What frontend accessibility basics do you check when building forms and interactive components?

Accessibility basics for forms and components

Explains labels, keyboard behavior, focus, semantic HTML, errors, color contrast, and accessible custom controls.

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TL;DR

I would start with semantic HTML and labels. Inputs need associated labels, buttons should be real buttons, and links should navigate. Interactive controls must work with keyboard focus and activation. Validation errors need to be connected to fields and announced clearly. Color cannot be the only signal, and contrast needs to be readable. Focus should move predictably after dialogs, errors, and route changes.

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Semantic HTML, labels, keyboard navigation, focus management, validation errors, color contrast, and screen-reader behavior.

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Core answer
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Why this question matters
Accessibility is product quality, not decoration. It also catches many usability bugs that affect everyone, such as missing labels, bad focus, and mouse-only controls.
I would start with semantic HTML and labels. Inputs need associated labels, buttons should be real buttons, and links should navigate. Interactive controls must work with keyboard focus and activation. Validation errors need to be connected to fields and announced clearly. Color cannot be the only signal, and contrast needs to be readable. Focus should move predictably after dialogs, errors, and route changes.
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Stronger answer
Optional upgrade with examples, trade-offs, and sharper phrasing.
I would be careful with custom components. A custom select, combobox, modal, or menu needs keyboard behavior, roles, focus trapping where appropriate, escape behavior, and screen-reader names. Often I prefer a proven accessible component library or native element where possible. Accessibility also connects to loading and error states: users need to know when content changed, failed, or became available.

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Details

Using divs as buttons without keyboard behavior.
Inputs without labels or error relationships.
Removing focus outlines without a replacement.
Using color alone to show status or errors.

What frontend accessibility basics do you check when building forms and interactive components?

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