What is web accessibility?
Web accessibility enables people with different abilities and needs to perceive, understand and use web content. It matters for people with visual, hearing, motor or cognitive differences, as well as those with temporary injuries or difficult device-use conditions.
Foundations of an accessible interface
Meaningful HTML, logical headings and clear form labels help assistive technologies interpret a page. Buttons should work with a keyboard as well as a mouse, with visible focus indicators. Information should not rely on color alone: an invalid field needs an explanation as well as a red highlight. Alternative text depends on an image's function; lengthy descriptions of decorative images can create unnecessary noise. Captions for video and suitable text equivalents for audio improve access. Enlarging text should not hide content or push essential controls out of reach. These practices belong in the core design, rather than a separate view added only for disabled users.
Evaluation and continuous improvement
Automated tools can detect some contrast, labeling and structural errors, but cannot prove that a task is understandable and completable. Keyboard testing, screen reader checks and real user feedback are necessary. A payment form, for example, must do more than show an error: users need to understand the affected field and how to fix it. Accessibility is not a one-time check at the end of development. New components and content should follow the same principles. Standards provide an evaluation framework, but focusing only on a score can hide practical problems. Success means people can complete tasks independently and reliably.