Abstract:

This document provides a structured, step-by-step guide for developers on how to conduct a comprehensive accessibility review of a website or application. The process begins with a foundational check of keyboard-only navigation, emphasizing the importance of a logical tab order, clearly visible focus indicators, and proper focus management for custom controls and dynamic content. The guide then moves to screen reader testing, detailing how to verify correct semantic structure, image alt text, control labels, and the use of ARIA attributes to communicate the state of custom components. It also covers the need for clear visual cues for interactive elements, the strategic use of headings and landmarks to aid navigation, and concludes by strongly recommending the integration of automated testing tools like aXe, WAVE, and Lighthouse to efficiently catch common issues and prevent regressions in the development workflow.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Accessibility Reviews

• Start with the Keyboard: The first and most critical step is to ensure the entire site is navigable using only a keyboard.

  • Details: The focus order should follow the logical DOM order. All interactive elements (buttons, links, custom controls) must be focusable and have a clearly visible focus indicator (avoid outline: none without an alternative). Custom controls may need tabindex="0". Be cautious of "keyboard traps" where a user cannot navigate out of a component like a modal.
  • Key Takeaway: Keyboard support is the foundation for accessibility, benefiting users with motor impairments and screen reader users.

• Test with a Screen Reader: After establishing keyboard support, verify that the site's structure and content are correctly interpreted by assistive technology.

  • Details: Check that all images have appropriate alt text (or alt="" for decorative images). Ensure all controls have a label, using aria-label or aria-labelledby for custom components. Custom controls must use ARIA roles (e.g., role="checkbox") and states (e.g., aria-checked) to communicate their purpose and state.
  • Key Takeaway: Semantic HTML and ARIA are crucial for providing context to screen reader users, ensuring they can understand and interact with the page.

• Ensure Interactive Elements Are Clear: All interactive elements must provide visual cues, or "affordances," to indicate their purpose.

  • Details: Links and buttons should be visually distinguishable from non-interactive text or elements. They must have a hover state for mouse users but also be identifiable without hovering to support other input methods.
  • Key Takeaway: Users should be able to instantly recognize what is clickable on a page to navigate effectively.

• Use Headings and Landmarks for Structure: A well-structured page dramatically improves navigation efficiency for assistive technology users.

  • Details: Use the h1-h6 hierarchy to create a logical outline for the page content. Employ landmark elements like <main>, <nav>, and <header>, or ARIA roles like role="search", to define regions so users can bypass repetitive content and jump to key sections.
  • Key Takeaway: Headings and landmarks act as a table of contents, allowing screen reader users to quickly understand the page layout and find information.

• Automate the Process: Incorporate automated tools into your workflow to catch common issues and prevent regressions.

  • Details: Use browser extensions like aXe or WAVE for quick checks. Integrate command-line tools like axe-cli or libraries like axe-core into your automated test suites and continuous integration (CI) environments. Tools like Google's Lighthouse also include a suite of accessibility tests.
  • Key Takeaway: While manual testing is essential, automation provides an efficient first line of defense against common accessibility errors.