Designing Accessible and Inclusive Interfaces

Use semantic structure, keyboard access, contrast and clear feedback from the beginning.

What you will learn

• Design for keyboard and assistive technology
• Provide alternatives and sufficient contrast
• Create visible focus and understandable states

Before you begin

Create a separate practice folder and use non-sensitive sample content. Keep backup copies before restructuring files. Browser interfaces vary, so use the browser developer tools available on your computer.

Use native semantics

Use buttons for actions, links for navigation and labelled form controls for input. Native elements provide useful keyboard and accessibility behaviour.

Landmarks and headings let visitors understand and navigate page structure. Use ARIA only when native HTML cannot express the required meaning.

Make content perceivable

Provide text alternatives for meaningful images and captions or transcripts for essential media. Do not communicate information using colour alone.

Use sufficient contrast and readable text. Content should remain understandable when zoomed and should not disappear only because a visitor changes presentation settings.

Support interaction

All controls must work with a keyboard and have a clearly visible focus indicator. Error messages should identify the problem and explain how to fix it.

Test with Tab, Shift Tab, Enter and Space. Automated checks help, but manual keyboard and content review remain necessary.

Guided practice

1. Navigate the practice site without a mouse.
2. Check heading order, image alternatives and form labels.
3. Use a contrast checker and improve one weak combination.

Knowledge check

1. When should a button be used instead of a link?
2. Why should colour not convey meaning alone?
3. Does an automated checker replace manual review?

Completion standard

Continue when you can complete the guided practice and explain the knowledge-check answers in your own words.