Category: Intermediate (Level AA)

Resize Text (1.4.4 – Level AA)

Posted on August 07, 2013| By | In Intermediate (Level AA)

Users can resize text to 200% without loss of content or function.

Introduction

Some users with visual impairments need to change the size text to understand it fully.

To help these users, your website should allow for up to a 200% resize without dropping any content or functions. This should be accomplished in a browser and therefore not require any assistive technology.

How to Pass ‘Resize Text’

Users can resize the text content in their web browser up to 200% without loss of meaning or function.

Exceptions

  • Images of text (but don’t use images of text because they don’t resize well)
  • Captions

‘Resize Text’ Tips

As all modern browsers allow for changing of text size, a website based on good HTML and CSS should comply.

If your website doesn’t resize correctly to at least 200% in a browser, add a feature that enables users to resize (by CSS) based on three or four predetermined options, including 200%.

Check your website by resizing to 200% in a variety of browsers.

Make sure text doesn’t require the user to scroll horizontally and you fulfil part of Visual Presentation for Level AAA.

See Also

1.4.3 – Contrast (Minimum) (Level AA)

Posted on July 31, 2013| By | In Intermediate (Level AA)

The contrast ratio between text and background is at least 4.5:1.

Introduction

All users benefit from a good contrast between the text on your website and the background colour.

Some users with visual impairments need a stronger contrast than others to understand your content, so using the right colours is essential.

How to Pass

Make sure the contrast ratio between your text and background is at least 4.5:1.

Do this by:

  • Using a light background and dark text; or
  • Using a dark background and light text; and
  • Using a colour contrast checker to verify your choice.

Exceptions

  • Text that is 18 points or larger (or 14 points or larger, if bold) has a lower minimum contract ratio of 3:1
  • Text that is purely decorative
  • Text that is an incidental part of an image (for example, a man who is reading a newspaper or a landscape that happens to include a street sign)
  • Brand logos

Tips

In CSS pixel terms, 14 points is 18.5 pixels and 18 points is 24 pixels.

Picking a contrast of at least 7:1 will also fulfil Guideline 1.4.6 – Contrast (Enhanced) at Level AAA.

Remember to ensure that all colours used conform. This includes links that change colour after being used once, and headings in menus and sidebars, as well as the main content.

Make sure that any embedded charts or images of charts have the minimum contrast between elements (for example, bars, axes and labels).

This guideline also applies to images of text (but you shouldn’t be using images of text, see 1.4.5 – Images of Text).

See Also

1.2.5 – Audio Description (Pre-recorded) (Level AA)

Posted on July 24, 2013| By | In Intermediate (Level AA)

Provide audio descriptions for pre-recorded videos.

Introduction

Users with visual impairments or cognitive limitations may rely on audio description to enjoy videos. Adding an audio description soundtrack to videos means these users get all information from the content.

How to Pass

  • Provide an audio described version of a video’s soundtrack, selectable by the user; or
  • Provide an alternative version of your video with audio description.

Exceptions

You don’t need to add audio description if your video conveys all its information through the regular soundtrack. Something like a straight face-to-face interview, or a speech to-camera would probably not need audio description.

Tips

Audio description is an edited version of a video’s soundtrack that adds more information than the regular soundtrack offers during pauses. This might mean narrating movements that are not audibly explained in the video, identifying speakers or explaining visual information. You can provide this to users by letting them select an audio track within the video player or having links to both versions of the video.

Keep this guideline in mind when creating videos to reduce your workload.

If you provided audio descriptions for videos to meet 1.2.3, you’ve already fulfilled this guideline.

This doesn’t apply to live videos or streaming.

See Also

1.2.4 – Captions (Live) (Level AA)

Posted on July 15, 2013| By | In Intermediate (Level AA)

Add captions to live videos.

Introduction

Users with hearing impairments may rely on captions to enjoy your video content. Adding captions to live videos helps people use your website when you’re streaming live video.

How to Pass

Add captions to live video.

Tips

Include presenter cues and important sound effects as well as dialogue.

Depending on the software you’re using to stream, it may have a built-in auto caption option or you may need to link up some 3rd party captioning software.

This is a difficult and potentially expensive guideline to meet. Broadcasters like the BBC hire professional subtitlers to add captions to live television.

See Also