accessibility

---
name: accessibility
description: Accessibility patterns for WCAG 2.2 compliance, keyboard focus management, React Aria component patterns, cognitive inclusion, native HTML-first philosophy, and user preference honoring. Use when implementing screen reader support, keyboard navigation, ARIA patterns, focus traps, accessible component libraries, reduced motion, or cognitive accessibility.
license: MIT
---

# Accessibility

Comprehensive patterns for building accessible web applications: WCAG 2.2 AA compliance, keyboard focus management, React Aria component patterns, native HTML-first philosophy, cognitive inclusion, and user preference honoring. Each category has individual rule files in `rules/` loaded on-demand.

## Quick Reference

| Category | Rules | Impact | When to Use |
|----------|-------|--------|-------------|
| [WCAG Compliance](#wcag-compliance) | 3 | CRITICAL | Color contrast, semantic HTML, automated testing |
| [POUR Exit Criteria](#pour-exit-criteria) | 1 | CRITICAL | Falsifiable pass/fail thresholds for each WCAG 2.2 AA criterion |
| [Static Anti-Patterns](#static-anti-patterns) | 1 | HIGH | Grep-able patterns detectable without a browser |
| [Focus Management](#focus-management) | 1 | HIGH | Keyboard navigation; trap/restoration mechanics live upstream |
| [React Aria](#react-aria) | 2 | HIGH | Accessible components and form hooks; overlay APIs live upstream |
| [Modern Web Accessibility](#modern-web-accessibility) | 2 | CRITICAL/HIGH | Native HTML first, user preferences; cognitive ceilings in `references/ork-delta.md` |

**Total: 10 rules across 6 categories**

## Quick Start

```tsx
// Semantic HTML with ARIA
<main>
  <article>
    <header><h1>Page Title</h1></header>
    <section aria-labelledby="features-heading">
      <h2 id="features-heading">Features</h2>
    </section>
  </article>
</main>
```

```tsx
// Focus trap with React Aria
import { FocusScope } from 'react-aria';

<FocusScope contain restoreFocus autoFocus>
  <div role="dialog" aria-modal="true">
    {children}
  </div>
</FocusScope>
```

## WCAG Compliance

WCAG 2.2 AA implementation for inclusive, legally compliant web applications.

| Rule | File | Key Pattern |
|------|------|-------------|
| Color Contrast | `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/accessibility/rules/wcag-color-contrast.md` | 4.5:1 text, 3:1 UI components, focus indicators |
| Semantic HTML | `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/accessibility/rules/wcag-semantic-html.md` | Landmarks, headings, ARIA labels, form structure |
| Testing | `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/accessibility/rules/wcag-testing.md` | axe-core, Playwright a11y, screen reader testing |

## POUR Exit Criteria

Concrete pass/fail thresholds for each WCAG 2.2 AA criterion — replaces vague "meets requirements" checks.

| Rule | File | Key Pattern |
|------|------|-------------|
| POUR Exit Criteria | `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/accessibility/rules/pour-exit-criteria.md` | Falsifiable checklist: image alt, contrast ratios, focus indicators, touch targets, ARIA states |

## Static Anti-Patterns

Grep-able anti-patterns detectable via static analysis or code review — no browser needed.

| Rule | File | Key Pattern |
|------|------|-------------|
| A11y Anti-Patterns (Static) | `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/accessibility/rules/a11y-antipatterns-static.md` | Focus removal, missing labels, autoplay, icon-only buttons, div-click handlers |

## Focus Management

Keyboard focus management patterns for accessible interactive widgets.

| Rule | File | Key Pattern |
|------|------|-------------|
| Keyboard Navigation | `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/accessibility/rules/focus-keyboard-nav.md` | Roving tabindex, skip links, arrow keys |

Focus trap and restoration mechanics are upstream's job: use React Aria `<FocusScope contain restoreFocus autoFocus>` (see [Upstream coverage](#upstream-coverage-do-not-restate)). When React Aria is unavailable, copy `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/accessibility/scripts/focus-trap-template.tsx`; the house rules for both live in `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/accessibility/references/ork-delta.md`.

## React Aria

Adobe React Aria hooks for building WCAG-compliant interactive UI.

| Rule | File | Key Pattern |
|------|------|-------------|
| Components | `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/accessibility/rules/aria-components.md` | useButton, useDialog, useMenu, FocusScope |
| Forms | `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/accessibility/rules/aria-forms.md` | useComboBox, useTextField, useListBox |

Overlay hook APIs (useModalOverlay, useTooltip, usePopover) are documented upstream (see [Upstream coverage](#upstream-coverage-do-not-restate)); the house overlay recipe (FocusScope plus shared motion presets) is in `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/accessibility/references/ork-delta.md`.

## Modern Web Accessibility

2026 best practices: native HTML first, cognitive inclusion, and honoring user preferences.

| Rule | File | Key Pattern |
|------|------|-------------|
| Native HTML First | `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/accessibility/rules/wcag-native-html-first.md` | `<dialog>`, `<details>`, native over custom ARIA |
| User Preferences | `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/accessibility/rules/wcag-user-preferences.md` | prefers-reduced-motion, forced-colors, prefers-contrast, zoom |

Cognitive inclusion (ADHD/autism/dyslexia support) is covered upstream by W3C COGA (see [Upstream coverage](#upstream-coverage-do-not-restate)); the house cognitive-load ceilings (notification cap, nav-item cap, reading-level targets) are in `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/accessibility/references/ork-delta.md`.

## Key Decisions

| Decision | Recommendation |
|----------|----------------|
| Conformance level | WCAG 2.2 AA (legal standard: ADA, Section 508) |
| Contrast ratio | 4.5:1 normal text, 3:1 large text and UI components |
| Target size | 24px min (WCAG 2.5.8), 44px for touch |
| Focus indicator | 3px solid outline, 3:1 contrast |
| Component library | React Aria hooks for control, react-aria-components for speed |
| State management | react-stately hooks (designed for a11y) |
| Focus management | FocusScope for modals, roving tabindex for widgets |
| Testing | jest-axe (unit) + Playwright axe-core (E2E) |

## Anti-Patterns (FORBIDDEN)

- **Div soup**: Using `<div>` instead of semantic elements (`<nav>`, `<main>`, `<article>`)
- **Color-only information**: Status indicated only by color without icon/text
- **Missing labels**: Form inputs without associated `<label>` or `aria-label`
- **Keyboard traps**: Focus that cannot escape without Escape key
- **Removing focus outline**: `outline: none` without replacement indicator
- **Positive tabindex**: Using `tabindex > 0` (disrupts natural order)
- **Div with onClick**: Using `<div onClick>` instead of `<button>` or `useButton`
- **Manual focus in modals**: Using `useEffect` + `ref.focus()` instead of `FocusScope`
- **Auto-playing media**: Audio/video that plays without user action
- **ARIA overuse**: Using ARIA when semantic HTML suffices

## Upstream coverage (do not restate)

Vendor tutorials, API references, and criterion walkthroughs removed in the 2026-07-31 wrap-plus-delta thinning. Consult the first-party source; only the ork delta (floors, scars, house decisions) lives in `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/accessibility/references/ork-delta.md`.

| Topic | First-party source |
|-------|--------------------|
| WCAG 2.2 success-criterion walkthroughs and audit checklists | [WCAG 2.2 quick reference](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/quickref/) and [WCAG 2.2 spec](https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/) |
| ARIA widget patterns and keyboard interaction models | [WAI-ARIA Authoring Practices Guide](https://www.w3.org/WAI/ARIA/apg/) |
| React Aria hook APIs (useButton, useMenu, useComboBox, useModalOverlay, useTooltip, usePopover), component checklists, worked examples | [React Aria docs](https://react-spectrum.adobe.com/react-aria/) |
| Focus trap, focus restoration, roving tabindex, and skip-link algorithms | [React Aria FocusScope](https://react-spectrum.adobe.com/react-aria/FocusScope.html) and [APG patterns](https://www.w3.org/WAI/ARIA/apg/patterns/) |
| Cognitive accessibility guidance (COGA) | [W3C Making Content Usable](https://www.w3.org/TR/coga-usable/) |
| Screen reader testing walkthroughs (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, TalkBack) | [WebAIM screen reader testing](https://webaim.org/articles/screenreader_testing/) |

## Detailed Documentation

| Resource | Description |
|----------|-------------|
| `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/accessibility/scripts` | Templates: accessible form, focus trap, React Aria components |
| `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/accessibility/references/ork-delta.md` | Ork-specific floors, scars, and house decisions (cognitive ceilings, overlay recipe, canonical focus-trap selector) |
| `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/accessibility/references/ux-thresholds-quick.md` | UI/UX thresholds quick reference: contrast, touch targets, cognitive load, typography, forms |
| `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/accessibility/examples/wcag-examples.md` | Complete accessible form, modal, and navigation examples |

## Related Skills

- `ork:testing-e2e` - E2E testing patterns including accessibility testing
- `design-system-starter` - Accessible component library patterns
- `ork:i18n-date-patterns` - RTL layout and locale-aware formatting
- `motion-animation-patterns` - Reduced motion and animation accessibility