---

name: accessibility-design description: Ensure WCAG 2.1 AA compliance in all frontend designs. Use this skill when building any user interface to guarantee visibility, contrast, keyboard navigation, and screen reader support.

Accessibility Design Skill

Color Contrast Requirements (WCAG AA)

Testing: Use browser DevTools or webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker

Safe Dark Mode Combinations:

• Text on dark: Use #e5e7eb (gray-200) minimum, #f9fafb (gray-50) preferred
• NEVER use: #9ca3af (gray-400) or darker for body text on dark backgrounds

Maslow AI: Use #FFFFFF on Dark Blue #121D35 and Purple #401877. Use #333333 on Teal #6DC4AD, Pink #EE7BB3, and Orange #F3A326. See maslow-brand skill for full contrast table.

Focus States

Required for ALL interactive elements:

Copy:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--color-accent);
  outline-offset: 2px;
}

/* Never do this without replacement */
/* :focus { outline: none; } ← WRONG */

Maslow AI: Use Teal #6DC4AD for focus rings (--state-focus-ring in maslow-brand).

Tab order must be:

• Logical (follows visual flow)
• Complete (all interactive elements reachable)
• Indicated (visible focus ring)

Semantic HTML Structure

Required landmarks:

Copy<header role="banner">
  <nav role="navigation" aria-label="Main">
<main role="main">
<aside role="complementary">
<footer role="contentinfo">

Heading hierarchy:

• One <h1> per page
• Sequential: h1 → h2 → h3 (no skipping)
• Descriptive, not generic ("Features" not "Section 2")

ARIA Labels

Interactive elements need labels:

Copy<!-- Icon-only buttons -->
<button aria-label="Close menu">
  <svg>...</svg>
</button>

<!-- Links with non-descriptive text -->
<a href="/docs" aria-label="Read the documentation">Learn more</a>

<!-- Form inputs -->
<input type="email" aria-label="Email address" placeholder="you@example.com">

Motion Safety

Always include:

Copy@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  *, *::before, *::after {
    animation-duration: 0.01ms !important;
    animation-iteration-count: 1 !important;
    transition-duration: 0.01ms !important;
    scroll-behavior: auto !important;
  }
}

Animation rules:

• No auto-playing animations longer than 5 seconds
• Provide pause/stop controls for persistent motion
• Avoid flashing content (max 3 flashes/second)

Images & Icons

All images need alt text:

Copy<!-- Informative -->
<img src="chart.png" alt="Sales increased 40% in Q4 2024">

<!-- Decorative (hide from screen readers) -->
<img src="decoration.svg" alt="" role="presentation">

<!-- SVG icons -->
<svg aria-hidden="true">...</svg>
<span class="sr-only">Menu</span>

Screen Reader Utilities

Include in CSS:

Copy.sr-only {
  position: absolute;
  width: 1px;
  height: 1px;
  padding: 0;
  margin: -1px;
  overflow: hidden;
  clip: rect(0, 0, 0, 0);
  white-space: nowrap;
  border: 0;
}

Checklist Before Shipping

• All text meets contrast requirements
• Focus indicators visible on all interactive elements
• Keyboard navigation works (Tab, Enter, Escape, Arrows)
• Heading hierarchy is sequential
• Images have alt text
• ARIA labels on icon-only buttons
• Reduced motion media query included
• No content relies solely on color to convey meaning

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Brand Integration

For Maslow AI projects, reference the maslow-brand skill for:

Verified Contrast Pairs (from maslow-brand):

• ✅ White #FFFFFF on Purple #401877 — 10.5:1
• ✅ White #FFFFFF on Dark Blue #121D35 — 15.2:1
• ✅ Dark #333333 on Teal #6DC4AD — 4.8:1
• ✅ Dark #333333 on Pink #EE7BB3 — 4.5:1