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When building H5 (HTML5) web applications, accessibility (a11y) isn’t an afterthought—it’s a foundational requirement for inclusivity. A well-designed accessible app ensures people using screen readers, keyboard navigation, or assistive technologies can use your product effectively. Here’s a practical, developer-focused accessibility checklist tailored for H5 applications.

1. Semantic HTML: Structure Matters

Using proper HTML elements conveys meaning and improves accessibility automatically.

<li>Use semantic elements like <header></header>, <nav></nav>, <main></main>, <section></section>, <article></article>, and <footer></footer> to define page structure. <li>Replace generic <div> and <code><span></span> with meaningful tags:
<li>Use <button></button> for buttons, not <div onclick="...">.<li>Use <code><a href="#"></a> for navigation, not fake links without href. <li>Use <h1></h1> to <h6></h6> in a logical, hierarchical order—don’t skip levels. <li>Ensure lists are marked up with <ul></ul>, <ol></ol>, and <li>.

Example: A navigation menu should be a <nav></nav> with an unordered list (<ul></ul>) of links—not a <div> with inline <code><span></span> elements.

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2. Keyboard Navigation & Focus Management

Many users rely on keyboards instead of mice. Make sure your app is fully operable without a pointer.

<li>All interactive elements (buttons, links, form controls) must be reachable via Tab. <li>Ensure focus order follows the visual flow of the page. <li>Never remove focus outlines with outline: none without providing a custom, visible alternative. <li>Use tabindex="0" to make custom widgets focusable; avoid tabindex > 0. <li>For modals and dialogs:
<li>Trap focus inside the modal. <li>Return focus to the triggering element when closed.

Pro tip: Test your app using only the Tab, Shift Tab, Enter, and Space keys.

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3. Screen Reader Compatibility with ARIA

ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) enhances accessibility when HTML isn’t enough—but use it wisely.

<li>Add aria-label or aria-labelledby when text is missing (e.g., icon buttons). <li>Use aria-describedby to provide extra context (e.g., error messages). <li>For dynamic content:
<li>Use aria-live="polite" for updates like form success messages. <li>Use role="alert" for urgent notifications.
<li>Avoid ARIA overuse. Prefer native HTML elements when possible.

Common mistake: Using role="button" on a

when a real <button></button> would work better.

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4. Form Accessibility: Clarity and Feedback

Forms are critical—and often poorly accessible. Make them easy to understand and use.

<li>Every <input> must have a corresponding <label></label> with for attribute (or nested inside the label). <li>Group related fields with <fieldset></fieldset> and describe the group using <legend></legend>. <li>Provide clear error messages:
<li>Associate errors with inputs using aria-describedby. <li>Display messages visibly and via screen reader.
<li>Use aria-required="true" for required fields (in addition to the required attribute).

Example: After a failed login, announce “Invalid email or password” via aria-live and highlight the field.

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5. Color and Contrast: Don’t Rely on Color Alone

Visual design impacts accessibility more than you think.

<li>Ensure text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 against its background (3:1 for large text). <li>Use tools like WebAIM Contrast Checker or browser DevTools to verify. <li>Never use color as the only way to convey information:
<li>Error messages should include an icon or text, not just red text. <li>Required fields should have an asterisk and text like “required”.

Note: Around 1 in 12 men have color vision deficiency—design accordingly.

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6. Responsive & Zoom-Friendly Design

Accessibility includes users who zoom in or use mobile devices.

<li>Ensure content is usable at 200% zoom without loss of functionality or clipping. <li>Use relative units (like em, rem, %) instead of fixed pixels for layout and text. <li>Support touch targets of at least 44x44px for mobile users.

Test on real devices: pinch-to-zoom should not break your layout.

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7. Multimedia & Alternative Text

Non-text content must have accessible alternatives.

<li>Add alt text to all meaningful images:
<li>Descriptive: <img alt="A red apple on a wooden table"> <li>Empty (alt="") for decorative images.
<li>Provide captions and transcripts for videos. <li>Offer audio descriptions for visual content in videos.

Exception: If an image is already described in nearby text, alt="" is acceptable.

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8. Dynamic Content & JavaScript Considerations

Modern H5 apps are dynamic—keep accessibility in mind when updating the DOM.

<li>When content changes (e.g., loading new data), notify screen readers using aria-live. <li>Update page titles dynamically for SPAs (Single Page Apps) using document.title. <li>Use client-side routing with proper focus management and ARIA roles (role="main", role="navigation"). <li>Avoid auto-refreshing or moving content without user consent.

Tip: Use the focus() method to move focus to new content (e.g., search results) after loading.

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9. Testing with Real Tools

Automated tools help, but real testing catches more issues.

<li> Automated tools:
<li>Lighthouse (in Chrome DevTools) <li>axe DevTools <li>WAVE (wave.webaim.org)
<li> Manual testing:
<li>Navigate using only a keyboard. <li>Use a screen reader (NVDA, VoiceOver, JAWS). <li>Try your app with CSS disabled.
<li>Include users with disabilities in usability testing when possible.

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Accessibility isn’t a one-time fix. It’s an ongoing practice. By integrating these points into your H5 development workflow—from design to deployment—you build apps that are not only compliant (e.g., with WCAG 2.1 AA) but genuinely inclusive.

Basically, if it’s usable by everyone, it’s better for everyone.