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 moreSign language interpretation is provided for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media.
Read moreWhere pauses in foreground audio are insufficient to allow audio descriptions to convey the sense of the video, extended audio description is provided for all prerecorded video content in synchronized media.
Read moreAn alternative for time-based media is provided for all prerecorded synchronized media and for all prerecorded video-only media.
Read moreAn alternative for time-based media that presents equivalent information for live audio-only content is provided.
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 moreContent does not restrict its view and operation to a single display orientation, such as portrait or landscape, unless a specific display orientation is essential.
Read moreFor prerecorded audio-only content that (1) contains primarily speech in the foreground, (2) is not an audio CAPTCHA or audio logo, and (3) is not vocalization intended to be primarily musical expression such as singing or rapping, at least one of the following is true:
- No Background
The audio does not contain background sounds. - Turn Off
The background sounds can be turned off. - 20 dB
The background sounds are at least 20 decibels lower than the foreground speech content, with the exception of occasional sounds that last for only one or two seconds.
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.
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.
Timing is not an essential part of the event or activity presented by the content, except for non-interactive synchronized media and real-time events.
Read moreInterruptions can be postponed or suppressed by the user, except interruptions involving an emergency.
Read moreWhen an authenticated session expires, the user can continue the activity without loss of data after re-authenticating.
Read moreUsers are warned of the duration of any user inactivity that could cause data loss, unless the data is preserved for more than 20 hours when the user does not take any actions.
Read moreWeb 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 moreWeb pages do not contain anything that flashes more than three times in any one second period.
Read moreMotion animation triggered by interaction can be disabled, unless the animation is essential to the functionality or the information being conveyed.
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 moreMore 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.
Read moreHeadings and labels describe topic or purpose.
Read moreAny keyboard operable user interface has a mode of operation where the keyboard focus indicator is visible.
Read moreInformation about the user's location within a set of Web pages is available.
Read moreA mechanism is available to allow the purpose of each link to be identified from link text alone, except where the purpose of the link would be ambiguous to users in general.
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.
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