Learning path
Accessibility (a11y) learning path: everything to study, topic by topic
Comprehensive accessibility assessment covering disability models, WCAG standards, semantic HTML and ARIA, automated and manual testing, inclusive design, color contrast, media accessibility, and organizational accessibility strategy.
Short answer
To learn Accessibility (a11y), work through 6 modules and 22 topics in the order they build on each other. It starts with a11y Fundamentals, then moves on to WCAG Standards and Semantic HTML & ARIA. Use the map as a checklist, or measure your level and study only what is missing.
What you will study
Topics are grouped by module. Open one to see its objectives and key concepts.
1 · a11y Fundamentals4 topics
Disability Models
Medical vs social model of disability, types of disabilities (visual, auditory, motor, cognitive, speech), temporary vs permanent vs situational disabilities, person-first vs identity-first language
Objectives
- Distinguish between medical and social models of disability
- Identify how temporary, permanent, and situational disabilities affect users
Key concepts
- medical model of disability
- social model of disability
- visual disabilities
- auditory disabilities
- motor disabilities
- cognitive disabilities
- situational disabilities
- person-first language
Assistive Technologies
Screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver), screen magnifiers, switch devices, eye tracking, voice recognition software, braille displays, alternative input devices
Objectives
- Identify common assistive technologies and their target users
- Explain how screen readers interpret web content
Key concepts
- screen readers
- screen magnifiers
- switch devices
- eye tracking
- voice recognition
- braille displays
- alternative keyboards
- assistive technology interaction models
Legal Landscape
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), Section 508, EN 301 549, EAA (European Accessibility Act), AODA, accessibility lawsuits, compliance deadlines
Objectives
- Identify key accessibility laws and their jurisdictions
- Explain the business and legal risks of inaccessible products
Key concepts
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
- Section 508
- EN 301 549
- European Accessibility Act (EAA)
- AODA
- accessibility lawsuits
- compliance deadlines
- undue burden defense
Inclusive Design Principles
Universal design, progressive enhancement, curb cut effect, designing for edge cases, accessibility as a spectrum, inclusive user research
Objectives
- Apply inclusive design principles to product decisions
- Explain how designing for disability benefits all users
Key concepts
- universal design
- progressive enhancement
- curb cut effect
- designing for extremes
- accessibility spectrum
- inclusive user research
- one-size-fits-one approach
- ability-based design
2 · WCAG Standards4 topics
WCAG Perceivable
Text alternatives (1.1), time-based media (1.2), adaptable content (1.3), distinguishable content (1.4), alt text, captions, color contrast ratios
Objectives
- Write effective alt text for different image types
- Apply WCAG perceivable success criteria to web content
Key concepts
- text alternatives (1.1)
- time-based media alternatives (1.2)
- adaptable content (1.3)
- distinguishable content (1.4)
- alt text best practices
- captions and transcripts
- color contrast ratios
- content reflow
WCAG Operable
Keyboard accessibility (2.1), timing adjustable (2.2), seizures and flashing (2.3), navigable content (2.4), input modalities (2.5), focus management, skip links
Objectives
- Ensure all interactive elements are keyboard accessible
- Implement proper focus management and navigation
Key concepts
- keyboard accessibility (2.1)
- timing adjustable (2.2)
- seizures and flashing (2.3)
- navigable content (2.4)
- input modalities (2.5)
- focus management
- skip navigation links
- focus visible indicator
WCAG Understandable
Readable content (3.1), predictable behavior (3.2), input assistance (3.3), language declaration, consistent navigation, error identification, labels and instructions
Objectives
- Design predictable and consistent user interfaces
- Implement effective error handling and input assistance
Key concepts
- readable content (3.1)
- predictable behavior (3.2)
- input assistance (3.3)
- language declaration
- consistent navigation
- error identification
- labels and instructions
- error suggestion and prevention
WCAG Robust
Compatible content (4.1), valid HTML parsing, name-role-value, status messages, WCAG conformance levels (A, AA, AAA), WCAG 2.1 vs 2.2 differences
Objectives
- Ensure content compatibility with assistive technologies
- Distinguish between WCAG conformance levels and versions
Key concepts
- compatible content (4.1)
- valid HTML parsing
- name-role-value (4.1.2)
- status messages (4.1.3)
- WCAG conformance levels
- WCAG 2.1 additions
- WCAG 2.2 additions
- backward compatibility
3 · Semantic HTML & ARIA4 topics
Semantic HTML
Landmarks (header, nav, main, footer), heading hierarchy, lists, tables, semantic elements vs divs, document outline, sectioning content
Objectives
- Structure web pages using semantic HTML elements
- Create meaningful document outlines with proper heading hierarchy
Key concepts
- landmark elements
- heading hierarchy (h1-h6)
- semantic lists (ul, ol, dl)
- data tables vs layout tables
- sectioning content
- document outline
- figure and figcaption
- time and address elements
ARIA Fundamentals
ARIA roles, states, and properties; aria-label, aria-labelledby, aria-describedby, aria-hidden, aria-live regions, first rule of ARIA, role taxonomy
Objectives
- Apply ARIA attributes correctly following the first rule of ARIA
- Implement live regions for dynamic content announcements
Key concepts
- ARIA roles
- ARIA states and properties
- aria-label and aria-labelledby
- aria-describedby
- aria-hidden
- aria-live regions
- first rule of ARIA
- role taxonomy (landmark, widget, document)
ARIA Widget Patterns
WAI-ARIA Authoring Practices, tabs, accordions, dialogs, menus, tree views, combobox, grid, roving tabindex, focus trapping, keyboard interaction patterns
Objectives
- Implement complex ARIA widget patterns with proper keyboard interaction
- Apply WAI-ARIA Authoring Practices guidelines to custom components
Key concepts
- WAI-ARIA Authoring Practices
- tab pattern
- accordion pattern
- dialog/modal pattern
- menu pattern
- tree view pattern
- roving tabindex
- focus trapping
Accessible Forms & Validation
Label association, fieldset/legend, error messages, required fields, inline validation, aria-invalid, aria-errormessage, accessible autocomplete
Objectives
- Build accessible forms with proper labeling and error handling
- Implement inline validation that works with assistive technologies
Key concepts
- label association (for/id)
- fieldset and legend
- error message association
- required field indication
- inline validation
- aria-invalid
- aria-errormessage
- accessible autocomplete
4 · Testing & Auditing4 topics
Manual Accessibility Testing
Keyboard-only navigation testing, zoom and reflow testing, color contrast checking, content linearization, tab order verification, focus testing
Objectives
- Conduct systematic keyboard-only testing of web applications
- Verify visual accessibility through contrast and reflow checks
Key concepts
- keyboard-only testing
- zoom and reflow testing
- color contrast verification
- content linearization
- tab order verification
- focus indicator testing
- high contrast mode testing
- reduced motion testing
Automated Testing Tools
axe-core, Lighthouse, WAVE, pa11y, jest-axe, CI/CD accessibility integration, automated vs manual testing coverage, false positives/negatives
Objectives
- Integrate automated accessibility testing into development workflows
- Understand the limitations of automated testing tools
Key concepts
- axe-core library
- Lighthouse accessibility audit
- WAVE browser extension
- pa11y CLI
- jest-axe integration
- CI/CD pipeline integration
- automated coverage limitations
- false positive management
Screen Reader Testing
Testing with NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, TalkBack; reading modes, virtual buffer navigation, screen reader output interpretation, cross-reader differences
Objectives
- Conduct thorough screen reader testing across multiple platforms
- Interpret and act on screen reader output differences
Key concepts
- NVDA testing
- JAWS testing
- VoiceOver (macOS/iOS) testing
- TalkBack (Android) testing
- browse mode vs focus mode
- virtual buffer navigation
- screen reader output interpretation
- cross-reader compatibility
Accessibility Audits
VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template), ACR (Accessibility Conformance Report), audit methodology, severity classification, remediation planning, regression testing
Objectives
- Plan and execute comprehensive accessibility audits
- Create VPAT/ACR documentation for product compliance
Key concepts
- VPAT documentation
- ACR (Accessibility Conformance Report)
- audit methodology
- severity classification
- remediation planning
- regression testing strategy
- sampling methodology
- conformance reporting
5 · Design & UX Accessibility4 topics
Color & Contrast
WCAG contrast ratios (4.5:1 normal, 3:1 large text), color blindness considerations, non-color indicators, dark mode accessibility, contrast tools and algorithms
Objectives
- Apply WCAG contrast requirements to design decisions
- Design color schemes that work for color-blind users
Key concepts
- WCAG contrast ratios
- large text threshold (18pt/14pt bold)
- color blindness types
- non-color indicators
- dark mode accessibility
- contrast checking algorithms
- gradient and image text contrast
- focus indicator contrast
Responsive Accessibility
Content reflow at 320px, touch target sizing (44x44px), orientation independence, viewport zoom, mobile screen reader gestures, responsive tables
Objectives
- Design responsive layouts that maintain accessibility across devices
- Implement touch targets and reflow that meet WCAG requirements
Key concepts
- content reflow at 320px
- touch target sizing (44x44px)
- orientation independence
- viewport zoom support
- mobile screen reader gestures
- responsive tables
- responsive navigation patterns
- text spacing override
Media Accessibility
Video captions (open vs closed), audio descriptions, transcripts, accessible media players, sign language interpretation, live captioning, accessible PDFs
Objectives
- Implement comprehensive media accessibility for video and audio content
- Choose appropriate captioning and description strategies
Key concepts
- open vs closed captions
- audio descriptions
- transcripts
- accessible media players
- sign language interpretation
- live captioning
- accessible PDFs
- synchronized multimedia
Cognitive Accessibility
Plain language, consistent layouts, minimizing cognitive load, WCAG 2.2 cognitive criteria, COGA guidance, error recovery, reading level, memory aids
Objectives
- Design interfaces that reduce cognitive load for users with cognitive disabilities
- Apply COGA guidance to improve content comprehension
Key concepts
- plain language
- consistent layouts
- cognitive load reduction
- WCAG 2.2 cognitive criteria
- COGA (Cognitive and Learning Disabilities) guidance
- error recovery
- reading level assessment
- memory aids and reminders
6 · Organizational a11y2 topics
Accessibility Culture & Advocacy
Building accessibility champions, training programs, design system a11y, shifting left on accessibility, accessibility maturity models, inclusive hiring
Objectives
- Build and sustain an accessibility culture within an organization
- Create effective accessibility training programs
Key concepts
- accessibility champions network
- training programs
- design system accessibility
- shift-left accessibility
- accessibility maturity models
- inclusive hiring practices
- disability employee resource groups
- executive sponsorship
Procurement & Compliance
Vendor accessibility evaluation, VPAT review, Section 508 procurement, EN 301 549 compliance, accessibility statements, monitoring and governance
Objectives
- Evaluate vendor products for accessibility compliance
- Develop organizational governance frameworks for accessibility
Key concepts
- vendor accessibility evaluation
- VPAT review and assessment
- Section 508 procurement requirements
- EN 301 549 compliance
- accessibility statements
- monitoring and governance
- third-party component evaluation
- accessibility SLA requirements
Levels: Junior, Mid, Senior, and Expert
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Frequently asked questions
Where should I start studying Accessibility (a11y)?
Start with a11y Fundamentals: Disability Models, Assistive Technologies, and Legal Landscape. The map orders topics by what they depend on, so each one prepares the next.
How long does a full Accessibility (a11y) assessment take?
A full assessment of this path takes about 45 minutes. Study time depends on where you start; a diagnostic shows which topics you can skip.
Do I need an account to use this page?
No. The map, objectives and key concepts are open. You only need an account to be measured, get your gap by topic and receive a plan.