Here is what you can do on a11y.colorado.edu:
- Read about specific blind and low vision accessibility issues
- Read through the WCAG 2.1 standard
- Make connections between specific user issues and the WCAG 2.1 standard
Need more information?
Title | Short Description | Video available |
---|---|---|
Abbreviations Lead to Confusion | Abbreviations used lead to confusion and misunderstanding | No |
Application Incompatible with Screen Reader/Browser Combination | Software/applications behave differently on various browsers, can lead to application being accessible on one browser and not another | No |
Buttons/Links Have Labels with Extraneous Characters | Extraneous characters make it more difficult to read intended labels | Yes |
CAPTCHA Lacks Accessible Way to Complete | Captcha challenge may be fully dependent on sight, or aspects of completing the challenge are not accessible by using only the keyboard | No |
Change in Content without Audible Cue | Content changes without any trigger to the screen reader or magnifier to alert the user | Yes |
Checkboxes/Radio Buttons Improperly Labeled | Radio button/check box either lacks a label or is inappropriately labeled | No |
Clickable Elements are not Accessible with a Keyboard | User can only access controls with a mouse, instead of both mouse and keyboard | Yes |
Clickable Elements Behave in an Unpredictable Manner | The function of an element should be contextually and easily determinable | No |
Clickable Elements Provide Only Visual Effects | Screen reader user clicks on an element but cannot tell if anything happens, because it is purely visual | No |
Color Alone Conveys Meaning | There is no second means of communicating information for users who cannot determine color | No |
Color Contrast Does Not Meet Specifications | Lack of color contrast makes it difficult or impossible for a user with low vision or color blindness to see all content | No |
Content Appears in Rotating Presentation | rotating content displays in a way that is confusing to or cannot be controlled by screen reader user | No |
Content Is Not Keyboard Accessible | Information or functions are not fully accessible using only the keyboard | No |
Content Lacks Way for User to Control It | Content behaves in a way that makes it difficult for user to control, particularly as a result of the blindness or how assistive technology works | Yes |
Controls Inconsistently Labeled | Controls are labelled differently across pages. | No |
Default Entry Remains in Edit Box | The default text in an edit box remains when user types in new information | No |
Element Does Not Indicate Its Current State | Active state is only indicated visually with no indication to screen reader software | Yes |
Element does not Indicate User Can Interact with It | Screen reader does not recognize that an element is clickable, even though visually it appears clickable | Yes |
Element Looks Visually Different from How It Behaves for Screen Reader | There is inconsistency between how an element appears visually and how it is defined programmatically | No |
Error Message does not Provide Specific or understandable Information | There is no understandable or specific information about the problem when an error is made | Yes |
Errors in forms do not get focus | When there is an error, focus does not change to help correct the error | Yes |
Excessive Content Is Difficult to Manage | Amount of content on page is overwhelming | Yes |
Expanded/Collapsed State Not Indicated | Expanded and collapsed content state not indicated to screen reader | No |
External Document Used in Place of Active Web Application | A link leads to a static document, often a PDF, when an active web application would have more functionality | No |
External Documents not Accessible | User cannot access all content or complete all tasks contained in external documents | No |
Extraneous Content Interferes with Navigation | Content not related to main purpose of page interferes with navigation | No |
Feedback about Errors is not timely | A user is not immediately made aware of an error | Yes |
Fixed/Sticky Menu Bar Interferes with Access to Other Navigation Tools | Fixed/sticky menu bars sometimes interfere with ability to see content and to understand relationship of content | No |
Fixed/Sticky Navigation Menu Blocks Text | Location of fixed/sticky navigation menu interferes with magnified text | No |
Flow sequence improperly defined | Flow sequence defined so that content is provided to screen readers out of order. | No |
Focus changes in form entry | Form entry causes an unexpected focus change - sometimes due to page reload | No |
Form Entry Instructions are Absent, Confusing, or Out of Place | User has difficulty completing a form because instructions are inadequate | No |
Form Entry Leads to Content Change without Indicating Change Occurred | Subsequent options change as result of form entry, but no notification to assistive technology | No |
Form Input Generates New Information without Notification | User inputs information into a form field and there is a change in surrounding content, but without audible cue | Yes |
Google Sheets Lacks Proper Headers | Google sheets does not allow user to create proper accessible headers | No |
Graphics/Images Unclearly Labeled/Described or Unlabeled/not described | Graphics and images have no or confusing text associated with them | Yes |
Hamburger/Gear Menus Lack Non Visual Markup | Hamburger and gear menus are unidentifiable to a screen reader user | No |
Headings not Properly Nested | Headings skip levels or are used for purposes other than what they are intended for | No |
Headings not Used to Provide Structure | There are no headings or, heading tags are used inappropriately such as, for visual esthetics | Yes |
Image without Important Information Appears to a Screen Reader | Unimportant graphics have either no alt text or alt text that does not contribute to understanding page content | No |
Impossible to Determine Current Location in Navigation without Vision | Information about where user is within navigation is only portrayed visually | No |
Inadequate Separation Between Elements | No programmatic differentiation between elements | No |
Inadequate Time for Response | An element with important information does not give user adequate time to respond before disappearing | No |
Inconsistency Between Cursor Location and Screen Reader Output in Combo Box | The selection a screen reader reads out is different from where the cursor visually appears to be | No |
Information not structured to reflect critical relationships | Information structure is not defined for screen reader to determine relationship | Yes |
Information Structure Does not Reflect Content Importance | Screen reader navigates through content in a different order than visual indicators might suggest a user should, making content confusing or seem out of order | Yes |
Initial Focus Does not Help with Navigation | Initial focus when page loads is on a location other than what a user is likely to want to find | Yes |
Input/Text Area Form Elements Lack Meaningful Label | The input / text area element lacks a label or is improperly labeled | No |
Instructions Based on Visual Information | Following instructions depends on a user being able to see color, location, shape, etc. | No |
Interacting with an Element Automatically Selects an Option | Content or options change as a result of user interacting with element | No |
Interaction Required in Combo Box to Announce Value | When screen reader user arrives in combo box, value not read until user interacts | No |
Interactive Elements Labeled Incorrectly | Label assigned to clickable element is confusing or misleading | No |
Interface Components Are Out of Order | There should be a hierarchy of the element followed by information about or actions on it | No |
Lack of Meaningful Focus | The cursor or focus location does not help in navigation upon arriving on new page | No |
Lack of Separation Between Individual Controls | Screen reader software treats a group of controls as a single unit | No |
Link Does Not Exist in Text that Refers to It | There is reference to a link elsewhere on the page, but the link should also appear in the text where it is referred to | No |
Link is Unclearly Labeled or Unlabeled | There is no or unclear text associated with a link | Yes |
Link/Button Names Do Not Make Sense Out of Context | Information surrounding a link/button is necessary to understand what the link/button does | Yes |
Lists Improperly Defined | Incorrect semantec markup leads to incorrect identification of lists by screen reader | No |
Magnification results in lost content | Content becomes inaccessible when display is magnified. | Yes |
Media Has No Transcript | There is no transcript available for visual, audio, or audio/visual media | No |
Media Player Controls are not Keyboard Accessible | Screen reader user cannot start, stop, pause, fast forward, rewind, etc. media because of inaccessible controls | No |
Mouse Over Needed to Activate and View Content | Mouse over generates image or menu that is impossible or difficult to view because of separation between control and location of content to view | Yes |
Moving Graphics Challenge Limited Vision | Moving graphics interfere with magnifier user’s orientation and movement around the page | Yes |
Multiple select Menu/List Box Lacks Accessible Markup | Multiple select menus/List Boxes have intrinsic navigation issues for a screen reader user | No |
Nested Content Scrolls | Windows and frames that scroll can cause navigation challenges and visual disorientation for magnifier users | No |
No Alternative Way to Access Important Content in Visual Media | Visual information should appear in alternative forms | No |
Page Refreshes While User Navigates Combo Box | Navigating the selections in a combo box with a keyboard leads to unintended page changes | No |
Page Title Does Not Provide Information about Page Content | The page lacks a title element | No |
Pop Up Boxes Fill Visible Screen | Magnifier user cannot access surrounding content or controls because of relative size of pop up box | No |
Punctuation or Spelling Incorrect | Spelling or punctuation errors create confusion | No |
Regions and Landmarks not used to Organize Content | Regions or landmarks can provide a useful way for a screen reader user to navigate content and the absence or misuse can make it slower or harder to access content | Yes |
Related Objects Spaced too Far Apart | Magnifier user has trouble finding related objects due to where they are placed | No |
Repetitive or Unnecessary Navigation Required Before Main Content | Main content is hidden behind extraneous content | No |
Required Interaction not Predictable | A novel way of completing a task or presenting information makes it difficult to figure out the appropriate interaction | Yes |
Same Link or control Text Goes to Multiple Destinations | links to different URL's or controls with different functions have the same text | No |
Screen Reader Causes Adobe Flash Player to Crash | Adobe Flash Player crashes when some screen readers are running | No |
Screen Reader Focus not Move to or Remain on Dialogue Box | A screen reader user's navigation of dialogue box not assisted by automatic movement of focus | No |
Screen Reader Focus on Hidden Content | Screen reader user can navigate content hidden to other users | No |
Screen Reader Refresh Necessary to Show Content | Screen reader does not recognize a change in content until it has been refreshed | No |
Sections Poorly Labeled | Elements used to define sections have names that are confusing | No |
Skip to Main Content does not Work or Is Not Used | Their either is no "skip to main content" link, or it does not work | Yes |
Tab Order does Not Make Sense | Controls are navigated in illogical order using the tab button | No |
Table Lacks Appropriate Row and Column Headers and/or Proper Table Structure | Tables are difficult to read because columns and rows do not have appropriate labels and/or structure | Yes |
Tables Used for Visual Layout of Non-Tabular Information | Tables are used for reasons other than organization, most often visual layout | Yes |
Tabs not properly defined | Tabs not defined and managed as tabs | No |
Text Does not Magnify with Screen Magnification | Content does not respond to magnification | No |
Text Presented as Image | Screen reader cannot read image | Yes |
Tool Is Confusing to Use | Tool lacks adequate instructions or cues for someone to know how or why to use it | No |