Accessibility Training for Developers: Skills and Learning Path

When developers ask me how to learn accessibility, they often expect one course or certification that will make them "accessibility experts." The reality is different: accessibility is a set of interconnected skills developed over time through learning and practice—like learning a new programming language or framework.

The good news? You don't need to become an expert before you can contribute. Basic accessibility knowledge covers most common issues. This guide provides a structured learning path from fundamentals to advanced topics, with resources at each level.

Q: How do developers learn web accessibility?

A: Developers learn accessibility through: understanding core principles (WCAG guidelines, assistive technology basics), hands-on practice (building accessible components, testing with screen readers), and continuous learning (staying current with standards evolution). Start with HTML semantics and keyboard accessibility, then progress to ARIA, complex widgets, and testing methodologies.

The Developer Accessibility Skill Set

Core Knowledge Areas

1. WCAG Standards

• Understanding the four principles (POUR)
• Familiarity with Level A and AA success criteria
• Knowing which criteria apply to which content types
• Keeping up with version changes (2.1, 2.2)

2. HTML Semantics

• Choosing appropriate elements for content
• Understanding implicit vs. explicit semantics
• Proper use of landmarks and regions
• Form element associations

3. ARIA

• When to use (and when not to)
• Common roles, states, and properties
• Widget patterns from WAI-ARIA Authoring Practices
• Common ARIA mistakes to avoid

4. Keyboard Accessibility

• Focus management principles
• Tab order and focusability
• Keyboard event handling
• Focus trap patterns

5. Testing

• Automated testing tools and limitations
• Manual testing techniques
• Screen reader basics
• Common testing patterns

Skills by Level

Entry Level:

• Write semantic HTML
• Add meaningful alt text
• Create accessible forms
• Run automated tests
• Basic keyboard testing

Intermediate:

• Implement ARIA patterns correctly
• Build accessible custom components
• Test with screen readers
• Fix common accessibility issues
• Understand WCAG success criteria

Advanced:

• Design accessible interaction patterns
• Audit complex applications
• Train other developers
• Influence product decisions
• Contribute to accessibility standards

Learning Path: Foundations

Step 1: Understand Why Accessibility Matters

Learn about:

• Who benefits from accessibility (not just blind users)
• The legal landscape (ADA, EAA, Section 508)
• Business case for accessibility
• Assistive technologies and how they work

Resources:

• W3C Introduction to Web Accessibility
• WebAIM Introduction to Accessibility
• Microsoft Inclusive Design

Exercise: Watch someone use a screen reader (YouTube videos are fine to start). Notice how different the experience is from visual browsing.

Step 2: Learn Semantic HTML

This is the foundation. Proper HTML is the single most important accessibility skill.

Learn about:

• Choosing the right element for the job
• Headings and document structure
• Lists and their purpose
• Tables for tabular data
• Form element semantics
• Landmark regions

Resources:

• MDN HTML Elements Reference
• HTML5 Doctor - Element flowchart
• WebAIM Semantic Structure

Exercise: Build a page using only semantic HTML (no ARIA). Check with a screen reader—can you understand the structure?

Step 3: Master Keyboard Accessibility

Learn about:

• Native keyboard behavior of HTML elements
• Tab order and tabindex
• Focus management
• Focus indicators
• Common keyboard patterns

Resources:

• WebAIM Keyboard Accessibility
• Understanding Focus
• Keyboard Accessibility Guide

Exercise: Unplug your mouse and navigate your work project using only keyboard. Note every place you get stuck.

Step 4: Learn to Test

Learn about:

• Running automated accessibility tools
• Interpreting results and prioritizing issues
• Manual testing techniques
• Basic screen reader operation

Resources:

• Using axe DevTools
• Lighthouse Accessibility Audits
• Screen Reader Testing Guide

Exercise: Run automated tests on a page you built. Understand each issue reported. Fix them and re-test.

Learning Path: Intermediate

Step 5: Study WCAG

Learn about:

• WCAG structure (principles, guidelines, success criteria)
• Level A vs. AA vs. AAA requirements
• Which criteria apply to which content
• How to interpret criteria for implementation

Resources:

• WCAG 2.2 Quick Reference
• Understanding WCAG 2.2
• WCAG for Developers

Exercise: Pick 10 success criteria relevant to your work. Read the Understanding document for each. Implement an example that passes and one that fails.

Step 6: Learn ARIA Properly

Learn about:

• The first rule of ARIA (don't use it if HTML works)
• Roles, states, and properties
• Valid ARIA usage
• Common ARIA patterns

Resources:

• WAI-ARIA Authoring Practices Guide - Essential
• Using ARIA - W3C
• ARIA Guide

Exercise: Implement an accessible tabs component following APG patterns. Test with keyboard and screen reader.

Step 7: Build Accessible Components

Learn about:

• Modal/dialog patterns
• Menu and navigation patterns
• Form validation patterns
• Dynamic content patterns

Resources:

• WAI-ARIA Authoring Practices Patterns
• Inclusive Components - Heydon Pickering
• A11y Style Guide

Exercise: Build a complete accessible component library with: button, link, form inputs, modal, tabs, accordion, dropdown menu.

Step 8: Regular Screen Reader Practice

Learn about:

• NVDA commands (Windows)
• VoiceOver commands (Mac)
• How screen reader users navigate
• What makes good vs. poor screen reader experience

Resources:

• NVDA User Guide
• VoiceOver Getting Started
• Deque Screen Reader Keyboard Shortcuts

Exercise: Use a screen reader for 30 minutes weekly. Navigate different sites. Experience accessibility barriers firsthand.

Learning Path: Advanced

Step 9: Complex Application Accessibility

Learn about:

• SPA accessibility challenges
• Rich text editor accessibility
• Data visualization accessibility
• Drag and drop accessibility
• Real-time content accessibility

Resources:

• SPA Accessibility Guide
• Accessible Data Visualization
• Accessible Drag and Drop

Exercise: Audit a complex web application. Document every accessibility issue. Propose fixes for the most critical problems.

Step 10: Testing Methodology

Learn about:

• Creating accessibility test plans
• Integrating accessibility in CI/CD
• Accessibility acceptance criteria
• User testing with people with disabilities

Resources:

• Accessibility Testing Checklist
• Automated Accessibility Testing
• Building an Accessibility Testing Practice

Exercise: Create an accessibility test plan for a project. Include automated checks, manual tests, and screen reader verification.

Step 11: Organizational Skills

Learn about:

• Training team members
• Creating accessibility guidelines
• Advocating for accessibility
• Measuring accessibility progress

Resources:

• Building Accessibility Culture
• Accessibility Maturity Models
• Making the Business Case

Exercise: Create a lunch-and-learn presentation on accessibility for your team. Cover basics and team-specific concerns.

Structured Learning Resources

Free Courses

W3C/edX Introduction to Web Accessibility

• Comprehensive foundation
• Free to audit (paid certificate available)
• Created by accessibility experts
• edx.org/course/web-accessibility-introduction

Google's Web Accessibility Course (Udacity)

• Practical developer focus
• Free
• Project-based learning
• udacity.com/course/web-accessibility--ud891

Deque University

• Comprehensive curriculum
• Some free content, full access paid
• IAAP certification preparation
• dequeuniversity.com

Books

"Inclusive Design Patterns" by Heydon Pickering

• Practical component patterns
• Real code examples
• Excellent for intermediate developers

"A Web for Everyone" by Sarah Horton & Whitney Quesenbery

• Design-focused but valuable for developers
• Personas and user perspective
• Good for understanding "why"

"Accessibility for Everyone" by Laura Kalbag

• Broad introduction
• Good for teams
• Covers process, not just technical

Certification

IAAP Certifications

• CPACC (Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies) - foundational
• WAS (Web Accessibility Specialist) - technical
• accessibilityassociation.org

Certification demonstrates commitment and validates knowledge, valuable for career development.

Learning by Practice

Project Ideas

Starter:

• Audit your portfolio site and fix issues
• Build an accessible landing page from scratch
• Create accessible versions of common UI patterns

Intermediate:

• Build accessible e-commerce product page
• Create accessible form with validation
• Implement accessible tab interface

Advanced:

• Build accessible single-page application
• Create accessible data dashboard
• Contribute accessibility fixes to open source

Daily Practice

Weekly habits for accessibility learning:

Monday: Run automated test on current project, fix one issue Tuesday: Practice keyboard navigation on a different website Wednesday: Use screen reader for 15 minutes Thursday: Read one WCAG success criterion in depth Friday: Review one Inclusive Component pattern

FAQ Section

Q: How long does it take to learn accessibility?

A: Basic proficiency (avoiding common mistakes, running tests) takes a few weeks of focused learning. Intermediate skill (building accessible components, understanding WCAG) develops over several months. True expertise takes years of practice. Start contributing immediately while continuing to learn.

Q: Do I need certification to work in accessibility?

A: Certification isn't required but can be valuable. CPACC demonstrates foundational knowledge; WAS demonstrates technical skill. Certifications are most valuable when entering accessibility-focused roles or establishing credibility with employers who value formal credentials.

Q: What's the most important skill to develop first?

A: Semantic HTML. It's the foundation of web accessibility. Most accessibility issues stem from poor HTML choices. Master semantic HTML before diving into ARIA or complex patterns.

Q: How do I practice accessibility if my job doesn't prioritize it?

A: Personal projects, open source contributions, and volunteer work (nonprofits often need accessible websites) provide practice opportunities. Start fixing small issues in your work projects—many accessibility improvements are uncontroversial and make code better regardless.

Q: What resources should I keep bookmarked?

A: WCAG Quick Reference, WAI-ARIA Authoring Practices, MDN ARIA States and Properties, and WebAIM for common techniques. Return to these regularly.

Making Progress

Learning accessibility is a journey:

• Start with fundamentals (semantic HTML, keyboard accessibility)
• Practice regularly (test your own work, use screen readers)
• Learn systematically (study WCAG, follow learning path)
• Apply immediately (fix issues in real projects)
• Keep current (standards evolve, stay updated)

Every accessible component you build, every issue you fix, every test you run contributes to a more accessible web. Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.

Ready to assess what accessibility issues exist in your work? Get a free accessibility scan to establish a baseline and practice fixing real issues.

Related Articles:

• Accessibility Training Programs
• Accessibility Certifications Guide
• WCAG 2.2: What's New and How to Comply

Full transparency: AI assisted in drafting this piece, with our accessibility specialists reviewing and refining the content. While we've done our best to be accurate, web accessibility law and WCAG standards can be complex—please consult with qualified professionals for advice specific to your situation.