Beyond ARIA Compliance: The UX Secrets of Truly Accessible Web Design

When discussing web accessibility as a web development professional, we often picture the essentials: adding ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles, writing alt text for images, and ensuring smooth keyboard navigation. 

But picture this: accessibility features for websites isn’t just a checklist; it’s more like an iceberg. ARIA might be the visible tip of that iceberg, but beneath the surface lies a deep world of hidden techniques that turn a site from simply “accessible” to downright enjoyable.

Think of these techniques as the little tricks that make a website feel intuitively usable, even magical, for everyone who visits it. 

We at Mavlers have 15+ years of experience in developing 9K+ websites globally.

Compiled by our in-house web development expert Rahul Kumar, this guide explores those often-overlooked accessibility tweaks—practical, impactful changes that go beyond the basics to create an inclusive experience. 

Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just curious about accessibility features for websites, this is your guide to the small but mighty wins that make accessibility a delight for all.

1. Focus control: Keeping users right where they need to be

Ever tried focusing on a conversation only to be interrupted? That’s the digital experience for users when popups, modals, and endless scrolling create focus chaos. When the on-screen focus isn’t thoughtfully managed, it can disorient users, especially those relying on keyboards or screen readers.

Focus wins:

• Focus trap: Imagine opening a popup and not being able to focus anywhere else until it’s closed. This is a focus trap—a handy tool that keeps users’ attention locked within the popup until they’re ready to move on. JavaScript libraries like focus-trap can help.

const modal = document.getElementById(‘myModal’);

modal.focus();

• Return focus: After a popup closes, return the focus to where it was before to avoid losing the user. Think of it as a digital bookmark, saving their place in the experience.

2. Contrast that feels good, not just looks good

High contrast can feel harsh, but the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) set basic standards for legibility. Let’s make sure colors don’t just pop but feel visually comfortable.

Contrast tips:

• Beyond ratios: Colors aren’t just numbers—they convey emotions. Darker shades can reduce strain, while too much brightness can over-stimulate. Go beyond the standards, and think about the impact on cognitive ease.

• Spacing matters: Bold letters and cramped spacing create a battlefield for the eyes. Increase line height, soften font weights, and allow space between letters to let readers feel relieved rather than challenged.

p {
   font-weight: 400;
   letter-spacing: 0.05em;
   line-height: 1.6;
}

3. Custom forms: Making sure fancy forms aren’t frustrating

Beautifully designed forms make a site look sleek, but let’s ensure that custom forms don’t confuse assistive technology or keyboard-only users.

Form solutions:

• Keyboard navigation: Tab order matters. Using tabindex, ensure custom forms flow naturally as users tab through.

• Screen reader labels: Connect each input field to its label so screen readers can announce them properly. It’s like a sign on a door, making sure everyone knows where to go.

<label for="customInput">Custom Input</label>

<input type="text" id="customInput" aria-label="Custom Input">

4. Motion settings for motion sensitivity

Animations can add flair, but for some, they can also trigger motion sickness or migraines. A thoughtful site respects these user needs.

Reduced motion magic:

• Respect user settings with the prefers-reduced-motion media query, toning down any non-essential animations for those who’ve opted out.

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {

   * {

      animation-duration: 0.01ms !important;

      transition-duration: 0.01ms !important;

   }

}

This way, animations can still dazzle, but we’re keeping it cool for those who need a gentler experience.

5. Hidden elements done right

Hiding content is trickier than it sounds. How it’s hidden determines whether it’s accessible to screen readers or totally off the grid.

Hidden content tips:

• display: none; fully hides content from sight and screen readers alike.
• visibility: hidden; leaves content invisible but in the document, which can sometimes confuse screen readers.
• Off-screen placement: For elements that should only be read by screen readers, try moving them off-screen with negative margins.

When in doubt, aria-hidden=”true” is your best friend. It hides elements from screen readers while leaving them visible to others.

6. SPAs and semantic HTML: Making sure single pages don’t single out

Single Page Applications (SPAs) often skip semantic HTML in favor of flashy frameworks. Yet a good old <header>, <nav>, or <main> can do wonders for accessibility, providing structured landmarks for assistive technology to follow.

SPA tips:

• Use semantic tags even in your frameworks. They’re not just for SEO; they help guide users who rely on screen readers.

• Custom buttons? Make sure they act like buttons with appropriate roles.

<button role=”button” aria-pressed=”false”>Click Me</button>

7. Designing for voice: Accessibility for a hands-free world

As voice commands become mainstream, designing for voice interaction ensures your site’s accessibility into the future.

Voice accessibility wins:

• Add schema.org structured data so that voice assistants can interpret content more accurately.

• Simple, descriptive labels are key. Users might say “Open menu” rather than “Click on the hamburger icon,” so keep labels intuitive.

8. Typography and layout: Readability for all

Font choices and reading patterns directly affect accessibility. Ever tried reading tiny text in an illegible font? Not fun.

Typographic choices:

• Dyslexia-friendly fonts like OpenDyslexic or Atkinson Hyperlegible offer high readability.

• Keep line lengths short and line height spacious for easy reading.

body {

   font-family: "Atkinson Hyperlegible", sans-serif;

   line-height: 1.8;

}

You can also test readability with tools like Hemingway to ensure your content is approachable for all.

The road ahead 

Web accessibility is more than ticking boxes on a checklist. It’s about creating a digital world where everyone feels included and empowered. By going beyond ARIA and focusing on these subtle UX wins, you’re crafting a site that’s not only accessible but also enjoyable for all users.

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