Accessibility Patterns in Front End Architecture

Definitions

• ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications): A set of attributes that can be added to HTML to improve accessibility.
• Semantic HTML: Using HTML markup that conveys meaning and structure to assistive technologies.
• Keyboard Navigation: The ability to navigate a website using a keyboard instead of a mouse.

Common Patterns

1. Skip Links: Allow users to skip repetitive content. Example:

   
   <a href="#main-content" class="skip-link">Skip to main content</a>
   <main id="main-content"> ... </main>
                               

2. Focus Management: Automatically move focus to important content. Example:

   
   function setFocus() {
       document.getElementById('important-content').focus();
   }
   window.onload = setFocus;
                               

3. Error Identification: Clearly indicate errors in forms. Example:

   
   <input type="text" aria-invalid="true" aria-describedby="error">
   <div id="error" class="error-message">This field is required.</div>
                               

Implementing Accessibility

• Use semantic HTML elements appropriately.
• Ensure sufficient color contrast.
• Provide alternative text for images.
• Test your application with screen readers.
• Make interactive elements keyboard accessible.