Code Fix Guide

How to Fix Common CSS Errors for Accessibility

CSS errors don't just break your design — they break accessibility. Content that overflows and gets clipped, text that becomes invisible against its background, layouts that break on zoom, and responsive designs that hide content on mobile all create barriers for users with disabilities.

Common Errors and How to Fix Them

Preventing page scrolling — hides content below the fold

Problem

body {
  overflow: hidden;
}

Fix

body {
  overflow-x: hidden; /* Only hide horizontal overflow */
  /* Allow vertical scrolling */
}

Fixed-width layout breaks on zoom and small screens

Problem

.content {
  width: 960px;
}

Fix

.content {
  max-width: 960px;
  width: 100%;
  padding: 0 16px;
}

Hiding content on mobile that's available on desktop

Problem

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .sidebar { display: none; }
}

Fix

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .sidebar {
    /* Collapse instead of hiding */
    position: static;
    width: 100%;
  }
}

Why This Matters

CSS issues can violate WCAG 1.4.4 (Resize Text), 1.4.10 (Reflow), 1.4.3 (Contrast), and 1.4.12 (Text Spacing). When content is clipped, hidden, or overlapping due to CSS, it's effectively invisible to users who zoom, use screen magnifiers, or view on small screens.

Related WCAG Criteria

1.4.3Contrast (Minimum)

Level AA — Perceivable

1.4.4Resize Text

Level AA — Perceivable

1.4.10Reflow

Level AA — Perceivable

1.4.12Text Spacing

Level AA — Perceivable

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