DEV Community

Cover image for 🌐 Accessibility in HTML: Best Practices
sagardoescoding
sagardoescoding

Posted on • Edited on

🌐 Accessibility in HTML: Best Practices

🚀 Getting Started with Accessible HTML

As part of my journey with @devsync , I’ve been diving deeper into the world of HTML—and one of the most eye-opening topics I’ve come across is accessibility.

Accessibility is not just about making things work; it’s about making the web usable for everyone, including people with disabilities.

💡 Why Accessibility Matters

  • 🌍 Over 1 billion people live with some form of disability.
  • ⚖️ Accessibility isn’t just ethical—it’s often required by law.
  • 💻 It improves usability for all users, not just those with disabilities.

🛠️ Best Practices for Accessible HTML

✅ 1. Use Semantic HTML Elements

Semantic elements give meaning to content and help screen readers navigate better.

<article>
  <h1>Blog Title</h1>
  <p>Blog content here...</p>
</article>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

✅ 2. Provide Text Alternatives (alt) for Images

Always describe images using the alt attribute so screen readers can interpret them.

<img src="" alt="Sagar smiling in front of a laptop">
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

✅ 3. Use Labels with Form Elements

Forms need labels to describe their input purpose clearly.

<label for="email">Email:</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email">
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

✅ 4. Headings Should Be Hierarchical

Organize your headings in a structured way: h1 → h2 → h3.

<h1>Main Title</h1>
<h2>Subsection</h2>
<h3>Sub-subsection</h3>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

✅ 5. Ensure Keyboard Navigation

Make sure all interactive elements can be accessed via keyboard.

❌ Avoid this:

<div onclick="submitForm()">Click me</div>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

✅ Do this:

<button onclick="submitForm()">Click me</button>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

✅ 6. Use ARIA When Necessary

ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes improve screen reader support for custom widgets—use them when semantic HTML isn’t enough.

<nav aria-label="Main navigation">
  <a href="/">Home</a>
  <a href="/about">About</a>
</nav>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

🎯 Bonus Accessibility Tools

Here are some tools to check your website’s accessibility:

👋 Final Thoughts

Accessibility isn't just a feature—it’s a responsibility. As developers, we have the power to create an internet that’s open and usable by all.

This is just the beginning of my learning journey with @devsync , and I already realize how small HTML changes can create a big impact.

🔁 Liked this post?

➡️ Follow me @sagardoescoding

💬 Let me know your favorite accessibility tips in the comments!

Top comments (0)