a11y: conduct comprehensive WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility audit and implement fixes

[phrazzld]

Description

While the project prioritizes accessibility as a guiding principle, a comprehensive audit is needed to ensure full WCAG 2.1 AA compliance across all components and user flows.

Current State

Accessibility Features:

• Keyboard navigation components in \
• ARIA attributes in some components
• Semantic HTML structure

Gaps:

• No comprehensive accessibility testing
• Missing automated a11y testing in CI
• Potential issues with complex interactions

Required Implementation

1. Comprehensive Audit

• Audit all components with automated tools (axe-core, Pa11y)
• Manual testing with screen readers
• Keyboard navigation testing across all flows
• Color contrast and visual accessibility review

2. Testing Integration

• Add jest-axe to all component tests
• Implement Storybook accessibility addon
• Add CI pipeline accessibility checks
• Create accessibility testing guidelines

3. Component Improvements

• Fix any identified accessibility violations
• Enhance keyboard navigation patterns
• Improve screen reader experience
• Add proper focus management

Acceptance Criteria

• All components pass automated accessibility tests
• Manual testing with screen readers completed
• Comprehensive keyboard navigation works
• CI enforces accessibility standards
• Documentation includes a11y guidelines

Benefits

• Inclusive Design: Ensures usability for all users
• Legal Compliance: Meets accessibility standards
• Better UX: Improved navigation and interaction patterns
• SEO Benefits: Better semantic structure

Priority

MEDIUM - Important for user inclusivity and compliance.