WCAG Guidelines

Principle 1 – Perceivable

Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive.

Guideline 1.1 – Text Alternatives

Provide text alternatives for any non-text content so that it can be changed into other forms people need, such as large print, braille, speech, symbols or simpler language.

• 1.1.1 Non-text content – Level A

Guideline 1.2 – Time-based Media

Provide alternatives for time-based media.

• 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) – Level A
• 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded) – Level A
• 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded) – Level A
• 1.2.4 Captions (Live) – Level AA
• 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded) – Level AA
• 1.2.6 Sign Language (Prerecorded) – Level AAA
• 1.2.7 Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded) – Level AAA
• 1.2.8 Media Alternative (Prerecorded) – Level AAA
• 1.2.9 Audio-only (Live) – Level AAA

Guideline 1.3 – Adaptable

Create content that can be presented in different ways (for example simpler layout) without losing information or structure.

• 1.3.1 Information and Relationships – Level A
• 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence – Level A
• 1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics – Level A
• 1.3.4 Orientation – Level A
• 1.3.5 Identify Input Purpose – Level AA
• 1.3.6 Identify Purpose – Level AAA

Guideline 1.4 – Distinguishable

Make it easier for users to see and hear content including separating foreground from background.

• 1.4.1 Use of Color – Level A
• 1.4.2 Audio Control – Level A
• 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) – Level AA
• 1.4.4 Resize Text – Level AA
• 1.4.5 Images of Text – Level AA
• 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced) – Level AAA
• 1.4.7 Low or No Background Audio – Level AAA
• 1.4.8 Visual Presentation – Level AAA
• 1.4.9 Images of Text (No Exception) – Level AAA
• 1.4.10 Reflow – Level AA
• 1.4.11 Non-Text Contrast – Level AA
• 1.4.12 Text Spacing – Level AA
• 1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus – Level AA

Principle 2 – Operable

User interface components and navigation must be operable.

Guideline 2.1 – Keyboard Accessible

Make all functionality available from a keyboard.

• 2.1.1 Keyboard – Level A
• 2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap – Level A
• 2.1.3 Keyboard (No Exceptions) – Level AAA
• 2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts – Level A

Guideline 2.2 – Enough Time

Provide users enough time to read and use content.

• 2.2.1 Timing Adjustable – Level A
• 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide – Level A
• 2.2.3 No Timing – Level AA
• 2.2.4 Interruptions – Level AAA
• 2.2.5 Re-authenticating – Level AAA
• 2.2.6 Timeouts – Level AAA

Guideline 2.3 – Seizures

Do not design content in a way that is known to cause seizures.

• 2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold
• 2.3.2 Three Flashes – Level AAA
• 2.3.3 Animation from Interactions – Level AAA

Guideline 2.4 – Navigable

Provide ways to help users navigate, find content, and determine where they are.

• 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks – Level A
• 2.4.2 Page Titled – Level A
• 2.4.3 Focus Order – Level A
• 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) – Level A
• 2.4.5 Multiple Ways – Level AA
• 2.4.6 Headings and Labels – Level AA
• 2.4.7 Focus Visible – Level AA
• 2.4.8 Location – Level AAA
• 2.4.9 Link Purpose (Link Only)
• 2.4.10 Identify Input Purpose – Level AAA

Guideline 2.5 Input Modalities

Make it easier for users to operate functionality through various inputs beyond keyboard.

• 2.5.1 Pointer Gestures – Level A
• 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation – Level A
• 2.5.3 Label in Name – Level A
• 2.5.4 Motion Actuation – Level A
• 2.5.5 Target Size – Level AAA
• 2.5.6 Concurrent Input Mechanisms – Level AAA

Principle 3 – Understandable

Information and the operation of user interface must be understandable.

Guideline 3.1 – Readable

Make text content readable and understandable.

• 3.1.1 Language of Page – Level A
• 3.1.2 Language of Parts – Level AA
• 3.1.3 Unusual Words – Level AAA
• 3.1.4 Abbreviations – Level AAA
• 3.1.5 Reading Level – Level AAA
• 3.1.6 Pronunciation – Level AAA

Guideline 3.2 – Predictable

Make Web pages appear and operate in predictable ways.

• 3.2.1 On Focus – Level A
• 3.2.2 On Input – Level A
• 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation – Level AA
• 3.2.4 Consistent Identification – Level AA
• 3.2.5 Change on Request – Level AAA

Guideline 3.3 – Input Assistance

Help users avoid and correct mistakes.

• 3.3.1 Error Identification – Level A
• 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions – Level A
• 3.3.3 Error Suggestion – Level AA
• 3.3.4 Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data) – Level AA
• 3.3.5 Help – Level AAA
• 3.3.6 Error Prevention (All) – Level AAA

Principle 4 – Robust

Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.

Guideline 4.1 – Compatible

Maximize compatibility with current and future user agents, including assistive technologies.

• 4.1.1 Parsing – Level A
• 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value – Level A
• 4.1.3 Status Messages – Level AA

1. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 by the W3C Accessibility Guidelines Working Group[↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩]
2. ICT Standards and Guidelines on the Federal Register[↩]