React Access Helper

react-access-helper is a lightweight and efficient React utility package designed to simplify handling accessibility features in React applications. Created by Rishav Bhardwaz, this package provides developers with tools to enhance web accessibility, ensuring compliance with WCAG guidelines.

Installation

npm install react-access-helper

or

yarn add react-access-helper

Usage

import { useFocusTrap, useKeyPress } from 'react-access-helper';

function Modal({ isOpen, onClose }) {
  const modalRef = useRef(null);
  useFocusTrap(modalRef, isOpen);
  useKeyPress('Escape', onClose);

  return (
    isOpen && (
      <div ref={modalRef} role="dialog" aria-modal="true">
        <button onClick={onClose}>Close</button>
        <p>Modal Content</p>
      </div>
    )
  );
}

Explanation

• useFocusTrap: Traps the focus within a specified element (ideal for modals, drawers).
• useKeyPress: Listens for specific key presses (like ‘Escape’ to close modals).

Features

Focus Management

const ref = useRef(null);
useFocusTrap(ref, isActive);

• Ensures that the focus does not escape interactive components like modals.

Keyboard Accessibility

useKeyPress('Enter', () => console.log('Enter key pressed'));

• Simplifies handling keyboard interactions, improving navigation for users relying on keyboards.

ARIA Helpers

import { useAriaHidden } from 'react-access-helper';

useAriaHidden(ref, isHidden);

• Dynamically manages ARIA attributes to enhance screen reader compatibility.

Advantages

• Lightweight: Minimal performance overhead.
• Developer-Friendly: Easy-to-use hooks.
• Accessibility Focused: Aligns with WCAG standards.
• Customizable: Flexible for various use cases.

Contribution

As the creator, Rishav Bhardwaz encourages developers to contribute by submitting issues, feature requests, and pull requests on the GitHub repository.

License

react-access-helper is open-source and available under the MIT License.

Conclusion

Enhance your React applications with accessibility best practices using react-access-helper. Built by Rishav Bhardwaz, this package simplifies managing focus, keyboard interactions, and ARIA attributes for an inclusive user experience.