Accessibility Checklist
Overview
Use this checklist to catch common accessibility gaps before shipping.
Why It Matters
Accessibility problems are easy to miss unless you check them intentionally.
Core Concepts
- Keyboard first.
- Semantic elements first.
- Visible focus and understandable labels.
Mental Models
If the interface cannot be used without a mouse or with low vision, it is not complete.
Best Practices
- Test tab order.
- Check labels and names.
- Verify contrast and focus states.
Common Mistakes
- Hiding focus.
- Missing alt text or labels.
- Encoding meaning only in color.
Trade-offs
Accessibility checks add a little time, but they prevent usability failures that are expensive to repair later.
Decision Framework
| Check | Pass |
|---|---|
| Keyboard | All controls reachable |
| Labels | All inputs named |
| Focus | Visible and logical |
Examples
- Use a native button instead of a clickable div.
Checklists
- Can I use it with only the keyboard?
- Are labels and names correct?
- Is focus visible?
Senior Engineer Notes
Senior engineers treat accessibility as baseline quality, not a bonus feature.