Accessibility Principles
MU has adopted Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 AA, which defines four principles of accessibility for web content called POUR. Apply the following accessibility principles to make websites more accessible and improve the usability for all users.
Set Default Language
Make Content Easy to Understand
- Write content as clearly and simply as possible.
- Use plain language.
Apply Structure
- Give each page a descriptive and unique page title.
- Use headings (<h1>, <h2>, <h3>) to show content organization.
- Page Structure Concepts
Create Accessible Links
- Provide link text that describes where the link goes and gives meaning out of context.
- Avoid phrases like “click here,” “learn more” and “read more”.
- Underline links for quick identification.
- Do not underline non-link text.
Write effective link text
Use Color Appropriately
- Ensure the contrast ratio between text color and the background color is at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
- Avoid gold on white: Accessible Text & Color.
- Learn more about WCAG Success Criterion 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) AA.
- Go to Check Accessibility for a list of color checkers.
- Do not use color as the only method to convey meaning.
- Include an additional descriptive component such as text, patterns or shapes.
- Learn how to use color
Add Alternative Text
- Provide alternative (
alt) text to images that convey meaning. - Keep the
alttext short and concise (about 125 characters). - Hide images that do not convey meaning from screen readers.
- Use an empty alt value (
alt="")
- Use an empty alt value (
- Avoid images with text when possible. If necessary, add alt text.
Write effective alternative text
- How to Write Alt Text and Image Descriptions for the visually impaired
- Making Images Accessible
- WebAIM’s Alternative Text Tutorial
- W3C’s Images Concepts Tutorial
Create Accessible Tables
- Avoid using tables for layout.
- Structure tables using table headers (
th) and table data (td) elements. - Tables concepts tutorial
Make Media Accessible
If the website has embedded audio or videos, they must be accessible.
Ensure Keyboard-Only Functionality
Make sure all content on the website is usable with the keyboard.
- Designing for Keyboard Accessibility
- Do’s and don’ts
- Keyboard Accessibility
- Media Player Controls Should Be Keyboard Accessible, Screen Reader Compatible
Develop an Accessibility Statement
Consider creating an accessibility statement for your own website, mobile application, or other digital content. Users of your content will usually refer to accessibility statements when they encounter problems. Provide information that is useful to the users and in a place that is easy to find.
Check Accessibility
When an application (or authoring tool) allows for user-generated content, content authors must create digital information accessible to people with disabilities. As you design, develop, or create digital content, there are a few ways to check accessibility.
- Go to Check Accessibility to get started.