tommygeoco_ui-audit/references/27-patterns-accessibility.md

Patterns: Accessibility

Patterns for ensuring interfaces are usable by everyone.

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Why Accessibility Matters

• Legal — ADA, Section 508, WCAG compliance requirements
• Ethical — Equal access is a design responsibility
• Business — 15%+ of users have some disability
• Quality — Accessible design improves UX for everyone

Core principle: Accessibility is not a checklist item—it's a design approach.

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Keyboard Navigation

What: Full functionality without a mouse.

Requirements

Pattern	Keyboard Support
Focus order	Tab moves logically through page
Focus visible	Current focus always visible
Activation	Enter/Space activates buttons/links
Navigation	Arrow keys navigate within components
Escape	Escape closes modals/popups
Shortcuts	Common shortcuts available

Focus Order Principles

1. Follow visual reading order (left-to-right, top-to-bottom)
2. Skip decorative/non-interactive elements
3. Group related controls
4. Don't trap focus (except in modals)
5. Return focus appropriately after interactions

Implementation Guidelines

DO:

• Use semantic HTML (inherits keyboard support)
• Provide visible focus indicators (not outline: none)
• Test with keyboard only
• Support standard keyboard patterns
• Announce changes to screen readers

DON'T:

• Use div/span for interactive elements (without ARIA)
• Remove focus outlines without replacement
• Create custom interactions without keyboard support
• Change focus order unpredictably
• Trap users in infinite tab loops

Focus Indicator Styling

/* Visible, high contrast focus */
:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid #2563eb;
  outline-offset: 2px;
}

/* Remove default only when custom is applied */
button:focus {
  outline: none;
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.5);
}

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ARIA Attributes

What: Accessible Rich Internet Applications—additional semantics for assistive technology.

Core ARIA Rules

1. First rule: Don't use ARIA if native HTML works
2. Second rule: Don't change native semantics
3. Third rule: All interactive ARIA must be keyboard accessible
4. Fourth rule: Don't use role="presentation" on focusable elements
5. Fifth rule: All interactive elements must have accessible names

Essential ARIA Attributes

Attribute	Purpose	Example
aria-label	Accessible name	<button aria-label="Close">×</button>
aria-describedby	Additional description	Links to help text
aria-hidden	Hide from assistive tech	Decorative elements
aria-expanded	Toggle state	Accordions, dropdowns
aria-selected	Selection state	Tabs, list items
aria-live	Announce changes	Dynamic content
aria-invalid	Invalid state	Form validation
aria-required	Required field	Form fields

Common Patterns

Button with icon only:

<button aria-label="Delete item">
  <svg aria-hidden="true">...</svg>
</button>

Accordion:

<button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="panel1">
  Section Title
</button>
<div id="panel1" hidden>Content...</div>

Live region:

<div aria-live="polite" aria-atomic="true">
  <!-- Content changes announced by screen reader -->
</div>

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Alternative Text

What: Text equivalents for non-text content.

Alt Text Guidelines

Informative images:

• Describe the content/function
• Be concise but complete
• Don't include "image of" or "picture of"

Decorative images:

• Use empty alt: alt=""
• Or use aria-hidden="true"

Functional images (buttons/links):

• Describe the action, not the image
• "Submit form" not "arrow icon"

Complex images:

• Provide detailed description nearby
• Use aria-describedby to link
• Consider data tables for charts

Examples

Image	Bad Alt	Good Alt
Logo	"Logo"	"Acme Corp"
Search icon	"Magnifying glass"	"Search"
Product photo	"Photo"	"Blue cotton t-shirt, front view"
Decorative border	"Border"	alt="" (empty)
Chart	"Chart"	"Sales increased 25% from Q1 to Q2" + full data table

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Color & Contrast

What: Ensuring content is perceivable regardless of color vision.

Contrast Requirements

Content	Minimum Ratio	Target Ratio
Normal text	4.5:1	7:1 (AAA)
Large text (18px+)	3:1	4.5:1 (AAA)
UI components	3:1	4.5:1
Focus indicators	3:1	4.5:1

Color Guidelines

DO:

• Use high contrast combinations
• Include patterns/icons in addition to color
• Test with color blindness simulators
• Provide color contrast alternatives
• Verify with automated tools

DON'T:

• Use color as the only indicator
• Use low contrast text
• Place colored text on similar backgrounds
• Assume everyone sees the same colors
• Use red/green as the only differentiator

Color + Pattern Example

✓ Success (green check icon + green color)
✗ Error (red X icon + red color + border)
! Warning (yellow triangle icon + yellow background)

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Text & Readability

What: Ensuring text is readable by all users.

Guidelines

Font size:

• Minimum 16px for body text
• Support browser zoom up to 200%
• Use relative units (rem, em)

Line length:

• 45-75 characters per line
• Max-width on text containers

Line height:

• 1.5 minimum for body text
• 1.2 minimum for headings

Font choice:

• Sans-serif for UI
• Avoid decorative fonts for body
• Adequate x-height

Text resizing:

• Content must remain usable at 200% zoom
• No horizontal scrolling at 320px width

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Interactive Elements

What: Making interactive elements accessible.

Minimum Sizes

Element	Minimum Size	Target Size
Touch targets	44x44px	48x48px
Click targets	24x24px	32x32px
Spacing between	8px	12px

Element Guidelines

Links:

• Descriptive text (not "click here")
• Distinguish from regular text
• Show visited state
• Focus + hover states

Buttons:

• Clear labels
• Sufficient size
• Visible states (hover, focus, active, disabled)
• Keyboard accessible

Forms:

• Labels associated with inputs
• Error messages linked (aria-describedby)
• Required fields indicated
• Group related fields (fieldset/legend)

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Motion & Animation

What: Respecting user preferences for reduced motion.

Guidelines

DO:

• Respect prefers-reduced-motion
• Keep animations subtle
• Allow users to pause/stop animations
• Avoid flashing content (seizure risk)

DON'T:

• Auto-play video with motion
• Use fast/flashing animations
• Create vestibular triggers
• Force users to watch animations

Implementation

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  * {
    animation: none !important;
    transition: none !important;
  }
}

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Screen Reader Testing

What: Verifying experience for screen reader users.

Testing Checklist

☐ All images have appropriate alt text ☐ Headings create logical outline (H1 → H2 → H3) ☐ Links and buttons have descriptive names ☐ Form labels are associated with inputs ☐ Error messages are announced ☐ Dynamic content changes are announced ☐ Focus management works after interactions ☐ Page title is descriptive

Screen Readers to Test

• VoiceOver — macOS/iOS (built-in)
• NVDA — Windows (free)
• JAWS — Windows (paid, enterprise standard)
• TalkBack — Android (built-in)

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Accessibility Checklist

Category	Requirements
☐ Keyboard	All functions keyboard accessible
☐ Focus	Visible focus indicators
☐ Semantics	Proper HTML elements + ARIA
☐ Images	Alt text for all meaningful images
☐ Color	Not the only differentiator
☐ Contrast	4.5:1 for text, 3:1 for UI
☐ Text	Resizable, readable, proper hierarchy
☐ Motion	Reducible, not seizure-inducing
☐ Forms	Labels, errors, required indicators
☐ Testing	Verified with screen reader