Accessibility learning path for beginners

We're delighted to introduce our new "Introduction to web accessibility" learning path, specifically designed to help beginners create more inclusive web experiences. This path covers the foundational concepts you need to know to start your journey in web accessibility.

Accessibility topics for beginners

Accessibility is a large topic, so we've distilled what we feel are the most essential subjects for developers new to the area. Our goal with this path is to help you identify critical topics, and then we offer links to trusted resources you can use to dive deeper into the various concepts. Just like a mentor might do.

Here are the topics we cover in our article steps:

• Why web accessibility matters: Understanding how to build accessible interfaces is a key skill for any web developer. In this article, we outline the benefits of creating accessible websites.
• Understanding disabilities and assistive technologies: Your website visitors will interact with your content in different ways. As a developer, it's important to understand the diverse range of disabilities and assistive technologies people may use.
• WCAG and key accessibility principles: The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) will help you create accessible websites. In this article, we introduce WCAG and the principles that form their foundation.
• Common accessibility best practices: It's always good to get the basics right. In this article, we outline some common accessibility best practices and provide code examples outlining common pitfalls and how to address them.
• Testing and evaluating web accessibility: Different strategies exist for testing and evaluating web accessibility. This article introduces techniques, tools, and checklists to help you integrate testing into your workflow.
• Building accessible forms: Creating inaccessible forms introduces significant barriers for users with disabilities. In this article, we look at some key considerations for building accessible forms everyone can use.
• WAI-ARIA basics: WAI-ARIA exists to help enhance HTML and improve accessibility. However, it's essential to be mindful when using it. This article introduces WAI-ARIA and outlines common uses and pitfalls.
• Implementing accessibility: Accessibility is an ongoing process that covers different development stages. In this article, we look at how to implement accessibility in design, development workflows, testing, and beyond.

Practice building accessible projects

As you go through this path, we include challenges to help you put what you learn into practice. The challenges gradually increase project complexity and include accessibility considerations in the UI design. It's your job to take what you know and make your projects as accessible as possible. By the end of the path, you'll have a solid foundation for creating and testing accessible web projects.

We include links to many resources throughout the path so that you're learning about accessibility from different sources. As with any skill, it helps to learn concepts from different places to help gain a well-rounded perspective.

If you ever get stuck on the path, please feel free to ask questions in our Discord community.

We hope you enjoy this path and gain a solid understanding of web accessibility. Keep practicing, and happy coding!