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Accessibility Best Practices

Accessibility is essential for creating inclusive web pages that can be used by all users, regardless of their abilities. In this tutorial, we will discuss the best practices for improving the accessibility of your web pages using HTML.

Use Semantic HTML Elements​

Using semantic HTML elements like <header>, <nav>, <main>, <article>, <section>, <aside>, and <footer> helps screen readers and other assistive technologies understand the structure and purpose of your content.

HTML
<header>
  <h1>Website Title</h1>
  <nav>...</nav>
</header>
<main>
  <article>...</article>
  <section>...</section>
</main>
<footer>...</footer>

Add Alternative Text to Images​

Always add the alt attribute to your <img> elements to provide a textual description of the image. This helps screen readers convey the meaning of the image to users who cannot see it.

HTML
<img src="example.jpg" alt="A description of the image" />

Use ARIA Attributes​

Use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes to improve the accessibility of interactive elements, such as custom widgets, and provide additional context for screen readers.

HTML
<button aria-label="Close modal">X</button>

Ensure Keyboard Navigation​

Make sure all interactive elements, such as links and buttons, are accessible via keyboard navigation using the tabindex attribute.

HTML
<a href="example.html" tabindex="0">Example link</a> <button tabindex="0">Example button</button>

Provide Descriptive Link Text​

Use descriptive link text that explains the purpose of the link, rather than generic text like "click here" or "read more."

HTML
<a href="about.html">Learn more about our company</a>

Ensure Sufficient Color Contrast​

Ensure that the color contrast between text and background is sufficient for users with visual impairments. You can use online tools like WebAIM's Color Contrast Checker to verify your color choices.

CSS
body {
  color: #333;
  background-color: #fff;
}

Conclusion​

By following these best practices, you can create accessible web pages that are inclusive and user-friendly for all visitors.