Accessibility Guidelines
- For Web accessibility, adhere to WCAG 2.1 (Level AA) standards.
- For Mobile accessibility, adhere to W3C/WAI Mobile Accessibility Guidelines.
- For Multimedia accessibility, adhere to Multimedia Accessibility W3C Policy.
- For Authoring Tools Accessibility (such as Software, Content Management Systems (CMS), Courseware Tools, Content Aggregators), follow ATAG Guidelines.
- For browsers, media players, and other “User Agent” Accessibility, follow UAAG Guidelines.
Four Principles of Accessibility
Perceivable
Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive (e.g., alt tags that say what the item actually does, like ‘Submit form Button’).
Operable
User interface components and navigation must be operable (e.g., you must be able to navigate the site using a keyboard as well as a mouse).
Understandable
Information and the operation of user interface must be understandable, (e.g., error messaging on a form should make sense; instead of ‘Invalid field’ messaging, use ‘The Email field must be in a valid format’).
Robust
Content must be robust enough so it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies. In other words, don’t use tags or code that only certain browsers understand.
Guidelines Checklist
Text Alternatives
Provide alternatives for non-text content (e.g., images) so that the content is accessible for all users.
Time-Based Media
Provide an alternative (e.g., transcript) for time-based media (e.g., audio/video) that presents equivalent information, or link to textual information with comparable information for non-prerecorded media).
Adaptable
Create content that can be presented in different ways without losing information or structure.
Distinguishable
Make it easy for users to see and hear content, including separating foreground and background, by using readable fonts, larger font sizes, and highlighted link styling for example.
Keyboard Accessible
Make all functionality available from a keyboard.
Timing
Provide enough time for users to read and use content.
Seizures
Do not include design elements that are known to cause seizures (e.g., rapid flashing).
Navigable
Provide multiple ways to allow users to navigate content including obvious/prominent links and other techniques.
Readable
Make text content readable and understandable via styling and other techniques. Consider the accessibility best practices of certain text symbols before using them in text content. For example, avoid ampersands in order to prevent conflict with screen readers.
Predictable
Make web pages appear and operate in predictable ways.
Input Assistance
Assist users with web experience, correct mistakes and describe errors in text.
Compatible
Maximize compatibility with current and future user agents, including assistive technologies.