Failing to meet accessibility standards can lead to poor user experiences, lost revenue opportunities, and even legal consequences. That’s why having a detailed accessibility checklist is critical for delivering quality digital experiences.
Let’s explore the five must-have features you should include in your HTML accessibility checklist to ensure your website is usable for everyone.
1. Semantic HTML Elements for Structure and Meaning
One of the cornerstones of HTML accessibility is semantic markup. Semantic HTML uses elements that clearly describe their meaning in a human- and machine-readable way. Tags like <header>, <nav>, <main>, <section>, <article>, and <footer> help assistive technologies understand the layout and hierarchy of a page.
Why It Matters:
Screen readers and other assistive tools rely on these semantic tags to interpret content properly. Without semantic HTML, the structure becomes confusing for visually impaired users.
Best Practice Tips:
Avoid generic containers like <div> and <span> unless necessary.
Use headings (<h1> to <h6>) to define content hierarchy.
Nest elements logically to reflect the reading order.
For agencies and developers working in a website development company, adopting semantic HTML not only improves accessibility but also enhances SEO and content maintainability.
2. Alternative Text for Images
Every non-text element on your site must be accessible, and images are no exception. Providing alt text for images is a vital part of HTML accessibility. This text acts as a descriptive substitute for screen readers, enabling users who can’t see the image to understand its context.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Leaving alt attributes blank (unless the image is decorative).
Writing vague descriptions like "image1.jpg".
Keyword stuffing in alt attributes for SEO.
What to Do Instead:
Write concise, meaningful descriptions.
Skip alt text only for purely decorative images using alt="".
For a website development company, image accessibility is one of the quickest ways to improve inclusivity across all projects. It also plays a role in boosting search engine rankings by helping bots understand image content.
3. Keyboard Navigability
Not all users rely on a mouse to browse the web. Some use only a keyboard, while others depend on assistive technologies that mimic keyboard actions. Ensuring your website can be fully navigated with keyboard commands is essential for compliance and user satisfaction.
Checklist Essentials:
Make sure users can access all interactive elements using the Tab, Shift+Tab, Enter, and Space keys.
Focus indicators should be clearly visible (e.g., a border or background change when tabbing through elements).
Avoid keyboard traps, where users cannot move focus away from a component.
A website development company with expertise in accessible design always tests pages for full keyboard operability—this builds trust and credibility with clients and end-users alike.
4. Accessible Forms and Labels
Forms are an integral part of any website, whether for signups, contact, or checkout. But they can become accessibility bottlenecks if not structured correctly. Screen reader users, for instance, rely on labels, placeholders, and error messages to complete forms confidently.
Key Accessibility Features:
Use <label> tags linked to their respective <input> fields using the for attribute.
Ensure logical tab order of form elements.
Display descriptive error messages and success confirmations.
Use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes only when standard HTML elements don’t suffice.
Accessible forms improve usability for all users—not just those with disabilities—and reflect the attention to detail a professional website development company brings to every project.
5. ARIA Landmarks and Roles (When Necessary)
ARIA roles are powerful tools that help bridge the gap when semantic HTML elements aren’t enough. However, they should be used sparingly and correctly, as improper use can hinder more than help.
Examples of Effective Use:
role="banner", role="navigation", role="main" to define page regions.
aria-label or aria-labelledby to provide additional context.
aria-live to inform users of real-time updates (e.g., form errors, chat messages).
While semantic HTML should always come first, ARIA can fill the gaps where native tags fall short. Developers skilled in HTML accessibility understand when to use ARIA thoughtfully, avoiding redundancy or misuse.
The Importance of Testing for Accessibility
Including all these features in your checklist is crucial, but testing is what ensures they work as expected. Manual testing with screen readers (like NVDA or VoiceOver), keyboard-only navigation, and color contrast checks are a great start. Complement these with automated tools like:
WAVE
AXE
Lighthouse (Chrome DevTools)
Pa11y
Make testing an ongoing part of your website development lifecycle, not just a one-time step.
Why HTML Accessibility Matters More Than Ever
Accessibility is no longer an afterthought—it’s a requirement. An accessible site means you’re serving a broader audience, improving search engine visibility, enhancing user satisfaction, and reducing legal risks.
Benefits at a Glance:
Wider audience reach (including users with disabilities)
Better user experience for everyone
Positive brand reputation
Improved SEO through semantic structure
Compliance with global accessibility laws (e.g., WCAG, ADA)
For a leading website development company, delivering accessible websites isn’t optional—it’s part of the core value offering. Prioritizing HTML accessibility showcases technical expertise, empathy, and a commitment to inclusive design.
Final Thoughts: Build with Accessibility in Mind
Incorporating these five essential features into your HTML accessibility checklist ensures your website is inclusive, user-friendly, and legally compliant. Accessibility should be considered at the start of every project—not bolted on at the end. By focusing on semantic HTML, keyboard operability, ARIA landmarks, accessible forms, and descriptive image alt text, you’re building a site that serves everyone.
Whether you're a solo developer or part of a website development company, championing accessibility is more than just best practice—it’s ethical, professional, and smart.