Online interactive elements play an important role at enhancing user experience. Examples include:
- buttons
- forms
- sliders
- pop ups.
As websites become more interactive and dynamic, it's essential to prioritise accessibility to ensure that all users, including those with disabilities, can interact with the content.
Provide descriptive labels for interactive elements
All interactive elements need to have clear and descriptive labels.
Labels are essential for users relying on screen readers or assistive technologies. This is because they help to understand the purpose and function of each element accurately.
Ensure keyboard accessibility
Allow users to interact with all elements using only the keyboard.
Test your website's interactive elements by navigating through them using the "tab" key. Focus indicators should be visible and styled, allowing for keyboard navigation.
Colour contrast
Choose colour combinations that offer sufficient contrast between interactive elements and their backgrounds. Users with low vision or colour blindness can then easily identify and interact with the elements.
Check your colour contrast ratio.
Make videos and audio content accessible
If your interactive elements include video or audio content, provide closed captions and transcripts. This means that users:
- who are deaf or hard of hearing can understand the content
- in noisy environments can follow along.
Consider focus management
Ensure that interactive elements receive focus in a logical order.
Proper focus management helps users to predict the element they will interact with next, promoting a smooth and intuitive user experience.
Optimise for mobile and touch devices
Make your interactive elements touch-friendly and responsive to different screen sizes.
You should consider the accessibility of gestures and make sure that all users can interact effortlessly on touch devices.