name: capacitor-accessibility
description: Accessibility guide for Capacitor apps covering screen readers, semantic HTML, focus management, and WCAG compliance. Use this skill when users need to make their app accessible.

Accessibility in Capacitor Apps

Build inclusive apps that work for everyone.

When to Use This Skill

• User needs accessibility
• User wants screen reader support
• User asks about WCAG
• User needs focus management

Quick Checklist

• [ ] Semantic HTML
• [ ] Alt text for images
• [ ] Touch targets 44x44pt
• [ ] Color contrast 4.5:1
• [ ] Focus indicators
• [ ] Screen reader labels
• [ ] Keyboard navigation

Screen Reader Support

Labels and Hints

// Accessible button
<button
  aria-label="Delete item"
  aria-describedby="delete-hint"
>
  <TrashIcon />
</button>
<span id="delete-hint" className="sr-only">
  Permanently removes this item
</span>

// Accessible input
<label htmlFor="email">Email</label>
<input
  id="email"
  type="email"
  aria-required="true"
  aria-invalid={hasError}
  aria-describedby={hasError ? "email-error" : undefined}
/>
{hasError && <span id="email-error">Invalid email</span>}

Live Regions

// Announce dynamic content
<div aria-live="polite" aria-atomic="true">
  {message}
</div>

// Urgent announcements
<div aria-live="assertive" role="alert">
  {error}
</div>

Touch Targets

/* Minimum 44x44pt */
button, a, input {
  min-height: 44px;
  min-width: 44px;
}

/* Icon buttons need padding */
.icon-button {
  padding: 12px;
}

Color Contrast

/* Good contrast (4.5:1 for text) */
.text {
  color: #333333;
  background: #ffffff;
}

/* Don't rely on color alone */
.error {
  color: #d32f2f;
  border-left: 4px solid #d32f2f; /* Visual indicator */
}
.error::before {
  content: "⚠ "; /* Icon indicator */
}

Focus Management

// Move focus after navigation
useEffect(() => {
  const heading = document.querySelector('h1');
  heading?.focus();
}, [page]);

// Trap focus in modals
function trapFocus(element: HTMLElement) {
  const focusable = element.querySelectorAll(
    'button, [href], input, select, textarea, [tabindex]:not([tabindex="-1"])'
  );
  const first = focusable[0] as HTMLElement;
  const last = focusable[focusable.length - 1] as HTMLElement;

  element.addEventListener('keydown', (e) => {
    if (e.key === 'Tab') {
      if (e.shiftKey && document.activeElement === first) {
        e.preventDefault();
        last.focus();
      } else if (!e.shiftKey && document.activeElement === last) {
        e.preventDefault();
        first.focus();
      }
    }
  });
}

Native Accessibility

iOS VoiceOver

// Custom accessibility in native code
element.isAccessibilityElement = true
element.accessibilityLabel = "Play video"
element.accessibilityHint = "Double tap to play"
element.accessibilityTraits = .button

Android TalkBack

// Custom accessibility
ViewCompat.setAccessibilityDelegate(view, object : AccessibilityDelegateCompat() {
    override fun onInitializeAccessibilityNodeInfo(
        host: View,
        info: AccessibilityNodeInfoCompat
    ) {
        super.onInitializeAccessibilityNodeInfo(host, info)
        info.contentDescription = "Play video"
    }
})

Testing

# iOS: Enable VoiceOver in Simulator
# Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver

# Android: Enable TalkBack
# Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack

# Web: Use axe-core
bunx @axe-core/cli https://localhost:3000

Resources

• WCAG Guidelines: https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/quickref
• iOS Accessibility: https://developer.apple.com/accessibility
• Android Accessibility: https://developer.android.com/accessibility