WCAG2 Guidelines

Text Alternatives

Guideline 1.1 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.
(Understanding Guideline 1.1)

Non-text Content

1.1.1 All non-text content that is presented to the user has a text alternative that serves the equivalent purpose, except for the situations listed below. (Level A)
(Understanding Success Criterion 1.1.1)

• Controls, Input: If non-text content is a control or accepts user input, then it has a name that describes its purpose. (Refer to Guideline 4.1 for additional requirements for controls and content that accepts user input.)

• Time-Based Media: If non-text content is time-based media, then text alternatives at least provide descriptive identification of the non-text content. (Refer to Guideline 1.2 for additional requirements for media.)

• Test: If non-text content is a test or exercise that would be invalid if presented in text, then text alternatives at least provide descriptive identification of the non-text content.

• Sensory: If non-text content is primarily intended to create a specific sensory experience, then text alternatives at least provide descriptive identification of the non-text content.

• CAPTCHA: If the purpose of non-text content is to confirm that content is being accessed by a person rather than a computer, then text alternatives that identify and describe the purpose of the non-text content are provided, and alternative forms of CAPTCHA using output modes for different types of sensory perception are provided to accommodate different disabilities.

• Decoration, Formatting, Invisible: If non-text content is pure decoration, is used only for visual formatting, or is not presented to users, then it is implemented in a way that it can be ignored by assistive technology.

Time Based Media

Guideline 1.2 Provide alternatives for time-based media (Understanding Guideline 1.2)

Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)

1.2.1 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)
(Understanding Success Criterion 1.2.1)

• 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.

Captions (Prerecorded)

1.2.2 Captions are provided for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media, except when the media is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such. (Level A)
(Understanding Success Criterion 1.2.2)

Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)

1.2.3 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)
(Understanding Success Criterion 1.2.3)

Captions (Live)

1.2.4 Captions are provided for all live audio content in synchronized media. (Level AA)
(Understanding Success Criterion 1.2.4)

Audio Description (Prerecorded)

1.2.5 Audio description is provided for all prerecorded video content in synchronized media. (Level AA)

Adaptable

Guideline 1.3 Create content that can be presented in different ways (for example simpler layout) without losing information or structure.
(Understanding Guideline 1.3)

Info and Relationships

1.3.1 Information, structure, and relationships conveyed through presentation can be programmatically determined or are available in text. (Level A)
(Understanding Success Criterion 1.3.1)

Meaningful Sequence

1.3.2 When the sequence in which content is presented affects its meaning, a correct reading sequence can be programmatically determined. (Level A)
(Understanding Success Criterion 1.3.2)

Sensory Characteristics

1.3.3 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)
(Understanding Success Criterion 1.3.3)

Distinguishable

Guideline 1.4 Make it easier for users to see and hear content including separating foreground from background. (Understanding Guideline 1.4)

Use of Color

1.4.1 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)
Understanding Success Criterion 1.4.1)
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.

Audio Control

1.4.2 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)
Understanding Success Criterion 1.4.2)
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.

Contrast (Minimum)

1.4.3 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)
(Understanding Success Criterion 1.4.3)

Resize text

1.4.4 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)
(Understanding Success Criterion 1.4.4)

Images of Text

1.4.5 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)
(Understanding Success Criterion 1.4.5)