/accessibility

name: accessibility
license: MIT
compatibility: "Claude Code 2.1.251+."
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.
tags: [accessibility, a11y, wcag, focus-management, react-aria, keyboard-navigation, screen-reader, aria]
context: fork
agent: accessibility-specialist
version: 2.1.0
author: OrchestKit
user-invocable: false
disable-model-invocation: true
complexity: medium
persuasion-type: reference
metadata:
  category: document-asset-creation
allowed-tools:
  - Read
  - Glob
  - Grep
  - WebFetch
  - WebSearch

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

// 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>

// 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 | `rules/wcag-color-contrast.md` | 4.5:1 text, 3:1 UI components, focus indicators | | Semantic HTML | `rules/wcag-semantic-html.md` | Landmarks, headings, ARIA labels, form structure | | Testing | `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 | `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) | `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 | `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 `scripts/focus-trap-template.tsx`; the house rules for both live in `references/ork-delta.md`.

React Aria

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

| Rule | File | Key Pattern | |------|------|-------------| | Components | `rules/aria-components.md` | useButton, useDialog, useMenu, FocusScope | | Forms | `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 `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 | `rules/wcag-native-html-first.md` | `<dialog>`, `<details>`, native over custom ARIA | | User Preferences | `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 `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-a