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WCAG Explorer (beta)

This resource is designed for anyone eager to master digital accessibility. Explore WCAG success criteria through clear, easy-to-understand descriptions. We owe a special "hat tip" to Johannes Lehner’s WCAG Card Deck, which served as the inspiration for this project.

We plan to expand this library over time, so please check back regularly for updates.

Filters

Theme

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  • Sensory

Categories

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  • 1.4 Distinguishable

Principles

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  • Perceivable

9 success criteria found for Sensory theme and Perceivable principle and 1.4 Distinguishable category

Success criterion 1.4.1 Use of Color

Level Level A, WCAG principle: Perceivable

Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY

Colour must not be the only way to convey information.

Always provide an additional visual cue, like icon, text label, underline, shape, or pattern (e.g. striped, solid).

Success criterion 1.4.2 Audio Control

Level Level A, WCAG principle: Perceivable

Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY

If audio plays automatically for more than 3 seconds, it must be possible to:

  • pause the audio,
  • stop the audio, or
  • adjust the volume,

without using system-wide controls.

Success criterion 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast [2.1 and 2.2]

Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Perceivable

Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY

Interactive controls (e.g. buttons, form fields, focus indicators) and graphics that convey meaning (e.g. icons, charts, graph lines) must have a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 against adjacent colours.

Success criterion 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)

Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Perceivable

Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY ZOOM AND LEGIBILITY

Text contrast against its background must be at least:

  • 4.5:1 for normal text, or
  • 3:1 for large text (over 24px, or bold and over 19px).

Success criterion 1.4.5 Images of Text

Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Perceivable

Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY ZOOM AND LEGIBILITY

Text must be actual text, not images of text, unless a specific visual presentation is absolutely necessary (e.g. logo).

Success criterion 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced)

Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Perceivable

Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY ZOOM AND LEGIBILITY

Text contrast against its background must be at least:

  • 7:1 for normal text, or
  • 4.5:1 for large text (over 24px, or bold and over 19px)

Success criterion 1.4.7 Low or No Background Audio

Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Perceivable

Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY

For prerecorded audio with speech, any background sound must be:

  • at least 20dB lower than the speech, or
  • there must be a way to turn it off

Success criterion 1.4.8 Visual Presentation

Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Perceivable

Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY ZOOM AND LEGIBILITY

Blocks of text (like paragraphs) must:

  • have a line height of at least 1.5,
  • not be justified, and
  • stay within 80 characters (or 40 for CJK scripts)

allow users to adjust spacing and colors using custom styles.

Success criterion 1.4.9 Images of Text (No Exception)

Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Perceivable

Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY ZOOM AND LEGIBILITY

Text must be actual text, not images of text (no exception, not even for design or aesthetic reasons).