Start with semantic HTML
Use buttons for actions and links for navigation. Give pages one clear main heading and organize sections with a meaningful heading order.
Native elements already communicate their roles to assistive technology, so they need fewer custom fixes.
Make every action work by keyboard
Move through the page with Tab and Shift+Tab. Make sure focus is visible, menus can open and close without a mouse, and dialogs return focus when they close.
Avoid removing the browser focus outline unless you replace it with a clear, equally visible style.
Help people understand forms
Connect each input to a visible label. Explain required fields before submission and show errors beside the field that needs attention.
Check text and control contrast at realistic sizes, and provide useful alternative text for images that convey information.