WCAG 1.1.1 – Non-text Content
Non-text content (images, icons, charts) has text alternatives that convey meaning or purpose.
Accessibility Glossary
Quick reference for WCAG 2.2, EAA, and Section 508 requirements. Each entry explains what the rule means, why it matters, and shows real code examples of what fails and what works.
Use this when auditing sites, fixing issues, or understanding compliance requirements. Search by standard (WCAG, EAA, ADA) or browse by topic.
Disclaimer
I’m not a lawyer. This glossary is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For legal guidance, consult a qualified attorney.
A
A/B Testing
Comparing two versions of a design to see which performs better on a goal.
Accessibility Debt
Accumulated accessibility issues that become harder to fix over time.
Accessible Authentication
Login and verification methods that do not rely on a single sensory ability, memory, or time limit.
Accessible Name
The text announced by assistive technologies to identify an interface element.
A screen reader announces the label + input together.
Affordance
Visual cues that indicate how an element can be used.
Alternative Text
Forms
Media
Text equivalents for meaningful images so screen reader users get the same information.
ARIA
Semantic attributes that help assistive technologies understand complex UI components when native HTML is insufficient.
Assistive Technology
Hardware or software used by people with disabilities, such as screen readers, magnifiers, or switch devices.
Audio Description
Forms
Media
Narration that describes important visual information in video for people who cannot see it.
Auto-Complete
Helping users fill inputs faster and with fewer errors using suggested values.
B
Breadcrumbs
A navigation aid showing where users are within a site hierarchy.
C
CAPTCHA Alternatives
Forms
Anti-bot mechanisms that remain usable for people with disabilities (avoiding visual-only puzzles).
Captions
Text alternatives for spoken audio content, synchronized with video.
Cognitive Accessibility
Designing interfaces that support users with attention, memory, or processing differences.
Cognitive Load
Forms
Content
The mental effort required to process information or complete a task.
Color Contrast
Color
Sufficient contrast between foreground and background to ensure readability.
Low contrast
High contrast
Color Independence
Avoiding reliance on color alone to communicate meaning (use text, icons, patterns).
Consistency
Using familiar patterns and behaviors throughout an interface.
Consistent Identification
Using the same labels and names for the same components and actions across the site.
Consistent Navigation
Navigation
Keyboard
Keeping navigation placement and behavior predictable across pages.
Content Reflow
Layouts that adapt at different zoom levels without breaking, overlapping, or hiding content.
Conversion Funnel
Steps users take toward a goal, like signup or purchase.
D
Dark Patterns
Deceptive design tactics that push users into unintended actions.
E
Empty States
Helpful guidance shown when there is no content or data yet.
No reports yet
Run your first scan to generate an accessibility report.
Error Identification
Clearly indicating when and where an error has occurred.
Enter a 5-digit code (example: 12345).
Error Prevention
Design patterns that reduce the likelihood of mistakes.
Error Recovery
Helping users understand and fix mistakes when they happen.
Error Suggestion
Providing helpful fixes when users encounter an input error.
Enter a 5-digit code (example: 12345).
F
Feedback
System responses that confirm an action or state change.
Focus Management
Keyboard
Controlling where keyboard focus moves, especially after dynamic updates.
Focus Visible
Keyboard
A clear visual indicator showing where keyboard focus is on the page.
Try keyboard focus: the outline should be obvious.
Forgiveness
Allowing users to undo actions or recover easily from mistakes.
Form Validation
Checking user input and providing clear guidance on errors.
Enter a 5-digit code (example: 12345).
Friction
Anything that slows users down or increases effort during a task.
G
Gestalt Principles
Visual grouping rules (proximity, similarity, etc.) that affect scanning and comprehension.
H
Headings Structure
Navigation
Semantics
Using headings in a logical outline so users can scan and navigate efficiently.
H1: Page title
H2: Section
H3: Subsection
H2: Next section
Heuristic Evaluation
Reviewing an interface against established usability principles.
High Contrast Mode
Color
Content
Supporting system or user high-contrast settings so content stays readable.
Hit Area
The clickable/tappable area of a control—larger targets reduce errors.
I
Information Architecture
How content is organized, labeled, and structured.
Interaction Cost
The total effort required to complete an interaction (clicks, typing, decisions).
J
Journey Mapping
Visualizing user steps, goals, pain points, and emotions across an experience.
K
Keyboard Navigation
Navigation
Keyboard
Ensuring all functionality works without a mouse.
All interactive elements must be reachable and operable via keyboard.
L
Label Association
Programmatically tying labels to inputs so assistive tech announces them correctly.
A screen reader announces the label + input together.
Landmarks
Navigation
Semantics
Semantic regions (header, nav, main, footer) that help users navigate quickly.
header
nav
main
footer
Learnability
How easy it is for users to accomplish tasks the first time they encounter an interface.
Link Purpose
Making link text descriptive so users understand where it goes without extra context.
Unclear
Click here
Live Regions
ARIA technique for announcing dynamic content updates to assistive technologies.
M
Mental Model
The expectations users bring based on prior experience.
Microcopy
Small pieces of text that guide users and reduce confusion.
Microinteractions
Small interface moments (like toggles, animations, confirmations) that add clarity.
Motion Sensitivity
Reducing motion or providing controls to prevent dizziness or discomfort.
Respect
prefers-reduced-motion and avoid unnecessary animation.
N
Non-Text Content
Images, icons, charts, and media that need text alternatives to be accessible.
O
Onboarding
Helping new users understand value quickly and complete key setup steps.
Orientation Support
Allowing use in portrait and landscape where possible, especially on mobile.
P
Plain Language
Clear, straightforward wording that reduces misunderstanding and cognitive effort.
Progressive Disclosure
Revealing information gradually to reduce overwhelm.
Advanced settings
R
Readable Text
Content that uses legible fonts, sufficient size, spacing, and line length.
Reading Order
Keyboard
Content
Ensuring content is announced in a sensible sequence for keyboard and screen reader users.
Recognition over Recall
Designing interfaces that minimize memory burden.
Reduced Motion
Respecting prefers-reduced-motion and avoiding unnecessary animation.
Respect
prefers-reduced-motion and avoid unnecessary animation.
Resize Text
Supporting text zoom without clipping, overlapping, or losing content.
Responsive Design
Layouts that adapt to different screen sizes and devices.
S
Scannability
Making content easy to skim using headings, spacing, and emphasis.
Screen Reader
Software that converts on-screen content into speech or braille output.
Semantic HTML
Using HTML elements according to their meaning to improve accessibility and structure.
Skeuomorphism
Designing digital interfaces to resemble real-world objects to aid familiarity.
Skip Link
Navigation
Keyboard
A mechanism that lets keyboard users bypass repeated content.
Skip to main content
Main content starts here.
Status Messages
Non-visual notifications that inform users about changes or results.
T
Task Completion
Designing flows that help users successfully finish goals.
Text Spacing
Ensuring content remains usable when users adjust line-height, letter spacing, and word spacing.
Time Limits
Restrictions that may prevent users from completing tasks unless adjustable or extendable.
Tooltips
Keyboard
Supplemental hints that must also work via keyboard and not block other content.
Tooltips should work on focus and not trap users.
Touch Target Size
Ensuring interactive elements are large enough to activate reliably.
U
Usability
How easy, efficient, and satisfying something is to use.
User Control
Allowing users to initiate, pause, or stop actions.
User Flow
The path a user takes to complete a task.
V
Visual Hierarchy
Using layout, size, and contrast to guide attention.
W
Wayfinding
Helping users understand where they are, where they can go, and how to get back.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
WCAG
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are international standards developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to make digital content accessible to people with disabilities. WCAG defines testable success criteria organized under four principles—Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust—and is commonly used as the technical baseline for accessibility requirements worldwide.
Showing all WCAG criteria
WCAG 1.2.1 – Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)
Prerecorded audio-only or video-only content has a text alternative.
WCAG 1.2.2 – Captions (Prerecorded)
Prerecorded video with sound includes synchronized captions.
WCAG 1.2.3 – Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)
Important visual information in prerecorded video is available via audio description or a text alternative.
WCAG 1.2.4 – Captions (Live)
Live video with audio has real-time captions.
WCAG 1.2.5 – Audio Description (Prerecorded)
Prerecorded video includes audio description for visual content not in the main audio track.
WCAG 1.2.6 – Sign Language (Prerecorded)
Prerecorded video provides sign-language interpretation.
WCAG 1.2.7 – Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded)
Extended audio description is provided for complex or fast-paced prerecorded video.
WCAG 1.2.8 – Media Alternative (Prerecorded)
A full text alternative is provided for prerecorded synchronized media.
WCAG 1.2.9 – Audio-only (Live)
Live audio-only content has a text alternative.
WCAG 1.3.1 – Info and Relationships
Structure and relationships (headings, lists, labels) are conveyed in code, not just visually.
WCAG 1.3.2 – Meaningful Sequence
Reading and focus order follow a logical, meaningful sequence.
WCAG 1.3.3 – Sensory Characteristics
Instructions do not rely only on shape, color, or location.
WCAG 1.3.4 – Orientation
Content works in both portrait and landscape orientations unless a specific orientation is essential.
WCAG 1.3.5 – Identify Input Purpose
Common form fields are programmatically identified so their purpose is machine-readable.
WCAG 1.3.6 – Identify Purpose
Components and regions expose their purpose so UAs can adapt or simplify the interface.
WCAG 1.4.1 – Use of Color
Color is not the only visual means of conveying information or prompting action.
WCAG 1.4.10 – Reflow
Content reflows to fit small viewports without two-way scrolling.
WCAG 1.4.11 – Non-text Contrast
Essential icons, controls, and focus indicators have sufficient contrast.
WCAG 1.4.12 – Text Spacing
Content stays usable when users increase spacing between lines, paragraphs, and letters.
WCAG 1.4.13 – Content on Hover or Focus
Content that appears on hover/focus can be dismissed, moved, and remains visible as needed.
WCAG 1.4.2 – Audio Control
Users can pause or stop any audio that plays automatically for more than a few seconds.
WCAG 1.4.3 – Contrast (Minimum)
Text and images of text have sufficient contrast with their background.
WCAG 1.4.4 – Resize Text
Text can be resized up to 200% without loss of content or functionality.
WCAG 1.4.5 – Images of Text
Text is not presented as an image except where essential (e.g. logos).
WCAG 1.4.6 – Contrast (Enhanced)
Text meets a higher contrast threshold than the minimum.
WCAG 1.4.7 – Low or No Background Audio
Background audio does not overpower or interfere with foreground speech.
WCAG 1.4.8 – Visual Presentation
Users can control visual presentation of blocks of text (line length, spacing, etc.).
WCAG 1.4.9 – Images of Text (No Exception)
Text is never presented as an image, with no exceptions.
WCAG 2.1.1 – Keyboard
All functionality is available via keyboard alone.
WCAG 2.1.2 – No Keyboard Trap
Focus never gets trapped in a component when using keyboard.
WCAG 2.1.3 – Keyboard (No Exception)
All content is operable by keyboard with no exceptions.
WCAG 2.1.4 – Character Key Shortcuts
Single-character keyboard shortcuts can be turned off, changed, or limited to when a component has focus.
WCAG 2.2.1 – Timing Adjustable
Users can turn off, adjust, or extend time limits where possible.
WCAG 2.2.2 – Pause, Stop, Hide
Users can pause, stop, or hide moving, blinking, or auto-updating content.
WCAG 2.2.3 – No Timing
Content does not require time limits, except where timing is essential.
WCAG 2.2.4 – Interruptions
Users can postpone or suppress non-essential interruptions.
WCAG 2.2.5 – Re-authenticating
Users re-authenticating are not forced to lose their work.
WCAG 2.2.6 – Timeouts
If a timeout is essential, users are informed about its length and impact.
WCAG 2.3.1 – Three Flashes or Below Threshold
Content does not flash more than three times per second or stays below safe thresholds.
WCAG 2.3.2 – Three Flashes
No content flashes more than three times per second.
WCAG 2.3.3 – Animation from Interactions
Users can disable non-essential animation triggered by interactions.
WCAG 2.4.1 – Bypass Blocks
Users can skip repeated blocks of content like navigation.
WCAG 2.4.10 – Section Headings
Content is organized with section headings.
WCAG 2.4.11 – Focus Not Obscured (Minimum)
Focus indicators are not fully hidden by other content.
WCAG 2.4.12 – Focus Not Obscured (Enhanced)
Focused elements are fully visible when they receive focus.
WCAG 2.4.13 – Focus Appearance
Focus indicators are sufficiently large and have strong contrast.
WCAG 2.4.2 – Page Titled
Each page has a descriptive, informative title.
WCAG 2.4.3 – Focus Order
Focus moves through components in a logical order.
WCAG 2.4.4 – Link Purpose (In Context)
Link purpose is clear from link text and/or surrounding context.
WCAG 2.4.5 – Multiple Ways
More than one way exists to find most pages (e.g. navigation, search, sitemap).
WCAG 2.4.6 – Headings and Labels
Headings and labels describe the topic or purpose of their content.
WCAG 2.4.7 – Focus Visible
Keyboard focus is always visible.
WCAG 2.4.8 – Location
Users can determine where they are within a set of pages.
WCAG 2.4.9 – Link Purpose (Link Only)
Link purpose is clear from the link text alone.
WCAG 2.5.1 – Pointer Gestures
Complex gestures have simple alternatives that require only a single pointer.
WCAG 2.5.2 – Pointer Cancellation
Pointer actions can be cancelled or are reversible to prevent accidental activation.
WCAG 2.5.3 – Label in Name
The accessible name of a control includes its visible label.
WCAG 2.5.4 – Motion Actuation
Features that respond to motion can be disabled or have alternatives.
WCAG 2.5.5 – Target Size
Targets are large enough or spaced to be easy to activate.
WCAG 2.5.6 – Concurrent Input Mechanisms
Content does not restrict the use of multiple input methods.
WCAG 2.5.7 – Dragging Movements
Dragging actions have simple alternatives like single clicks or taps.
WCAG 2.5.8 – Target Size (Minimum)
Common targets meet minimum size or spacing requirements.
WCAG 3.1.1 – Language of Page
The default human language of each page is identified in the code.
WCAG 3.1.2 – Language of Parts
Passages or phrases in another language are identified.
WCAG 3.1.3 – Unusual Words
Unusual, technical, or idiomatic terms are explained.
WCAG 3.1.4 – Abbreviations
Abbreviations are expanded or a way is provided to understand them.
WCAG 3.1.5 – Reading Level
Content that is more complex than lower secondary level has a simpler alternative.
WCAG 3.1.6 – Pronunciation
Users can determine the pronunciation of words where needed.
WCAG 3.2.1 – On Focus
Focusing an element does not cause unexpected major changes.
WCAG 3.2.2 – On Input
Changing a form control does not trigger unexpected major changes.
WCAG 3.2.3 – Consistent Navigation
Repeated navigation appears in a consistent order across pages.
WCAG 3.2.4 – Consistent Identification
Components with the same function are identified consistently.
WCAG 3.2.5 – Change on Request
Major changes occur only when users initiate them.
WCAG 3.2.6 – Consistent Help
Help is offered in a consistent location across pages where it is repeated.
WCAG 3.3.1 – Error Identification
Input errors are clearly indicated and described to the user.
WCAG 3.3.2 – Labels or Instructions
Forms provide labels or instructions so users know what to do.
WCAG 3.3.3 – Error Suggestion
Where possible, error messages suggest how to fix the problem.
WCAG 3.3.4 – Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data)
For important transactions, users can review, correct, and confirm information.
WCAG 3.3.5 – Help
Context-sensitive help is available for complex tasks.
WCAG 3.3.6 – Error Prevention (All)
For all important submissions, users can review and correct information before finalizing.
WCAG 3.3.7 – Redundant Entry
Users are not forced to re-enter information they have already provided, unless needed for security.
WCAG 3.3.8 – Accessible Authentication (Minimum)
Authentication avoids cognitive tests or provides accessible alternatives.
WCAG 3.3.9 – Accessible Authentication (Enhanced)
Authentication is designed to minimize cognitive effort as much as possible.
WCAG 4.1.2 – Name, Role, Value
UI components expose correct name, role, state, and value in code.
WCAG 4.1.3 – Status Messages
Status messages are programmatically conveyed so they are announced by assistive tech.