Accessible menu example

Navigation menus are a critical part of web accessibility. This article covers how to create menus that work for all users, regardless of how they interact with your site.

Why Menu Accessibility Matters

Menus are often the primary way users navigate websites. If they’re not accessible, users can’t effectively use your site.

Key Accessibility Requirements

1. Keyboard Navigation

All menu items must be accessible via keyboard:

  • Tab navigation between menu items
  • Arrow keys for dropdown menus
  • Enter/Space to activate items
  • Escape to close dropdowns

2. ARIA Attributes

Use appropriate ARIA attributes for complex menus:

<nav aria-label="Main navigation">
  <ul role="menubar">
    <li role="none">
      <a role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
        Products
      </a>
      <ul role="menu">
        <li role="none">
          <a role="menuitem">Software</a>
        </li>
      </ul>
    </li>
  </ul>
</nav>

3. Focus Management

Ensure clear focus indicators and logical focus order.

Best Practices

  • Test with keyboard-only navigation
  • Use semantic HTML elements
  • Provide skip links for long menus
  • Ensure sufficient color contrast