Improving Modal Accessibility with Phoenix LiveView Helpers

This article provides insights into enhancing modal dialogs using Phoenix LiveView by addressing common accessibility issues. The author describes two problems often faced when creating modals: elements behind the modal remaining tab-accessible and failure to focus on the modal's first input automatically. Thankfully, Phoenix LiveView offers two helpers to solve these issues. The .focus_wrap component is designed to keep focus within the modal dialog, preventing any focus drift into the background. Meanwhile, the JS.focus_first/2 function allows developers to target the modal upon activation, such as clicking a button to open it, and promptly set the focus to its first focusable element, typically a text input field. By incorporating these helpers into modal designs, developers can significantly enhance user experience and ensure better accessibility standards.