Section WCAG Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
Criteria | Supporting Features | Remarks (e.g., definition, equivalent facilitation, scope of support provided) |
|---|
1.1.1 Non-text Content: All non-text content thatis presented to the user has a text alternative that serves theequivalent purpose, except for the situations listed below. (Level A)- Controls, Input: Ifnon-text content is a control or accepts user input, then it has a namethat describes its purpose. (Refer to Guideline 4.1 for additionalrequirements for controls and content that accepts user input.)
- Time-Based Media: Ifnon-text content is time-based media, then text alternatives at leastprovide descriptive identification of the non-text content. (Refer toGuideline 1.2 for additional requirements for media.)
- Test: Ifnon-text content is a test or exercise that would be invalid ifpresented in text, then text alternatives at least provide descriptiveidentification of the non-text content.
- Sensory: Ifnon-text content is primarily intended to create a specific sensoryexperience, then text alternatives at least provide descriptiveidentification of the non-text content.
- CAPTCHA: If the purpose of non-textcontent is to confirm that content is being accessed by a person ratherthan a computer, then text alternatives that identify and describe thepurpose of the non-text content are provided, and alternative forms ofCAPTCHA using output modes for different types of sensory perceptionare provided to accommodate different disabilities.
- Decoration, Formatting, Invisible: Ifnon-text content is pure decoration, is used only for visualformatting, or is not presented to users, then it is implemented in away that it can be ignored by assistive technology.
| Not Applicable | |
1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded): For prerecorded audio-only and prerecorded video-only media, the following are true, except when the audio or video is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such: (Level A)Prerecorded Audio-only: An alternative for time-based media is provided that presents equivalent information for prerecorded audio-only content. Prerecorded Video-only: Either an alternative for time-based media or an audio track is provided that presents equivalent information for prerecorded video-only content.
| Not Applicable | |
| 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded): Captions are provided for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media, except when the media is a media alternative for text and is clearlylabeled as such. (Level A) | Not Applicable | |
| 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded): An alternative for time-based media or audio description of the prerecorded video content is provided for synchronized media, except when the media is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such. (Level A) | Not Applicable | |
| 1.2.4 Captions (Live): Captions are provided for all live audio content in synchronized media. (Level AA) | Not Applicable | |
| 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded): Audio description is provided for all prerecorded video content in synchronized media. (Level AA) | Not Applicable | |
| 1.3.1 Info and Relationships: Information, structure, and relationships conveyed through presentation can be programmatically determined or are available in text. (Level A) | Not Applicable | |
| 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence:When the sequence in which content is presented affects its meaning, a correct reading sequence can be programmatically determined. (Level A) | Not Applicable | |
1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics:Instructions provided for understanding and operating content do not rely solely on sensory characteristics of components such as shape, size, visual location, orientation, or sound. (Level A)
Note:For requirements related to color, refer to Guideline 1.4. | Not Applicable | |
1.4.1 Use of Color:Color is not used as the only visual means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element. (Level A)
Note:This success criterion addresses color perception specifically. Other forms of perception are covered in Guideline 1.3 including programmatic access to color and other visual presentation coding. | Not Applicable | |
1.4.2 Audio Control:If any audio on a Web page plays automatically for more than 3 seconds, either a mechanism is available to pause or stop the audio, or a mechanism is available to control audio volume independently from the overall system volume level. (Level A)
Note:Since any content that does not meet this success criterion can interfere with a user's ability to use the whole page, all content on the Web page (whether or not it is used to meet other success criteria) must meet this success criterion. See Conformance Requirement 5: Non-Interference. | Not Applicable | |
1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum):The visual presentation of text and images of text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1, except for the following: (Level AA)
- Large Text:Large-scale text and images of large-scale text have a contrast ratio of at least 3:1;
- Incidental:Text or images of text that are part of an inactive user interface component, that are pure decoration, that are not visible to anyone, or that are part of a picture that contains significant other visual content, have no contrast requirement.
- Logotypes:Text that is part of a logo or brand name has no minimum contrast requirement.
| Not Applicable | |
| 1.4.4 Resize text:Except for captions and images of text, text can be resized without assistive technology up to 200 percent without loss of content or functionality. (Level AA) | Not Applicable | |
1.4.5 Images of Text:If the technologies being used can achieve the visual presentation, text is used to convey information rather than images of text except for the following: (Level AA)- Customizable:The image of text can be visually customized to the user's requirements;
- Essential:A particular presentation of text is essential to the information being conveyed.
Note:Logotypes (text that is part of a logo or brand name) are considered essential. | Not Applicable | |
2.1.1 Keyboard:All functionality of the content is operable through a keyboard interface without requiring specific timings for individual keystrokes, except where the underlying function requires input that depends on the path of the user's movement and not just the endpoints. (Level A)
Note 1:This exception relates to the underlying function, not the input technique. For example, if using handwriting to enter text, the input technique (handwriting) requires path-dependent input but the underlying function (text input) does not.
Note 2:This does not forbid and should not discourage providing mouse input or other input methods in addition to keyboard operation. | Not Applicable | |
2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap:If keyboard focus can be moved to a component of the page using a keyboard interface, then focus can be moved away from that component using only a keyboard interface, and, if it requires more than unmodified arrow or tab keys or other standard exit methods, the user is advised of the method for moving focus away. (Level A)
Note:Since any content that does not meet this success criterion can interfere with a user's ability to use the whole page, all content on the Web page (whether it is used to meet other success criteria or not) must meet this success criterion. See Conformance Requirement 5: Non-Interference. | Not Applicable | |
2.2.1 Timing Adjustable:For each time limit that is set by the content, at least one of the following is true: (Level A)
- Turn off:The user is allowed to turn off the time limit before encountering it; or
- Adjust:The user is allowed to adjust the time limit before encountering it over a wide range that is at least ten times the length of the default setting; or
- Extend:The user is warned before time expires and given at least 20 seconds to extend the time limit with a simple action (for example, "press the space bar"), and the user is allowed to extend the time limit at least ten times; or
- Real-time Exception:The time limit is a required part of a real-time event (for example, an auction), and no alternative to the time limit is possible; or
- Essential Exception:The time limit is essential and extending it would invalidate the activity; or
- 20 Hour Exception:The time limit is longer than 20 hours.
Note:This success criterion helps ensure that users can complete tasks without unexpected changes in content or context that are a result of a time limit. This success criterion should be considered in conjunction with Success Criterion 3.2.1, which puts limits on changes of content or context as a result of user action. | Not Applicable | |
2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide:For moving, blinking, scrolling, or auto-updating information, all of the following are true: (Level A)
- Moving, blinking, scrolling:For any moving, blinking or scrolling information that (1) starts automatically, (2) lasts more than five seconds, and (3) is presented in parallel with other content, there is a mechanism for the user to pause, stop, or hide it unless the movement, blinking, or scrolling is part of an activity where it is essential; and
- Auto-updating:For any auto-updating information that (1) starts automatically and (2) is presented in parallel with other content, there is a mechanism for the user to pause, stop, or hide it or to control the frequency of the update unless the auto-updating is part of an activity where it is essential.
Note 1:For requirements related to flickering or flashing content, refer to Guideline 2.3.
Note 2:Since any content that does not meet this success criterion can interfere with a user's ability to use the whole page, all content on the Web page (whether it is used to meet other success criteria or not) must meet this success criterion. See Conformance Requirement 5: Non-Interference.
Note 3:Content that is updated periodically by software or that is streamed to the user agent is not required to preserve or present information that is generated or received between the initiation of the pause and resuming presentation, as this may not be technically possible, and in many situations could be misleading to do so.
Note 4:An animation that occurs as part of a preload phase or similar situation can be considered essential if interaction cannot occur during that phase for all users and if not indicating progress could confuse users or cause them to think that content was frozen or broken. | Not Applicable | |
2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold:Web pages do not contain anything that flashes more than three times in any one second period, or the flash is below the general flash and red flash thresholds. (Level A)
Note:Since any content that does not meet this success criterion can interfere with a user's ability to use the whole page, all content on the Web page (whether it is used to meet other success criteria or not) must meet this success criterion. See Conformance Requirement 5: Non-Interference. | Not Applicable | |
| 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks:A mechanism is available to bypass blocks of content that are repeated on multiple Web pages. (Level A) | Not Applicable | |
| 2.4.2 Page Titled:Web pages have titles that describe topic or purpose. (Level A) | Not Applicable | |
| 2.4.3 Focus Order:If a Web page can be navigated sequentially and the navigation sequences affect meaning or operation, focusable components receive focus in an order that preserves meaning and operability. (Level A) | Not Applicable | |
| 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context):The purpose of each link can be determined from the link text alone or from the link text together with its programmatically determined link context, except where the purpose of the link would be ambiguous to users in general. (Level A) | Not Applicable | |
| 2.4.5 Multiple Ways:More than one way is available to locate a Web page within a set of Web pages except where the Web Page is the result of, or a step in, a process. (Level AA) | Not Applicable | |
| 2.4.6 Headings and Labels:Headings and labels describe topic or purpose. (Level AA) | Not Applicable | |
| 2.4.7 Focus Visible:Any keyboard operable user interface has a mode of operation where the keyboard focus indicator is visible. (Level AA) | Not Applicable | |
| 3.1.1 Language of Page:The default human language of each Web page can be programmatically determined. (Level A) | Not Applicable | |
| 3.1.2 Language of Parts:The human language of each passage or phrase in the content can be programmatically determined except for proper names, technical terms, words of indeterminate language, and words or phrases that have become part of the vernacular of the immediately surrounding text. (Level AA) | Not Applicable | |
| 3.2.1 On Focus:When any component receives focus, it does not initiate a change of context. (Level A) | Not Applicable | |
| 3.2.2 On Input:Changing the setting of any user interface component does not automatically cause a change of context unless the user has been advised of the behavior before using the component. (Level A) | Not Applicable | |
| 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation:Navigational mechanisms that are repeated on multiple Web pages within a set of Web pages occur in the same relative order each time they are repeated, unless a change is initiated by the user. (Level AA) | Not Applicable | |
| 3.2.4 Consistent Identification:Components that have the same functionality within a set of Web pages are identified consistently. (Level AA) | Not Applicable | |
| 3.3.1 Error Identification:If an input error is automatically detected, the item that is in error is identified and the error is described to the user in text. (Level A) | Not Applicable | |
| 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions:Labels or instructions are provided when content requires user input. (Level A) | Not Applicable | |
| 3.3.3 Error Suggestion:If an input error is automatically detected and suggestions for correction are known, then the suggestions are provided to the user, unless it would jeopardize the security or purpose of the content. (Level AA) | Not Applicable | |
3.3.4 Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data):For Web pages that cause legal commitments or financial transactions for the user to occur, that modify or delete user-controllable data in data storage systems, or that submit user test responses, at least one of the following is true: (Level AA)
- Reversible:Submissions are reversible.
- Checked:Data entered by the user is checked for input errors and the user is provided an opportunity to correct them.
- Confirmed:A mechanism is available for reviewing, confirming, and correcting information before finalizing the submission.
| Not Applicable | |
4.1.1 Parsing:In content implemented using markup languages, elements have complete start and end tags, elements are nested according to their specifications, elements do not contain duplicate attributes, and any IDs are unique, except where the specifications allow these features. (Level A)
Note:Start and end tags that are missing a critical character in their formation, such as a closing angle bracket or a mismatched attribute value quotation mark are not complete. | Not Applicable | |
4.1.2 Name, Role, Value:For all user interface components (including but not limited to: form elements, links and components generated by scripts), the name and role can be programmatically determined; states, properties, and values that can be set by the user can be programmatically set; and notification of changes to these items is available to user agents, including assistive technologies. (Level A)
Note:This success criterion is primarily for Web authors who develop or script their own user interface components. For example, standard HTML controls already meet this success criterion when used according to specification. | Not Applicable | |
Section 1194.21 Software Applications and Operating Systems
Criteria | Supporting Features | Remarks (e.g., definition, equivalent facilitation, scope of support provided) |
|---|
| 1194.21(a) When software is designed to run on a system that has a keyboard, product functions shall be executable from a keyboard where the function itself or the result of performing a function can be discerned textually. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.21(b) Applications shall not disrupt or disable activated features of other products that are identified as accessibility features, where those features are developed and documented according to industry standards. Applications also shall not disrupt or disable activated features of any operating system that are identified as accessibility features where the application programming interface for those accessibility features has been documented by the manufacturer of the operating system and is available to the product developer. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.21(c) A well-defined on-screen indication of the current focus shall be provided that moves among interactive interface elements as the input focus changes. The focus shall be programmatically exposed so that assistive technology can track focus and focus changes. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.21(d) Sufficient information about a user interface element including the identity, operation and state of the element shall be available to assistive technology. When an image represents a program element, the information conveyed by the image must also be available in text. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.21(e) When bitmap images are used to identify controls, status indicators, or other programmatic elements, the meaning assigned to those images shall be consistent throughout an application's performance. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.21(f) Textual information shall be provided through operating system functions for displaying text. The minimum information that shall be made available is text content, text input caret location, and text attributes. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.21(g) Applications shall not override user selected contrast and color selections and other individual display attributes. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.21(h) When animation is displayed, the information shall be displayable in at least one non-animated presentation mode at the option of the user. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.21(i) Color coding shall not be used as the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.21(j) When a product permits a user to adjust color and contrast settings, a variety of color selections capable of producing a range of contrast levels shall be provided. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.21(k) Software shall not use flashing or blinking text, objects, or other elements having a flash or blink frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.21(l) When electronic forms are used, the form shall allow people using assistive technology to access the information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues. | Not Applicable | |
Section 1194.22 Web-based Internet Information and Applications
Criteria | Supporting Features | Remarks (e.g., definition, equivalent facilitation, scope of support provided) |
|---|
| 1194.22(a) A text equivalent for every non-text element shall be provided (e.g., via "alt", "longdesc", or in element content). | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.22(b) Equivalent alternatives for any multimedia presentation shall be synchronized with the presentation. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.22(c) Web pages shall be designed so that all information conveyed with color is also available without color, for example from context or markup. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.22(d) Documents shall be organized so they are readable without requiring an associated style sheet. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.22(e) Redundant text links shall be provided for each active region of a server-side image map. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.22(f) Client-side image maps shall be provided instead of server-side image maps except where the regions cannot be defined with an available geometric shape. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.22(g) Row and column headers shall be identified for data tables. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.22(h) Markup shall be used to associate data cells and header cells for data tables that have two or more logical levels of row or column headers. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.22(i) Frames shall be titled with text that facilitates frame identification and navigation. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.22(j) Pages shall be designed to avoid causing the screen to flicker with a frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.22(k) A text-only page, with equivalent information or functionality, shall be provided to make a web site comply with the provisions of this part, when compliance cannot be accomplished in any other way. The content of the text-only page shall be updated whenever the primary page changes. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.22(l) When pages utilize scripting languages to display content, or to create interface elements, the information provided by the script shall be identified with functional text that can be read by assistive technology. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.22(m) When a web page requires that an applet, plug-in or other application be present on the client system to interpret page content, the page must provide a link to a plug-in or applet that complies with ยง1194.21(a) through (l). | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.22(n) When electronic forms are designed to be completed on-line, the form shall allow people using assistive technology to access the information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.22(o) A method shall be provided that permits users to skip repetitive navigation links. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.22(p) When a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted and given sufficient time to indicate more time is required. | Not Applicable | |
Note to 1194.22: The Board interprets paragraphs (a) through (k) of this section as consistent withthe following priority 1 Checkpoints of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 (WCAG 1.0) (May 5 1999)published by the Web Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium: Paragraph (a) - 1.1, (b) - 1.4,(c) - 2.1, (d) - 6.1, (e) - 1.2, (f) - 9.1, (g) - 5.1, (h) - 5.2, (i) - 12.1, (j) - 7.1, (k) - 11.4.
Section 1194.23 Telecommunications Products
Criteria | Supporting Features | Remarks (e.g., definition, equivalent facilitation, scope of support provided) |
|---|
| 1194.23(a) Telecommunications products or systems which provide a function allowing voice communication and which do not themselves provide a TTY functionality shall provide a standard non-acoustic connection point for TTYs. Microphones shall be capable of being turned on and off to allow the user to intermix speech with TTY use. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.23(b) Telecommunications products which include voice communication functionality shall support all commonly used cross-manufacturer non-proprietary standard TTY signal protocols. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.23(c) Voice mail, auto-attendant, and interactive voice response telecommunications systems shall be usable by TTY users with their TTYs. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.23(d) Voice mail, messaging, auto-attendant, and interactive voice response telecommunications systems that require a response from a user within a time interval, shall give an alert when the time interval is about to run out, and shall provide sufficient time for the user to indicate more time is required. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.23(e) Where provided, caller identification and similar telecommunications functions shall also be available for users of TTYs, and for users who cannot see displays. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.23(f) For transmitted voice signals, telecommunications products shall provide a gain adjustable up to a minimum of 20 dB. For incremental volume control, at least one intermediate step of 12 dB of gain shall be provided. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.23(g) If the telecommunications product allows a user to adjust the receive volume, a function shall be provided to automatically reset the volume to the default level after every use. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.23(h) Where a telecommunications product delivers output by an audio transducer which is normally held up to the ear, a means for effective magnetic wireless coupling to hearing technologies shall be provided. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.23(i) Interference to hearing technologies (including hearing aids, cochlear implants, and assistive listening devices) shall be reduced to the lowest possible level that allows a user of hearing technologies to utilize the telecommunications product. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.23(j) Products that transmit or conduct information or communication, shall pass through cross-manufacturer, non-proprietary, industry-standard codes, translation protocols, formats or other information necessary to provide the information or communication in a usable format. Technologies which use encoding, signal compression, format transformation, or similar techniques shall not remove information needed for access or shall restore it upon delivery. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.23(k)(1) For products which have mechanically operated controls or keys, controls and keys shall be tactilely discernible without activating the controls or keys. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.23(k)(2) For products which have mechanically operated controls or keys, controls do not require tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist to operate. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.23(k)(3) If key repeat is supported, the delay before repeat shall be adjustable to at least 2 seconds. Key repeat rate shall be adjustable to 2 seconds per character. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.23(k)(4) The status of all locking or toggle controls or keys shall be visually discernible, and discernible either through touch or sound. | Not Applicable | |
Section 1194.25 Self Contained, Closed Products
Criteria | Supporting Features | Remarks (e.g., definition, equivalent facilitation, scope of support provided) |
|---|
| 1194.25(a) Self contained products shall be usable by people with disabilities without requiring an end-user to attach assistive technology to the product. Personal headsets for private listening are not assistive technology. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.25(b) When a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted and given sufficient time to indicate more time is required. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.25(c) Where a product utilizes touchscreens or contact-sensitive controls, an input method shall be provided that complies with Section 1194.23 (k) (1) through (4). | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.25(d) When biometric forms of user identification or control are used, an alternative form of identification or activation, which does not require the user to possess particular biological characteristics, shall also be provided. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.25(e) When products provide auditory output, the audio signal shall be provided at a standard signal level through an industry standard connector that will allow for private listening. The product must provide the ability to interrupt, pause, and restart the audio at anytime. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.25(f) When products deliver voice output in a public area, incremental volume control shall be provided with output amplification up to a level of at least 65 dB. Where the ambient noise level of the environment is above 45 dB, a volume gain of at least 20 dB above the ambient level shall be user selectable. A function shall be provided to automatically reset the volume to the default level after every use. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.25(g) Color coding shall not be used as the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.25(h) When a product permits a user to adjust color and contrast settings, a range of color selections capable of producing a variety of contrast levels shall be provided. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.25(i) Products shall be designed to avoid causing the screen to flicker with a frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.25(j)(1) The position of any operable control shall be determined with respect to a vertical plane, which is 48 inches in length, centered on the operable control, and at the maximum protrusion of the product within the 48 inch length on products which are freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be used in one location and which have operable controls. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.25(j)(2) Where any operable control is 10 inches or less behind the reference plane, the height shall be 54 inches maximum and 15 inches minimum above the floor. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.25(j)(3) Where any operable control is more than 10 inches and not more than 24 inches behind the reference plane, the height shall be 46 inches maximum and 15 inches minimum above the floor. | Not Applicable | |
| 1194.25(j)(4) Operable controls shall not be more than 24 inches behind the reference plane. | Not Applicable | |