Prompting GitHub Copilot Chat to Become Your Personal AI Assistant for Accessibility

In the ever-evolving world of software development, accessibility is a crucial aspect that ensures inclusivity and usability for all users. GitHub Copilot Chat, powered by GPT-4, can be your personal AI assistant to help you learn about and implement accessibility in your code. Let’s explore how you can leverage GitHub Copilot Chat for this purpose, based on insights from Ed Summers and Jesse Dugas’ article.

Why Accessibility Matters

Accessibility in software development ensures that applications are usable by people with various disabilities. It is not just a legal requirement but also a moral imperative to create inclusive digital experiences. By focusing on accessibility, developers can enhance the usability and reach of their applications.

Using GitHub Copilot Chat for Accessibility

GitHub Copilot Chat can assist you in understanding and implementing accessibility standards such as the WCAG 2.1 level A and AA success criteria. Here’s how you can get started:

1. Foundational Prompt: Use a foundational prompt to guide GitHub Copilot Chat. For example:
2. I need to learn about accessibility and need to write code that conforms with the WCAG 2.1 level A and AA success criteria defined at [https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/](https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/).
3. Contextual Assistance: GitHub Copilot Chat can provide contextual suggestions based on your code, comments, and open tabs within your editor. This helps in generating code that meets accessibility standards.
4. Learning and Implementation: Treat GitHub Copilot Chat as a junior developer. Verify the information it provides and ensure it meets all your requirements. This collaborative approach can significantly improve your understanding and implementation of accessibility.

Practical Examples

Here are some practical examples of how GitHub Copilot Chat can help with accessibility:

• Code Suggestions: Get suggestions for making your code more accessible, such as adding ARIA labels or ensuring color contrast.
• Accessibility Checks: Ask Copilot Chat to review your code for accessibility issues and provide recommendations for improvements.
• Learning Resources: Use Copilot Chat to find and summarize resources on accessibility best practices.

Conclusion

GitHub Copilot Chat is a powerful tool that can help developers enhance the accessibility of their applications. By using well-constructed prompts and leveraging the contextual capabilities of Copilot Chat, you can ensure your code is inclusive and meets accessibility standards.

Credit to Ed Summers and Jesse Dugas for the original article.