It’s the thoughtful approach to writing your web code so every single person, regardless of ability, can easily read, navigate, and interact with your site.
What is HTML Accessibility?
Semantic HTML: The Heart of Accessibility
ARIA: When Plain HTML Isn’t Enough
Best Practices for HTML Accessibility
Use Semantic HTML Elements
If it's a button, use <button>. If it's a navigation area, wrap it in <nav>. These help assistive tools understand roles automatically.
Include the HTML Lang Attribute
Add lang=" en" (or your appropriate language code) to the <html> tag. This helps screen readers pronounce the words correctly.
Use Headings in Order
Start with <h1> for the main title, then <h2>, <h3>, and so on. That creates a clear structure, like chapters in a book. Click here to learn how to structure headings.
Use Descriptive Link Text
Instead of "Learn more," try "Learn more about HTML accessibility." That tells users exactly what to expect.
Write Effective Alt Text
Every informative image, like charts, photos, and diagrams, needs alt text. It should describe what the image shows or why it's there. Get alt text tips here.
Keep Language Clear and Concise
Use plain words, short sentences, and brief paragraphs. That helps lots of people, including non-native speakers, understand your content faster.
Create Accessible Forms
Always pair <label> with input fields. Offer clear hints and feedback as users fill them out. Here's a useful, Accessible PDF forms guide.
Accessibility Tags in HTML: What You Should Use?
<audio> & <video> - Adds Captions or Transcripts
Multimedia content can be a barrier to users with hearing or visual impairments. Always provide:
- Captions for videos (for deaf/hard-of-hearing users).
- Transcripts for both audio and video (helpful for screen readers and search indexing).
<label> - Links Text to Form Fields for Screen Readers
Using <label> ensures that screen readers read out what a form field is for. When connected properly using the attribute (which matches the id of the input), it improves usability for:
- Screen reader users
- Users with motor disabilities
Example:
<label for="email">Email Address</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email">
alt on <IMG> - Describes What the Image is About
The alt attribute provides alternative text for images, which is read aloud by screen readers. It helps visually impaired users understand the purpose or content of an image.
- Decorative images can have empty alt="" to be skipped by screen readers.
<caption> in tables - Gives Context to Data
A <caption> is the title of a table. It explains the purpose of the data to both sighted users and screen reader users, providing important context.
Example -
<table>
<caption>Monthly Sales Report</caption>
...
</table>
tabindex - Makes Custom Elements Keyboard-Accessible
The tabindex attribute allows elements to be focused using the keyboard (usually the Tab key). This is vital for users who rely on keyboard navigation:
- tabindex="0": includes the element in the tab order.
- tabindex="-1": allows the element to be focused programmatically but not tabbed.
<nav> - Marks Navigation Sections
The <nav> tag semantically identifies groups of navigation links. Screen readers can skip directly to these regions, improving efficiency.
<fieldset> & <legend> - Group Form Inputs With Context
Used together in forms, they:
- <fieldset>: groups-related inputs (like personal details or payment info).
- <legend>: provides a description for that group. This structure helps users understand the form layout and purpose.
Example -
<fieldset>
<legend>Billing Information</legend>
...
</fieldset>
<abbr> - Helps Explain Abbreviations
The <abbr> tag allows you to define abbreviations, which screen readers can announce fully if you include the title attribute.
Example -
<abbr title="World Health Organization">WHO</abbr>
<table>, <th>, <tr>, <td> - Structure Data Clearly
Using proper table markup:
- <th> for headers (not just styling bold with <td>)
- Associate data cells with their headers. This enables screen readers to interpret and navigate data tables correctly.
lang attribute - Signals the Language of Content
Setting the lang attribute on the <html> tag or specific elements helps screen readers pronounce words correctly.
<html lang="en">
This is especially important for multilingual content.
ARIA Labels and Roles - Enhances Dynamic or Custom Parts
ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes improve accessibility for dynamic content that standard HTML can't fully express. Examples:
- aria-label, aria-labelledby, aria-hidden, role="dialog" etc.
- Useful for custom components (like modals or sliders) where native elements aren't used.
Note: ARIA should enhance, not replace, semantic HTML.
<figure> & <figcaption> - Pair Images With Captions
Used for images, charts, or diagrams with captions:
- <figure> wraps the media content
- <figcaption> describes it
This pairing is semantically clear and screen reader-friendly.
Example -
<figure>
<IMG src="graph.png" alt="Sales graph">
<figcaption>Figure 1: Monthly sales performance.</figcaption>
</figure>
Role Attribute - Explains the Purpose of Elements Like Buttons
The role attribute helps define the function of an element, especially when creating custom components that don't use native HTML elements.
For example:
<div role="button" tabindex="0">Click Me</div>
But again, use native elements like <button> whenever possible for better accessibility.
Headings (<h1>-<h6>) - Define Page Structure
Heading tags provide a content hierarchy and help screen reader users scan through sections quickly. Good practices include:
- Only one <h1> per page
- Use headings in order (don't skip levels)
- Use them to structure content, not for styling
<button> - Gives You Built-in Interactive Behavior
Unlike <div> or <span>, the <button> element is inherently accessible:
- It's focusable
- It can be activated via the keyboard
- Screen readers announce it as a button. It also supports ARIA and type attributes (submit, reset, etc.)
How Continual Engine Supports HTML Accessibility
- Perform audits to find missing or misused tags
- Fix up semantic HTML structure and apply aria HTML accessibility where needed
- Improve alt text, link descriptions, and labeling
- Set up accessible forms and keyboard navigation
- Offer ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance with WCAG standards
