Building Accessible UI Components in React

Web accessibility (a11y) is not just a feature; it's a fundamental requirement of professional software engineering. In the React ecosystem, we have the tools to build incredibly powerful and accessible user interfaces, but it requires intentionality and a deep understanding of how assistive technologies interact with the DOM.

Best Practices for React Accessibility:

1. Semantic HTML: Use the right tag for the job (button vs div).
2. ARIA Roles & States: Implementing aria-expanded, aria-label, and aria-live properly.
3. Keyboard Navigation: Ensuring every interaction can be completed using only a keyboard.
4. Focus Management: Using useRef and useEffect to move focus when components mount or modals open.