Creating an accessible portal in Power Pages is not just about compliance—it’s about inclusive design that ensures every user, regardless of ability, can interact with your content effectively. Screen readers are essential tools for users who are blind or have low vision, and designing Power Pages with screen reader compatibility in mind ensures that content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust (POUR principles from WCAG 2.1).
Below is a detailed step-by-step guide (around 1000 words) on how to ensure accessibility for screen readers in Power Pages.
1. Understand Screen Readers and Accessibility Standards
What is a Screen Reader?
A screen reader is a software application that converts text and elements on a screen into speech or braille output. It enables users to navigate websites and apps without relying on visual cues.
Follow Accessibility Standards
- WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines): These are the global guidelines for accessible content.
- Section 508 (U.S.): Mandates accessibility in federal IT systems.
- EN 301 549 (EU): Accessibility requirements for ICT products and services.
2. Use Semantic HTML Structure
Why it matters:
Screen readers rely on HTML semantics to interpret the structure and meaning of content. Proper use of semantic tags ensures that the content is announced correctly and navigable.
Best Practices:
- Use
<header>,<main>,<nav>,<section>, and<footer>to define page structure. - Use
<h1>to<h6>for headings in proper hierarchy (do not skip heading levels). - Use
<ul>and<ol>for lists, and ensure list items are wrapped in<li>. - Wrap buttons in
<button>tags, not<div>or<span>, to ensure they’re recognized as interactive elements.
3. Add ARIA Attributes Where Necessary
ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes enhance screen reader functionality, especially when standard HTML cannot fully describe an element’s purpose.
Examples:
aria-label: Adds an accessible name when visible text isn’t sufficient.aria-labelledby: Associates the element with a visible label.aria-hidden="true": Hides decorative or duplicate content from screen readers.role="alert": Notifies users of dynamic changes like form validation errors.
Caution:
Don’t overuse ARIA. Native HTML elements should be preferred where possible, as they have built-in accessibility support.
4. Accessible Forms and Entity Forms
Labeling Inputs:
- Use
<label for="input-id">and ensure theidmatches. - Or use
aria-label="Description"if a visible label isn’t appropriate.
Error Handling:
- Provide clear error messages using
aria-describedby. - Dynamically show error feedback in a region with
role="alert"for real-time notifications.
Tab Order:
Ensure tab order follows a logical flow:
- Avoid tabindex values greater than 0.
- Use
tabindex="0"only for custom components that need keyboard focus.
5. Navigation with Landmarks and Skip Links
Landmarks:
- Mark sections like headers and navigation with
<header>,<nav>,<main>,<aside>, and<footer>so screen readers can jump quickly between them.
Skip Links:
- Add a “Skip to main content” link at the top of your pages for keyboard users.
<a href="#maincontent" class="sr-only focus:not-sr-only">Skip to main content</a>
6. Ensure Accessible Dynamic Content
Many Power Pages include dynamic elements like modals, accordions, or AJAX-loaded content. These must be updated for screen readers.
Best Practices:
- Use
aria-live="polite"orrole="alert"for content updates. - Make sure modals trap focus inside and return focus to the triggering element after closing.
7. Provide Descriptive Link and Button Texts
Avoid vague link labels like “Click here” or “Read more.” Screen reader users may navigate by links, and such labels are meaningless out of context.
Instead, use:
- “Read more about our pricing plans”
- “Submit registration form”
For icons used as links or buttons, include accessible labels:
<button aria-label="Close menu">
<i class="fas fa-times"></i>
</button>
8. Image Accessibility with Alt Text
Every meaningful image should have an alt attribute:
- Decorative images:
alt=""andaria-hidden="true" - Informative images: Describe their content succinctly in
alt.
Avoid repeating text already present nearby, and don’t overload with long alt text—use a caption if the image needs detailed explanation.
9. Keyboard Navigation Testing
Ensure all interactive elements are operable using only the keyboard:
- Tab key for navigation.
- Enter and Space for activation.
- Arrow keys for radio buttons, sliders, etc.
Use custom keyboard event listeners for non-standard UI components (e.g., dropdowns or accordions).
10. Screen Reader Testing Tools
Test with real screen readers and accessibility tools:
Free Screen Readers:
- NVDA (Windows)
- VoiceOver (Mac, iOS)
- TalkBack (Android)
Accessibility Tools:
- Axe (Browser Extension)
- Lighthouse (Chrome DevTools)
- WAVE (WebAIM)
- NVDA with Firefox for accurate testing.
11. Avoid Non-Compliant Elements and Styling
- Never disable focus outlines (
outline: none) unless replacing them with visible alternatives. - Use sufficient color contrast for text (WCAG minimum is 4.5:1 for body text).
- Avoid auto-playing content without controls.
12. Regular Accessibility Audits
Set up periodic testing as part of your deployment pipeline:
- Manual testing (critical pages)
- Automated scanning tools (Lighthouse, Axe)
- User feedback loops with real users who rely on assistive tech
13. Power Pages Specific Features
Web Files and Content Snippets:
Ensure all dynamic content managed by content authors has accessibility guidelines. Use templates to enforce consistent semantic HTML.
Entity Lists and Forms:
- Enable accessible pagination and filtering.
- Label columns and inputs clearly.
- Use accessible templates when customizing layouts.
14. Train Your Content Editors
Accessibility isn’t just technical. Your editors should know:
- Not to paste unstructured content.
- How to create accessible tables, links, and headings.
- How to write meaningful alt text.