Practical accessibility, explained plainly
I’m Rehan Usmani, an accessibility consultant and DHS Section 508 Trusted Tester. I write about WCAG, EN 301 549 and inclusive design for the designers, developers and testers who build the web, with real techniques you can use on your next project.
What you’ll find here
Design & Development
Practical patterns for accessible forms, keyboard support, ARIA, colour and components.
Accessibility Testing
How to find real barriers with screen readers, keyboards and the right tools.
Compliance & Law
The EAA, ADA, Section 508, EN 301 549 and VPATs, explained in plain language.
New to accessibility? Start here
Four guides that cover the foundations, in the order I recommend reading them.
- What Is Digital Accessibility?
Who it serves, the laws, WCAG and POUR, and a 20-minute test. - Keyboard Accessibility and Focus Management
The foundation everything else depends on. - Accessible Forms
Labels, errors and validation that work for everyone. - Screen Reader Testing for Beginners
Find the problems automated tools miss.
Latest posts
- How to Build an Accessible Modal Dialog (with the Native dialog Element)
Modals are one of the most commonly broken components on the web. A tested pattern using the native dialog element, what each line does, and how to test it with a keyboard and screen reader. - How to Write Alt Text: A Practical Decision Guide with Real ExamplesGood alt text isn’t a description of pixels. It’s the information the image gives a sighted reader. A simple decision process, examples for every image type, and the mistakes to avoid.
- Colour Contrast for Accessibility: The Complete Guide (WCAG 1.4.3, 1.4.6 and 1.4.11)Low contrast is the most common accessibility failure on the web. The ratios that matter, what counts as large text and UI components, common traps and how to fix them without losing your brand.
- Accessible Forms: Labels, Errors and Validation That Work for Everyone (WCAG 2.2)Forms are where accessibility failures cost real money. Labels, instructions, grouping, error handling and validation timing, with copy-ready HTML and a testing checklist.
- The First Rule of ARIA: 10 Common ARIA Mistakes and How to Fix ThemARIA is powerful, and misused ARIA is one of the most common causes of screen reader failures. The five rules of ARIA use, ten real-world mistakes, and how to fix each one.
- Keyboard Accessibility and Focus Management: A Developer’s Guide (WCAG 2.2)If it can’t be done with a keyboard, many people can’t do it at all. Native elements, logical focus order, visible focus, WCAG 2.2’s Focus Not Obscured, and how to manage focus when content changes.
Get new posts by email
One email when a new post is published. No spam, and you can unsubscribe anytime.