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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.

17 success criteria found for Level A + AA and Wording theme

Success criterion 1.1.1 Non-text Content

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).

Success criterion 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded)

Level Level A, WCAG principle: Perceivable

Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY WORDING

Prerecorded videos with audio must have synchronised captions that include:

  • all speech and
  • relevant sound effects (like music, alarms, or laughter)

Success criterion 1.3.1 Info and Relationships

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:

  • semantic HTML (e.g. <label for="">, <ul>, <h1>), or
  • ARIA attributes (e.g. aria-describedby, role="group"),

so that assistive technologies can understand the structure.

Success criterion 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence

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.

Success criterion 1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics

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.

Success criterion 2.4.2 Page Titled

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.

Success criterion 3.1.1 Language of Page

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.

Success criterion 3.3.1 Error Identification

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).

Success criterion 1.2.4 Captions (Live)

Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Perceivable

Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY WORDING

Live video with audio must include real-time captions that cover:

  • speech and
  • important sound effects (like music, alarms, or laughter)

Success criterion 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded)

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:

  • an audio description,
  • unless it is already explained in the main audio track

Success criterion 2.4.6 Headings and Labels

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.

Success criterion 3.1.2 Language of Parts

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.

Success criterion 3.3.3 Error Suggestion

Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Understandable

Assigned to the following themes: FORMS WORDING

Errors and validation messages must show text that:

  • explains the problem and
  • gives suggestions for how to fix it (like "enter at least 8 characters")