Next.js Accessibility Template with WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance
A free, open-source Next.js template with accessibility built into every component. Keyboard navigation, screen reader support, ARIA landmarks, focus trapping, and dark mode with proper contrast ratios. Built with Next.js 16, Tailwind CSS 4, and shadcn/ui.
Most Next.js templates treat accessibility as a checkbox. A few ARIA labels here, some alt text there, and a "WCAG compliant" badge on the marketing page. But when you actually test with a keyboard or screen reader, things fall apart: focus gets lost, modals trap you, forms give no feedback, and data tables are impossible to navigate. The A11y Starter Kit takes a different approach. Every component, page, and interaction has been built with keyboard users, screen readers, and assistive technologies in mind from the start. Skip links let users jump past navigation. Focus trapping keeps modal interactions contained. Live regions announce dynamic content to screen readers. Sortable data tables use proper aria-sort attributes. Form validation messages are announced, not just displayed. The kit includes 5 fully working demo pages (login, dashboard, data table, settings, notifications), custom React hooks for focus management and reduced motion, and utility components like VisuallyHidden and LiveRegion. It runs on Next.js 16 with the App Router, Tailwind CSS 4, and shadcn/ui. It is MIT licensed, completely free, and you can use it in personal or commercial projects. If you are building a SaaS product, admin panel, or internal tool and need a foundation that does not compromise on accessibility, this is the template to start with.
Key Features
Keyboard Navigation
Full keyboard support across every page. Skip links bypass navigation, arrow keys navigate menus and lists, and Escape closes modals and dropdowns.
Screen Reader Support
Semantic HTML with ARIA landmarks, live regions for dynamic announcements, and proper heading hierarchy throughout.
Focus Management
Custom useFocusTrap hook for modals and dialogs. Logical focus order, visible focus indicators, and focus restoration after modal close.
Accessible Data Tables
Sortable columns with aria-sort attributes, keyboard-navigable pagination, and screen reader announcements for sort changes.
Accessible Forms
Login and settings forms with proper label associations, error announcements via live regions, and fieldset/legend grouping for radio buttons.
Dark Mode with Contrast
Full dark mode support with contrast ratios maintained in both themes. Respects prefers-reduced-motion and prefers-color-scheme.
How thefrontkit Compares
| Feature | thefrontkit | Typical Alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance | Built into every component | Usually missing or surface-level |
| Keyboard Navigation | Skip links, focus trapping, arrow keys | Tab-only if any |
| Screen Reader Testing | Tested with VoiceOver and NVDA | Rarely tested |
| Price | Free and open source (MIT) | $49-$299 |
| Custom A11y Hooks | useFocusTrap, useAnnounce, useReducedMotion | Not included |
| Dark Mode Contrast | Proper ratios in both themes | Often breaks in dark mode |
Ready to Ship Faster?
Skip the boilerplate and start building what matters. Production-ready, accessible, and token-synced.
View A11y Starter Kit →