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  • National Disability Authority
  1. Home
  2. Communications & Digital
  3. Web and Mobile Accessibility
  4. Web Accessibility Techniques
  5. Developer's Introduction and Index
  6. Code according to best practices

Code according to best practices

Consistency is one of the most important principles behind good interactive design and accessible content. To achieve consistency in behaviour and predictability, code your site to existing standards and conventions.

Remember, “Users spend most of their time on other sites.” (Jakob Nielsen). Users want your site to work the same way as other sites that they are familiar with.

  • In this section
  • References for this section
  • Videos
  • Further reading

Web Accessibility Techniques

  • Design accessible digital content - introduction and index
  • Content Provider's Introduction and Index
  • Developer's Introduction and Index

    • Provide an accessible page structure and layout
    • Design accessible navigation
    • Ensure images, video and audio are accessible to everyone
    • Keep tables and data representation simple
    • Provide accessible forms
    • Ensure Custom Widgets are accessible
    • Code according to best practices

      • Use structural and semantic markup properly and validate code
      • Aim for maximum consistency
      • Convey information so everyone can understand it
      • Use JavaScript to support accessibility
      • Prioritise information, maximise readability and scanning
    • Use ARIA appropriately
    • Always test your site with users who have access needs

In this section

  • Use structural and semantic markup properly and validate code
  • Aim for maximum consistency
  • Convey information so everyone can understand it
  • Use JavaScript wisely
  • Prioritise information, maximise readability and scanning

References for this section

WCAG 2.1

  • 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (A)
  • 1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics (A)
  • 1.4.1 Use of Colour (A)
  • 2.4.6 Headings and Labels (AA)
  • 2.5.6 Concurrent Input Mechanisms (AAA)
  • 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation (AA)
  • 3.2.4 Consistent Identification (AA)
  • 4.1.1 Parsing (A)
  • 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value (A)

EN 301 549 v 2.1.2

  • 9.1.3.1 Info and Relationships
  • 9.1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics
  • 9.1.4.1 Use of Colour
  • 9.2.4.6 Headings and Labels
  • 9.3.2.3 Consistent Navigation
  • 9.3.2.4 Consistent Identification
  • 9.4.1.1 Parsing
  • 9.4.1.2 Name, Role, Value

Videos

  • W3C Perspectives - Keyboard
  • Low Vision: Challenging Assumptions and Understanding Differences - W3C Digital Accessibility Foundations
  • Evaluating Web Accessibility - W3C Resources Overview
  • Accessibility for People with Cognitive Disabilities, Low Literacy, Low Proficiency - W3C
  • Just use button - A11ycasts #05

Further reading

  • W3Docs - List of Deprecated HTML Attributes
  • W3Docs - List of Deprecated HTML Tags
  • Why Consistency is Important to Accessible Design
  • Accessibility according to actual people with disabilities
  • Accessibility testing as a screen reader user - TPGi
  • Accessibility according to actual people with disabilities - Axess Lab
  • W3C - Pointer Events Example
  • Is Infinite Scrolling Accessible? - Bureau of Internet Accessibility
  • About Universal Design
  • Definition and Overview of Universal Design (UD)
  • History of Universal Design
  • Benefits and Drivers
  • Policy and Legislation
  • Standards
  • Universal Design of Products and Services
  • Universal Design Approach
  • Awards
  • The 7 Principles
  • News & Events
  • Overview of Built Environment
  • eLearning Module - Buildings for Everyone: Central Bank of Ireland
  • Building for Everyone
  • Housing
  • Early Learning and Care Settings
  • Residential Long Term Care Settings for Older People
  • Walkability Auditing
  • Shared Space
  • Shared Educational Campuses
  • Universal Design Guidelines for Changing Places Toilets
  • Built Environment CPD
  • Overview of Communications & Digital
  • Web and Mobile Accessibility
  • ICT Research and Guidelines (Archived content)
  • Customer Communications Toolkit for Services to the Public - A Universal Design Approach
  • European Accessibility Act
  • Overview of Education
  • Primary Level Education
  • Secondary Level Education
  • Third Level Education
  • Continuous Professional Development
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