Making accessibility standards easy to understand, one success criterion at a time.

level: A

Level A is the lowest level for meeting WCAG standards, and it provides the most basic support for web accessibility. Successfully implement every success criterion under Level A to achieve this standard.

WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level A
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level A

1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Pre-recorded)

Any audio-only content should also be conveyed in text. Any video content with no audio track should also be described in text, but could also be described with audio.

Sensory, Wording
Auditory/Hearing
Content
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level A

1.2.2 Captions (Pre-recorded)

The audio in videos should be captioned.

Sensory, Wording
Auditory/Hearing
Content
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level A

1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Pre-recorded)

Actions, descriptions, and other important non-audio content in videos should be described in captions, a separate audio track, or a text-based alternative like a screenplay.

Sensory, Wording
Visual
Content
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level A

1.3.1 Info and Relationships

Information or relationships between content that is visual is also conveyed through the code, via HTML or ARIA (for example the for attribute on a form label, or aria-describedby on an input that has hint text).

Code and Labels, Wording
Cognitive, Visual
Code, Content
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level A

1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence

The visual presentation of the content matches what’s read out by a screen reader.

Code and Labels, Wording
Cognitive, Visual
Code
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level A

1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics

Nothing is referred to just by its colour, size, position, shape, and so on.

Forms, Sensory, Wording
Cognitive, Visual
Content
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level A

1.4.1 Use of Color

Colour shouldn’t be the only thing used to convey meaning.

Sensory
Cognitive, Visual
Content, Design
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level A

1.4.2 Audio Control

Auto playing audio that lasts more than 3 seconds can be turned down or stopped.

Sensory
Auditory/Hearing
Code
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level A

2.1.1 Keyboard

Can you get around using the keyboard alone.

Keyboard
Cognitive, Physical/Motor, Visual
Code