Building Accessible React Components
A deep dive into creating React components that work for everyone, including keyboard navigation and screen reader support.
Introduction
Accessibility isn't just a nice-to-have—it's essential for creating inclusive web experiences. In this post, I'll share some patterns I've learned for building accessible React components.
Why Accessibility Matters
When we build accessible applications, we're not just helping users with disabilities. We're creating better experiences for everyone. Accessible components are often more keyboard-friendly, work better with assistive technologies, and follow semantic HTML patterns that improve SEO.
Key Principles
1. Semantic HTML
Always start with the right HTML element. A <button> is better than a <div onClick> because it comes with built-in keyboard handling and accessibility features.
// ❌ Avoid this
<div onClick={handleClick}>Click me</div>
// ✅ Do this instead
<button onClick={handleClick}>Click me</button>2. ARIA Labels
When visual context isn't enough, use ARIA labels to provide additional information to screen readers.
<button aria-label="Close dialog">
<XIcon />
</button>3. Focus Management
Ensure users can navigate your application using only a keyboard. This includes visible focus indicators and logical tab order.
Conclusion
Building accessible components takes practice, but it's worth the investment. Start with semantic HTML, add ARIA attributes where needed, and always test with a keyboard and screen reader.