Principle 1 - Perceivable

Users must be able to perceive the information being presented (it can’t be invisible to all of their senses). Does your site or application provide text alternatives for images or other non-text content?

The Guidelines under this Principle state that you should provide text alternatives for non-text content, captions and other alternatives for multimedia, making it easier for users to see and hear content. Create content that can be presented in different ways, including by assistive technologies, without losing meaning.

22 Guidelines

Is your Content Perceivable?

The questions below are designed to assist you in determining if your website, application, and/or content is perceivable to people with disabilities. Each question is linked to in-depth information, resources, and examples on how to apply the guidelines to our products.

  • Non-Text Content: Does your site or application provide text alternatives for images or other non-text content? (Success Criterion 1.1.1 – Level A)
  • Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded): Does your site or application provide transcripts for audio only files, and descriptions for what is happening in a video only file? (Success Criterion 1.2.1 – Level A)
  • Captions (Prerecorded): If your site or application has video content, are captions available? (Success Criterion 1.2.2 – Level A)
  • Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded): Are you providing an optional audio track or text alternative to describe what is happening visually in all video content? (Success Criterion 1.2.3 – Level A)
  • Captions (Live): Are you providing real time captions for all live media that includes audio? (Success Criterion 1.2.4 – Level AA)
  • Audio Description (Prerecorded): Are you providing a prerecorded audio description about what is happening visually in all prerecorded video content? (Success Criterion 1.2.5 – Level AA)
  • Sign Language (Prerecorded): Are you providing pre-recorded sign language videos for audio content in a media file? (Success Criterion 1.2.6 – Level AAA)
  • Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded): If the video content doesn’t contain adequate pauses that allow for a secondary audio track (“audio description”), are you editing the video to create or extend pauses to describe on screen visuals? (Success Criterion 1.2.7 – Level AAA)
  • Media Alternative (Prerecorded): Are you providing a text document with all visual and auditory information as an alternative for any media file? (Success Criterion 1.2.8 – Level AAA)
  • Audio-only (Live): Are you providing text content as an alternative for the information conveyed by live audio? (Success Criterion 1.2.9 – Level AAA)
  • Info and Relationships: Is the information, structure, and relationships of the content on your site or application maintained when being accessed with assistive technology? (Success Criterion 1.3.1 – Level A)
  • Meaningful Sequence: Is the content on your site or application presented in a logical reading order when viewed with assistive technology, an alternate stylesheet, or by keyboard only navigation? (Success Criterion 1.3.2 – Level A)
  • Sensory Characteristics: Are you avoiding using sensory language or sounds as the only way to describe controls or provide directions on how to operate your site or application? (Success Criterion 1.3.3 – Level A)
  • Use of Color: Are you ensuring that color is not the only means of providing information or distinguishing visual content? (Success Criterion 1.4.1 – Level A)
  • Audio Control: Are you making sure audio does not play automatically when a page loads? (Success Criterion 1.4.2 – Level A)
  • Contrast (Minimum): Is there sufficient contrast between the text or images of text and the background? (Success Criterion 1.4.3 – Level AA)
  • Resize Text: Can users resize text up to 200% without the use of assistive technology and not affect content and functionality? (Success Criterion 1.4.4 – Level AA)
  • Images of Text: Are you avoiding the use of images of text? (Success Criterion 1.4.5 – Level AA)
  • Contrast (Enhanced): Is the contrast between the text and its background 7:1 or greater? (Success Criterion 1.4.6 – Level AAA)
  • Low or No Background Audio: For pre-recorded audio content, have background sounds been removed, or has a way for users to turn off or lower background sounds been provided? (Success Criterion 1.4.7 – Level AAA)
  • Visual Presentation: Does the text layout and design of your site or application enhance readability and allow for user customization? (Success Criterion 1.4.8 – Level AAA)
  • Images of Text (No Exception): Are you avoiding the use of images of text? (Success Criterion 1.4.9 – Level AAA)