Building web applications that everyone can use is no longer just a “nice-to-have” feature; it is a requirement.
In my years of developing React applications, I have realized that accessibility (a11y) is often the hardest part to get right from scratch.
Keyboard navigation, ARIA attributes, and screen reader support can take weeks of development time if you are building a custom modal or dropdown.
That is why I always lean on a solid, accessible React component library to handle the heavy lifting while I focus on the business logic.
In this tutorial, I will share my firsthand experience with some of the best libraries and show you how to implement them with real-world examples.
Why You Need an Accessible Component Library
Most developers think that adding a few alt tags to images is enough to make a site accessible.
However, complex components like tabs, dialogs, and comboboxes require much more attention to meet WCAG standards.
Using a library ensures that these patterns are already tested across various devices and screen readers.
It saves you from the headache of managing focus states or worrying about whether a blind user can navigate your site.
Method 1: Use Radix UI for Low-Level Primitives
Radix UI is my go-to when I want full control over the styling but need the accessibility logic to be rock-solid.
It provides “primitives”, unstyled components that handle all the keyboard interactions and ARIA requirements.
Let’s look at a practical example: building a US Social Security Benefits Information toggle using the Radix Accordion.
Implementation Example
First, you would need to install the package: npm install @radix-ui/react-accordion
Here is how I implement a clean, accessible accordion for a federal benefits FAQ page:
import React from 'react';
import * as Accordion from '@radix-ui/react-accordion';
import { ChevronDownIcon } from '@radix-ui/react-icons';
import './styles.css';
const USABenefitsAccordion = () => (
<Accordion.Root className="AccordionRoot" type="single" defaultValue="item-1" collapsible>
<Accordion.Item className="AccordionItem" value="item-1">
<Accordion.Header className="AccordionHeader">
<Accordion.Trigger className="AccordionTrigger">
<span>What is the retirement age in the USA?</span>
<ChevronDownIcon className="AccordionChevron" aria-hidden />
</Accordion.Trigger>
</Accordion.Header>
<Accordion.Content className="AccordionContent">
<div className="AccordionContentText">
The full retirement age is 67 for people born in 1960 or later.
You can start receiving reduced Social Security benefits as early as age 62.
</div>
</Accordion.Content>
</Accordion.Item>
<Accordion.Item className="AccordionItem" value="item-2">
<Accordion.Header className="AccordionHeader">
<Accordion.Trigger className="AccordionTrigger">
<span>How do I apply for a New York State Driver’s License?</span>
<ChevronDownIcon className="AccordionChevron" aria-hidden />
</Accordion.Trigger>
</Accordion.Header>
<Accordion.Content className="AccordionContent">
<div className="AccordionContentText">
You must visit a local DMV office, provide proof of identity,
pass a vision test, and complete a pre-licensing course.
</div>
</Accordion.Content>
</Accordion.Item>
</Accordion.Root>
);
export default USABenefitsAccordion;I executed the above example code and added the screenshot below.
In this code, Radix handles the aria-expanded and aria-controls attributes automatically.
It also ensures that the user can navigate through the questions using only the arrow keys on their keyboard.
Method 2: Build with Reach UI for Robust Focus Management
Reach UI was created by the same team behind React Router, so you know the architecture is high quality.
I find Reach UI particularly useful when building navigation systems or search bars that need to manage focus perfectly.
Let’s create a USA State Selection dropdown using the Reach Listbox, which is much more accessible than a standard HTML select tag.
Implementation Example
Install the library: npm install @reach/listbox
Here is the full implementation for selecting a state for shipping a Tesla in the USA:
import React, { useState } from "react";
import { Listbox, ListboxInput, ListboxButton, ListboxPopover, ListboxList, ListboxOption } from "@reach/listbox";
import "@reach/listbox/styles.css";
const StateShippingSelector = () => {
let [state, setState] = useState("CA");
return (
<div style={{ padding: "20px" }}>
<label id="state-label" style={{ display: "block", marginBottom: "10px" }}>
Select your USA State for Vehicle Registration:
</label>
<ListboxInput
aria-labelledby="state-label"
value={state}
onChange={(value) => setState(value)}
>
<ListboxButton arrow="▼" style={{ width: "200px", padding: "10px" }}>
{state === "CA" ? "California" : state === "TX" ? "Texas" : "Florida"}
</ListboxButton>
<ListboxPopover>
<ListboxList>
<ListboxOption value="CA">California (Silicon Valley Hub)</ListboxOption>
<ListboxOption value="TX">Texas (Gigafactory Location)</ListboxOption>
<ListboxOption value="FL">Florida (Sunshine State)</ListboxOption>
</ListboxList>
</ListboxPopover>
</ListboxInput>
<p style={{ marginTop: "20px" }}>
Current Selection: <strong>{state}</strong>
</p>
</div>
);
};
export default StateShippingSelector;I executed the above example code and added the screenshot below.
This component ensures that when the list opens, the focus moves correctly to the current selection.
It also allows users to jump to a state by typing the first letter, which is a standard accessibility expectation.
Method 3: Use Chakra UI for Rapid Development
If you don’t want to spend time writing CSS, Chakra UI is a fantastic “all-in-one” accessible library.
It follows the WAI-ARIA design patterns strictly and provides a great developer experience.
I often use Chakra when I need to build a dashboard for a US-based client who needs high-contrast support.
Let’s build an American Express Card Application Status modal.
Implementation Example
Install Chakra UI: npm install @chakra-ui/react @emotion/react @emotion/styled framer-motion
import React from 'react';
import {
ChakraProvider,
Modal,
ModalOverlay,
ModalContent,
ModalHeader,
ModalFooter,
ModalBody,
ModalCloseButton,
Button,
useDisclosure,
Text,
} from '@chakra-ui/react';
const CreditCardStatus = () => {
const { isOpen, onOpen, onClose } = useDisclosure();
return (
<ChakraProvider>
<Button onClick={onOpen} colorScheme="blue">
Check AMEX Application Status
</Button>
<Modal isOpen={isOpen} onClose={onClose} isCentered>
<ModalOverlay />
<ModalContent>
<ModalHeader>Application Status: Approved</ModalHeader>
<ModalCloseButton />
<ModalBody>
<Text>
Congratulations! Your application for the American Express Gold Card
has been approved. You will receive your card in Manhattan via FedEx
within 3 to 5 business days.
</Text>
</ModalBody>
<ModalFooter>
<Button variant="ghost" mr={3} onClick={onClose}>
Close
</Button>
<Button colorScheme="green">Setup Online Banking</Button>
</ModalFooter>
</ModalContent>
</Modal>
</ChakraProvider>
);
};
export default CreditCardStatus;I executed the above example code and added the screenshot below.
Chakra UI handles “focus trapping” automatically inside the modal.
This means a user using a screen reader won’t accidentally navigate to elements behind the modal while it is open.
Key Accessibility Features to Look For
When I evaluate a new library, I check for three main things.
First, does it support keyboard interaction (Tab, Enter, Space, and Arrow keys)?
Second, does it manage focus properly, especially when elements are opened or closed?
Third, does it provide the necessary ARIA attributes without me having to add them manually?
If a library fails any of these, I usually move on to another option.
Compare the Libraries
In my experience, Radix UI is best for custom designs where you want to keep the bundle size small.
Reach UI is excellent for simple, functional components that just work out of the box.
Chakra UI is the fastest way to build a complete, accessible UI if you like their default styling.
I suggest starting with Chakra UI if you are a beginner and moving to Radix UI as you become more advanced.
Using these libraries has made my development process much smoother and my apps more inclusive.
I hope this guide helps you choose the right accessible React component library for your next project.
You may also read:
- Web Components vs React
- How to Return Values from React Components
- Why Do React Component Names Need to Start with a Capital Letter?
- How to Reset Component State in React
I am Bijay Kumar, a Microsoft MVP in SharePoint. Apart from SharePoint, I started working on Python, Machine learning, and artificial intelligence for the last 5 years. During this time I got expertise in various Python libraries also like Tkinter, Pandas, NumPy, Turtle, Django, Matplotlib, Tensorflow, Scipy, Scikit-Learn, etc… for various clients in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, etc. Check out my profile.
