Vue Accessibility Blueprint: 8 Steps

Creating accessible Vue components is crucial for building inclusive web applications that can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities. This guide outlines 8 essential steps to improve the accessibility of your Vue projects and align them with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards.

Why Accessibility Matters

Implementing accessible design in Vue apps:

• Expands your potential user base
• Improves overall user experience
• Boosts SEO performance
• Reduces legal risks
• Demonstrates social responsibility

Now let’s explore the 8 key steps for building accessible Vue components:

1. Master Semantic HTML

Using proper HTML structure and semantics provides a solid foundation for assistive technologies. Key actions:

• Use appropriate heading levels (h1-h6)
• Implement ARIA attributes
• Ensure form inputs have associated labels

<header>
  <h1>Accessible Blog</h1>
  <nav aria-label="Main">
    <a href="#home">Home</a>
    <a href="#about">About</a>
  </nav>
</header>

<main>
  <article>
    <h2>Latest Post</h2>
    <p>Content goes here...</p>
  </article>

  <form>
    <label for="comment">Comment:</label>
    <textarea id="comment" name="comment"></textarea>
    <button type="submit">Post</button>
  </form>
</main>

Resource: Vue Accessibility Guide

2. Use eslint-plugin-vue-a11y

Integrate this ESLint plugin to catch accessibility issues early in development:

npm install eslint-plugin-vuejs-accessibility --save-dev

Benefits:

• Automated a11y checks
• Consistent code quality
• Less manual testing needed

Resource: eslint-plugin-vue-a11y GitHub

3. Test with Vue Testing Library

Adopt Vue Testing Library to write accessibility-focused tests:

import { render, screen } from '@testing-library/vue'
import MyComponent from './MyComponent.vue'

test('renders accessible button', () => {
  render(MyComponent)
  const button = screen.getByRole('button', { name: /submit/i })
  expect(button).toBeInTheDocument()
})

Resource: Vue Testing Library Documentation

4. Use Screen Readers

Regularly test your app with screen readers like NVDA, VoiceOver or JAWS to experience it as visually impaired users do.

5. Run Lighthouse Audits

Use Lighthouse in Chrome DevTools or CLI to get comprehensive accessibility assessments.

Resource: Google Lighthouse Documentation

6. Consult A11y Experts

Partner with accessibility specialists to gain deeper insights and recommendations.

7. Integrate A11y in Workflows

Make accessibility a core part of planning and development:

• Include a11y requirements in user stories
• Set a11y acceptance criteria
• Conduct team WCAG training

8. Automate Testing with Cypress

Use Cypress with axe-core for automated a11y testing:

describe('Home Page Accessibility', () => {
  beforeEach(() => {
    cy.visit('/')
    cy.injectAxe()
  })

  it('Has no detectable a11y violations', () => {
    cy.checkA11y()
  })
})

Resource: Cypress Accessibility Testing Guide

By following these 8 steps, you can significantly enhance the accessibility of your Vue applications and create more inclusive web experiences. Remember that accessibility is an ongoing process - continually learn, test, and strive to make your apps usable by everyone.