# Custom Controls Support accessibility for custom user interface elements by adopting a role-specific protocol and implementing its methods. ## Discussion Role-specific accessibility protocols represent the most common control types found in apps. Adopt a role-specific accessibility protocol if: - You’re creating a custom control that’s a subclass of [`NSView`](/documentation/AppKit/NSView), and you want to modify the control’s behavior beyond what AppKit provides by default. - You’re working with a specialized control that doesn’t subclass [`NSView`](/documentation/AppKit/NSView). See [`NSAccessibilityElement`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityElement-swift.class) first. First, identify the role-specific protocol that best matches your control’s intended behavior. For example, if your control is something that triggers actions when the user clicks it, adopt the [`NSAccessibilityButton`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityButton) protocol. After you select an appropriate protocol, adopt that protocol. The compiler may ask you to reimplement some of the [`NSAccessibilityProtocol`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityProtocol) protocol’s accessor or action methods. Simply implement these methods, and your control is ready to use. ## Topics ### Buttons [`NSAccessibilityButton`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityButton) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary for an accessibility element to act as a button. [`NSAccessibilityRadioButton`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityRadioButton) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary for an accessibility element to act as a radio button. [`NSAccessibilitySwitch`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilitySwitch) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary for an accessibility element to act as a switch. [`NSAccessibilityCheckBox`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityCheckBox) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary for an accessibility element to act as a checkbox. ### Value Controls [`NSAccessibilityStepper`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityStepper) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary for an accessibility element to act as a stepper. [`NSAccessibilitySlider`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilitySlider) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary for an accessibility element to act as a slider. ### Groups [`NSAccessibilityGroup`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityGroup) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary to act as a container for other user interface elements. ### Lists [`NSAccessibilityTable`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityTable) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary for an accessibility element to act as a table view. [`NSAccessibilityList`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityList) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary for an accessibility element to act as a list view. [`NSAccessibilityOutline`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityOutline) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary for an accessibility element to act as an outline view. [`NSAccessibilityRow`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityRow) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary for an accessibility element to act as a row for a table, list, or outline view. ### Text [`NSAccessibilityStaticText`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityStaticText) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary for an accessibility element to act as static text. [`NSAccessibilityNavigableStaticText`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityNavigableStaticText) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary for an accessibility element to act as navigable static text. ### Images and Color [`NSAccessibilityImage`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityImage) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary for an accessibility element to act as an image. [`NSAccessibilityColor`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityColor) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary for an accessibility element to act as a color. ### Loading [`NSAccessibilityProgressIndicator`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityProgressIndicator) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary for an accessibility element to act as a progress indicator. [`NSAccessibilityElementLoading`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityElementLoading) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary for an accessibility element to support loading. ### Dynamic Elements [`NSAccessibilityContainsTransientUI`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityContainsTransientUI) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary for an accessibility element to support dynamic UI changes. ### Layout Elements [`NSAccessibilityLayoutArea`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityLayoutArea) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary for an accessibility element to act as a layout area. [`NSAccessibilityLayoutItem`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityLayoutItem) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary for an accessibility element to act as a layout item. ### Supporting Types [`NSAccessibilityElementProtocol`](/documentation/AppKit/NSAccessibilityElementProtocol) A role-based protocol that declares the minimum interface necessary to interact with an assistive app. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)