Nugsoft Developer Guides

Accessibility in React 19

Accessibility (a11y) is crucial for building inclusive React applications. React 19 supports modern web standards and provides tools for accessible UI development.

Key Principles

  • Use semantic HTML elements (e.g.,
  • Add ARIA attributes only when necessary; prefer native HTML semantics.
  • Ensure keyboard navigation for all interactive elements.
  • Provide sufficient color contrast and scalable font sizes.
  • Use accessible forms with labels, error messages, and fieldset/legend for groups.
  • Test with screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver) and keyboard-only navigation.

React-Specific Practices

  • Use accessible UI libraries (e.g., MUI, Chakra UI, Radix UI).
  • For custom components, ensure focus management and ARIA roles are correctly implemented.
  • Use React's useRef and useEffect for managing focus in modals/dialogs.
  • Announce dynamic content changes using ARIA live regions when needed.

Example: Accessible Button Component

function AccessibleButton({ label, onClick, children }) {
  return (
    <button aria-label={label} onClick={onClick}>
      {children}
    </button>
  );
}

Tools & Resources

Testing Accessibility

  • Use automated tools (axe, Lighthouse) for initial checks.
  • Manually test with screen readers and keyboard navigation.
  • Include accessibility checks in your CI pipeline.

Common Pitfalls

  • Missing labels on form fields.
  • Inaccessible custom components (e.g., dropdowns, modals).
  • Poor color contrast or small touch targets.

References

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