What does the term "a11y" mean?
The term "a11y" is an abbreviation of the word "accessibility". It replaces the 11 letters between the first a and the last y with the number 11:
a + 11 letters + y → a11y
What "accessibility" means
In web development, accessibility (a11y) is the practice of building websites and applications that all users can use, including people with visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive limitations.
Example: what a11y includes
- Alternative text for images
<img src="photo.jpg" alt="Photo of a woman with a laptop">-> screen readers can then read the description.
2. A correct heading structure (<h1>-<h6>)
-> helps people with visual impairments navigate a page quickly.
3. Text and background contrast
-> so text is easy to read regardless of visual differences.
4. Keyboard navigation
-> the ability to use a site without a mouse (for example, with the Tab key).
5. ARIA attributes (aria-label, role, and others)
-> add extra semantics for screen readers.
Examples of related terms:
- i18n - internationalization (18 letters between "i" and "n")
- l10n - localization (10 letters between "l" and "n")
- a11y - accessibility (11 letters between "a" and "y")
Conclusion:
"a11y" is a short form of the word accessibility and refers to an area of web development that makes websites accessible and usable for all users, including people with disabilities.
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