Accessibility in Single-Page Applications
Single-page applications (SPAs) update content without reloading the whole page, which feels fast and modern. But that very behaviour can break accessibility, because screen readers expect a page change and may not notice anything has happened.
SPAs can absolutely be accessible — it simply takes deliberate handling of the things a normal page reload would do for you automatically.
The Challenges to Manage
Without a full reload, several pieces of normal browser behaviour have to be recreated by hand.
- Announcing that the view has changed.
- Moving focus to the new content sensibly.
- Updating the page title and the browser history.
- Keeping the back button working as expected.
Getting It Right
We use live regions to announce updates, manage focus on each route change, and keep titles and URLs in step, so an SPA feels just as coherent to assistive technology as a traditional site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a React or Vue app be fully accessible?
Absolutely. The framework is not the obstacle; what matters is handling focus, announcements and page titles deliberately on every view change, which we build in from the start.
If you need a hand with any of this, your Progressive Robot delivery team is ready to help. Raise a ticket from the Support area of your client portal or speak to your account manager and we will guide you through the next steps.