Purpose

These learning paths provide a structured progression for developing accessibility engineering skills.

Beginner Path

For engineers new to accessibility.

Topics

1. Accessibility Fundamentals

   • What is digital accessibility?
   • Who benefits from accessible software?
   • The business case for accessibility.
   • Overview of WCAG principles (POUR).
   • Read: Accessibility Engineering Handbook.

2. Semantic HTML

   • Why semantic HTML matters for accessibility.
   • Common HTML elements and their accessible uses.
   • Heading hierarchy and document structure.
   • Read: Semantic HTML.

3. Keyboard Accessibility

   • Why keyboard accessibility matters.
   • Standard keyboard interactions.
   • Focus management basics.
   • Read: Keyboard Accessibility.

4. Colour and Contrast

   • Understanding contrast ratios.
   • Meeting WCAG contrast requirements.
   • Colour blindness considerations.
   • Read: Colour and Contrast.

5. Accessible Forms

   • Labelling inputs correctly.
   • Error handling for accessibility.
   • Accessible form structure.
   • Read: Accessible Forms.

Suggested Projects

• Add alt text to images in an existing project.
• Run an automated accessibility scan and fix all issues.
• Implement keyboard navigation for a custom component.

Assessment

• Can you explain the four WCAG principles (POUR)?
• Can you audit a simple page for basic accessibility issues?

Intermediate Path

For engineers who understand the basics and want to go deeper.

Topics

1. ARIA

   • When to use ARIA (and when not to).
   • Common ARIA patterns (tabs, dialogs, alerts).
   • ARIA states and properties.
   • Read: ARIA Patterns.

2. Screen Reader Testing

   • Testing with VoiceOver and NVDA.
   • Navigating by headings, landmarks and links.
   • Testing dynamic content.
   • Read: Screen Reader Testing.

3. Accessibility Review

   • Conducting accessibility audits.
   • Severity classification.
   • Writing accessibility findings.
   • Read: Accessibility Review Playbook.

4. WCAG Deep Dive

   • Understanding WCAG success criteria.
   • Level A vs AA vs AAA.
   • Common failure patterns.
   • Read: WCAG Audit Checklist.

Suggested Projects

• Conduct a full accessibility audit of a small project.
• Implement a custom accessible widget (dialog, tabs, carousel).
• Write an accessibility report for a component.

Assessment

• Can you use a screen reader to test a page?
• Can you identify and fix common ARIA mistakes?

Advanced Path

For engineers who want to lead accessibility engineering.

Topics

1. Accessibility in CI/CD

   • Automating accessibility checks.
   • Quality gates for accessibility.
   • Accessibility regression prevention.

2. Advanced Patterns

   • Accessible data tables.
   • Drag-and-drop accessibility.
   • Single-page app routing and focus management.
   • Internationalisation and accessibility.

3. Organisational Accessibility

   • Building an accessibility practice.
   • Training and mentoring.
   • Accessibility in procurement.
   • Legal and regulatory landscape.

4. Emerging Technologies

   • Accessibility in mobile apps.
   • Accessibility in design systems.
   • AI and accessibility.
   • Future WCAG developments.

Suggested Projects

• Set up CI accessibility checks for a project.
• Create an accessibility component library.
• Lead an accessibility training session.

Assessment

• Can you set up a complete accessibility testing pipeline?
• Can you guide a team in building an accessibility practice?

Related Documents

• Accessibility Engineering Handbook
• Accessibility References
• Accessibility Glossary