How to Ensure WCAG Compliance in a React Application with Dynamic Content?
I'm trying to implement I've been banging my head against this for hours. Quick question that's been bugging me - Currently developing an accessible web application in React that dynamically loads content based on user interactions. As part of the architecture design, I want to ensure that the app complies with WCAG 2.1 standards, particularly for users who navigate via keyboard and use assistive technologies. One specific challenge arises when rendering content asynchronously. For instance, I'm using a modal that displays additional information based on a button click. However, I'm unsure how to properly manage focus so that screen readers announce the newly added content effectively. Here's a simplified version of the implementation: ```javascript import React, { useState, useEffect, useRef } from 'react'; const Modal = ({ isOpen, onClose }) => { const modalRef = useRef(null); useEffect(() => { if (isOpen && modalRef.current) { modalRef.current.focus(); // Attempting to manage focus } }, [isOpen]); return isOpen ? ( <div role="dialog" aria-modal="true" ref={modalRef} tabIndex="-1"> <h2>Modal Title</h2> <p>Dynamic content goes here...</p> <button onClick={onClose}>Close</button> </div> ) : null; }; ``` After implementing the modal, I noticed that while it opens correctly, screen readers sometimes skip over it, especially when users focus on the button that triggers it, rather than the modal itself. To troubleshoot this, I tried adding `aria-labelledby` and `aria-describedby` attributes to the modal, but I still feel there might be more to it. Additionally, I’m considering using `setTimeout` to delay focus management, hoping it gives the screen reader enough time to catch up with the dynamic content. I read somewhere that immediate focus changes can sometimes be missed by assistive technologies. Here’s a snippet of that approach: ```javascript useEffect(() => { if (isOpen && modalRef.current) { setTimeout(() => { modalRef.current.focus(); }, 100); } }, [isOpen]); ``` Looking for insights or best practices on ensuring that dynamic content is not only keyboard navigable but also effectively communicated to screen reader users. Any recommendations on handling focus management in such scenarios? What other considerations should I keep in mind to enhance accessibility for users with disabilities? This is part of a larger application I'm building. The project is a application built with Javascript. I'd really appreciate any guidance on this.