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.
- Controls, Input
If non-text content is a control or accepts user input, then it has a name that describes its purpose. (Refer to Success Criterion 4.1.2 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.
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:
- 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 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.
Read moreAn 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.
Read moreCaptions are provided for all live audio content in synchronized media.
Read moreAudio description is provided for all prerecorded video content in synchronized media.
Read moreInformation, structure, and relationships conveyed through presentation can be programmatically determined or are available in text.
Read moreWhen the sequence in which content is presented affects its meaning, a correct reading sequence can be programmatically determined.
Read moreInstructions provided for understanding and operating content do not rely solely on sensory characteristics of components such as shape, color, size, visual location, orientation, or sound.
Read moreColor is not used as the only visual means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element.
Read moreIf 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.
Read moreWhere receiving and then removing pointer hover or keyboard focus triggers additional content to become visible and then hidden, the following are true:
- Dismissable
A mechanism is available to dismiss the additional content without moving pointer hover or keyboard focus, unless the additional content communicates an input error or does not obscure or replace other content;
- Hoverable
If pointer hover can trigger the additional content, then the pointer can be moved over the additional content without the additional content disappearing;
- Persistent
The additional content remains visible until the hover or focus trigger is removed, the user dismisses it, or its information is no longer valid.
Exception: The visual presentation of the additional content is controlled by the user agent and is not modified by the author.
Read moreAll 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.
Read moreIf 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.
Read moreFor each time limit that is set by the content, at least one of the following is true:
- 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.
For moving, blinking, scrolling, or auto-updating information, all of the following are true:
- 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.
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.
Read moreA mechanism is available to bypass blocks of content that are repeated on multiple Web pages.
Read moreWeb pages have titles that describe topic or purpose.
Read moreIf 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.
Read moreThe 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.
Read moreAll functionality that uses multipoint or path-based gestures for operation can be operated with a single pointer without a path-based gesture, unless a multipoint or path-based gesture is essential.
Read moreFor functionality that can be operated using a single pointer, at least one of the following is true:
- No Down-Event
The down-event of the pointer is not used to execute any part of the function; - Abort or Undo
Completion of the function is on the up-event, and a mechanism is available to abort the function before completion or to undo the function after completion; - Up Reversal
The up-event reverses any outcome of the preceding down-event; - Essential
Completing the function on the down-event is essential.
For user interface components with labels that include text or images of text, the name contains the text that is presented visually.
Read moreFunctionality that can be operated by device motion or user motion can also be operated by user interface components and responding to the motion can be disabled to prevent accidental actuation, except when:
- Supported Interface
The motion is used to operate functionality through an accessibility supported interface; - Essential
The motion is essential for the function and doing so would invalidate the activity.
The default human language of each Web page can be programmatically determined.
Read moreThe 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.
Read moreA mechanism is available for identifying specific definitions of words or phrases used in an unusual or restricted way, including idioms and jargon.
Read moreA mechanism for identifying the expanded form or meaning of abbreviations is available.
Read moreWhen text requires reading ability more advanced than the lower secondary education level after removal of proper names and titles, supplemental content, or a version that does not require reading ability more advanced than the lower secondary education level, is available.
Read moreA mechanism is available for identifying specific pronunciation of words where meaning of the words, in context, is ambiguous without knowing the pronunciation.
Read moreWhen any user interface component receives focus, it does not initiate a change of context.
Read moreChanging 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.
Read moreNavigational 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.
Read moreComponents that have the same functionality within a set of Web pages are identified consistently.
Read moreIf an input error is automatically detected, the item that is in error is identified and the error is described to the user in text.
Read moreLabels or instructions are provided when content requires user input.
Read moreIf 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.
Read moreContext-sensitive help is available.
Read moreFor Web pages that require the user to submit information, at least one of the following is true:
- 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.
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.
Read moreIn content implemented using markup languages, status messages can be programmatically determined through role or properties such that they can be presented to the user by assistive technologies without receiving focus.
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