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.
28 success criteria found for Level A, AA, AAA and Wording theme
Level Level A, WCAG principle: Perceivable
Assigned to the following themes: CODE AND LABELS SENSORY WORDING
All images and other non-text content (like icons, charts, audio, CAPTCHAs, or controls) must have a descriptive text alternative that conveys their meaning. Purely decorative content can be hidden from assistive technologies (e.g. using an empty alt attribute).
Level Level A, WCAG principle: Perceivable
Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY WORDING
Prerecorded audio-only content must have a text transcript. Prerecorded video-only content must have a text or audio description.
Level Level A, WCAG principle: Perceivable
Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY WORDING
Prerecorded videos with audio must have synchronised captions that include:
Level Level A, WCAG principle: Perceivable
Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY WORDING
Important visual content in prerecorded videos must be described using:
Level Level A, WCAG principle: Perceivable
Assigned to the following themes: CODE AND LABELS WORDING
Visual information and relationships (like labels, headings, or groupings) must also be conveyed in the code using:
so that assistive technologies can understand the structure.
Level Level A, WCAG principle: Perceivable
Assigned to the following themes: CODE AND LABELS WORDING
Content must follow a logical and meaningful order in the code so it can be understood correctly by assistive technologies even if the visual layout differs.
Level Level A, WCAG principle: Perceivable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS SENSORY WORDING
Instructions and descriptions must not rely on sensory features alone, like color, shape, size, visual location, or sound.
Always provide additional text to clarify meaning.
Level Level A, WCAG principle: Operable
Assigned to the following themes: CODE AND LABELS WHOLE SITE WORDING
Each page must have a unique and descriptive <title> that reflects its topic or purpose.
Level Level A, WCAG principle: Operable
Assigned to the following themes: CODE AND LABELS WORDING
The purpose of each link must be clear from:
Level Level A, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: CODE AND LABELS WORDING
Each page must have a <html lang=""> attribute that matches the main language of the page.
Level Level A, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS WORDING
Errors and validation must be clearly identified and described in text, not just visually (like color or highlighting).
Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Perceivable
Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY WORDING
Live video with audio must include real-time captions that cover:
Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Perceivable
Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY WORDING
Important visual content in prerecorded videos with audio must be described using:
Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Operable
Assigned to the following themes: CODE AND LABELS WORDING
Headings must describe what follows.
Labels and buttons must clearly communicate what information is needed or what action will happen.
Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: CODE AND LABELS WORDING
Any parts of the content in a different language must be marked with the correct lang attribute.
Expressions borrowed from another language (like "déjà vu" in English) do not need this, unless pronunciation or understanding would be affected.
Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS WORDING
Errors and validation messages must show text that:
Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS WORDING
Important forms like a legal agreement or submitting financial information offer the opportunity to check the information entered before sending.
Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Perceivable
Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY WORDING
All prerecorded videos with audio must include a sign language interpretation.
Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Perceivable
Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY WORDING
Prerecorded videos must include extended audio descriptions if important visual content like:
can't be described during normal playback.
Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Perceivable
Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY WORDING
Prerecorded videos must have a full text alternative that includes:
even if captions and audio descriptions are already available.
Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Perceivable
Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY WORDING
Live audio-only content must include a real-time text alternative, such as:
Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Operable
Assigned to the following themes: CODE AND LABELS WORDING
The purpose of each link must be clear:
Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: WORDING
Unusual terms, jargon, or figurative language should be:
Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: WORDING
Abbreviations and acronyms should be:
Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: WORDING
If content requires reading skills above lower secondary education (around 9th grade), provide:
to help with understanding.
Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: WORDING
If a word can be pronounced in different ways with different meanings, the intended meaning must be clarified to avoid confusion or ambiguity.
Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS WORDING
Provide additional help (like text instructions, help links, or tooltips) when label alone might be ambiguous or confusing.
Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS WORDING
Before submitting, all forms must allow: