The Compliance Checklist gives a quick look into the various requirements that need to be met to have an accessible website. These requirements are based on WCAG 2.1 (which closely supports Sec. 508 of the ADA).
Compliant with current theme and projects:
| Level | S&A | W3C WCAG Guideline | Brief Description | |
| A | Yes | 1.1.1 – Non-text Content | Provide text alternatives for non-text content | |
| A | Yes | 1.3.1 – Info and Relationships | Logical structure | |
| A | Yes | 1.3.2 – Meaningful Sequence | Present content in a meaningful order | |
| A | Yes | 1.3.3 – Sensory Characteristics | Use more than one sense for instructions | |
| A | Yes | 2.1.1 – Keyboard | Accessible by keyboard only | |
| A | Yes | 2.1.2 – No Keyboard Trap | Don’t trap keyboard users | |
| A | Yes | 2.4.2 – Page Titled | Use helpful and clear page titles | |
| A | Yes | 2.4.3 – Focus Order | Logical order | |
| A | Yes | 2.4.4 – Link Purpose (In Context) | Every link’s purpose is clear from its context | |
| A | Yes | 3.1.1 – Language of Page | Page has a language assigned | |
| A | Yes | 3.2.1 – On Focus | Elements do not change when they receive focus | |
| A | Yes | 3.2.2 – On Input | Elements do not change when they receive input | |
| A | Yes | 4.1.1 – Parsing | No major code errors | |
| AA | Yes | 1.4.3 – Contrast (Minimum) | Contrast ratio between text and background is at least 4.5:1 | |
| AA | Yes | 1.4.4 – Resize Text | Text can be resized to 200% without loss of content or function | |
| AA | Yes | 2.4.6 – Headings and Labels | Use clear headings and labels | |
| AA | Yes | 3.2.3 – Consistent N avigation | Use menus consistently | |
| AA | Yes | 3.2.4 – Consistent Identification | Use icons and buttons consistently |
Check for these when estimating projects:
| Level | S&A | W3C WCAG Guideline | Brief Description | |
| A | No | 1.2.1 – Audio-only and Video-only (Pre-recorded) | Provide an alternative to video-only and audio-only content | Video |
| A | No | 1.2.2 – Captions (Pre-recorded) | Provide captions for videos with audio | Video |
| A | No | 1.2.3 – Audio Description or Media Alternative (Pre-recorded) | Video with audio has a second alternative | Video |
| A | No | 1.4.2 – Audio Control | Don’t play audio automatically | Video |
| A | No | 2.2.2 – Pause, Stop, Hide | Provide user controls for moving content | Video |
| AA | No | 1.2.4 – Captions (Live) | Live videos have captions | Video |
| AA | No | 1.2.5 – Audio Description (Pre-recorded) | Users have access to audio description for video content | VideoCo |
| A | Yes | 1.4.1 – Use of Color | Don’t use presentation that relies solely on color | Rare to see this |
| A | No | 2.2.1 – Timing Adjustable | Time limits have user controls | Usually on a form to purchase something |
| A | No | 2.3.1 – Three Flashes or Below | No content flashes more than three times per second | Rare to see this |
| A | No | 2.4.1 – Bypass Blocks | Provide a ‘Skip to Content’ link | Can be provided through code or a plug-in |
| AA | No | 3.1.2 – Language of Parts | Tell users when the language on a page changes | Check for quotes in other languages |
Above and beyond compliance:
| Level | S&A | W3C WCAG Guideline | Brief Description | |
| AAA | N/A | 1.2.6 – Sign Language (Pre-recorded) | Provide sign language translations for videos | |
| AAA | N/A | 1.2.7 – Extended Audio description (Pre-recorded) | Provide extended audio description for videos | |
| AAA | N/A | 1.2.8 – Media Alternative (Pre-recorded) | Provide a text alternative to videos | |
| AAA | N/A | 1.2.9 – Audio Only (Live) | Provide alternatives for live audio | |
| AAA | N/A | 1.4.6 – Contrast (Enhanced) | Contrast ratio between text and background is at least 7:1 | |
| AAA | N/A | 1.4.7 – Low or No Background Audio | Audio is clear for listeners to hear | |
| AAA | N/A | 1.4.8 – Visual Presentation | Offer users a range of presentation options | |
| AAA | N/A | 1.4.9 – Images of Text (No Exception) | Don’t use images of text | |
| AAA | N/A | 2.1.3 – Keyboard (No Exception) | Accessible by keyboard only, without exception | |
| AAA | N/A | 2.2.3 – No Timing | No time limits | |
| AAA | N/A | 2.2.4 – Interruptions | Don’t interrupt users | |
| AAA | N/A | 2.2.5 – Re-authenticating | Save user data when re-authenticating | |
| AAA | N/A | 2.3.2 – Three Flashes | No content flashes more than three times per second | |
| AAA | N/A | 2.4.10 – Section Headings | Break up content with headings | |
| AAA | N/A | 2.4.8 – Location | Let users know where they are | |
| AAA | N/A | 2.4.9 – Link Purpose (Link Only) | Every link’s purpose is clear from its text | |
| AAA | N/A | 3.1.3 – Unusual words | Explain any strange words | |
| AAA | N/A | 3.1.4 – Abbreviations | Explain any abbreviations | |
| AAA | N/A | 3.1.5 – Reading Level | Users with nine years of school can read your content | |
| AAA | N/A | 3.1.6 – Pronunciation | Explain any words that are hard to pronounce | |
| AAA | N/A | 3.2.5 – Change on Request | Don’t change elements on your website until users ask | |
| AAA | N/A | 3.3.5 – Help | Provide detailed help and instructions | |
| AAA | N/A | 3.3.6 – Error Prevention (All) | Reduce the risk of all input errors |
To be discussed:
| Level | S&A | W3C WCAG Guideline | Brief Description | |
| A | ? | 3.3.1 – Error Identification | Clearly identify input errors | Writing and display |
| A | ? | 3.3.2 – Labels or Instructions | Label elements and give instructions | Specifically when user input is required |
| A | ? | 4.1.2 – Name, Role, Value | Build all elements for accessibility | Code elements for controls |
| AA | ? | 1.4.5 – Images of Text | Don’t use images of text | Don’t do this |
| AA | ? | 2.4.5 – Multiple Ways | Offer several ways to find pages | Search/Menus/links/headings are options |
| AA | ? | 2.4.7 – Focus Visible | Ensure keyboard focus is visible and clear | Plug-in, if not in theme |
| AA | ? | 3.3.3 – Error Suggestion | Suggest fixes when users make errors | Added to error identification |
| AA | ? | 3.3.4 – Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data) | Reduce the risk of input errors for sensitive data | Purchasing, banking |