Accessibility = software usable by people with disabilities. Often legally required (Section 508 US, EAA EU).
Standards:
- WCAG 2.1 AA (most common).
- WCAG 2.2 AAA (highest).
- Section 508 (US federal).
Test areas:
- Keyboard navigation: all features accessible without mouse.
- Screen reader: VoiceOver, NVDA, JAWS announce content correctly.
- Color contrast: text legible.
- Focus indicators: visible when tabbing.
- Alt text: images described.
- ARIA labels: dynamic content labeled.
- Form labels: every input labeled.
Tools:
- axe DevTools — browser extension.
- WAVE — accessibility checker.
- Lighthouse — Chrome built-in.
- Cypress + axe-core — automated.
- Manual: real users with assistive tech.
Salesforce specific:
- Lightning components built on accessible primitives.
- Custom components must follow WCAG.
- Lightning Design System components are accessible by default.
Common pitfalls:
- Skipping accessibility — legal risk.
- Custom components inaccessible.
- Color-only conveying information.
- No keyboard support.
Senior insight: accessibility is good design. Helps everyone, mandatory for some.