WCAG in Plain English

All images and other non-text content (like icons, charts, audio, CAPTCHAs, or controls) must have a descriptive text alternative that conveys their meaning. Purely decorative content can be hidden from assistive technologies (e.g. using an empty alt attribute).

Prerecorded audio-only content must have a text transcript. Prerecorded video-only content must have a text or audio description.

Prerecorded videos with audio must have synchronized captions that include; all speech; relevant sound effects (like music, alarms, or laughter).

Important visual content in prerecorded videos must be described using; an audio description or; a text-based alternative.

Visual information and relationships (like labels, headings, or groupings) must also be conveyed in the code using semantic HTML (e.g. <label for="">, <ul>, <h1>) or ARIA attributes (e.g. <aria-describedby>, <role="group">) so that assistive technologies can understand the structure.

Content must follow a logical and meaningful order in the code so it can be understood correctly by assistive technologies even if the visual layout differs.

Instructions and descriptions must not rely on sensory features alone, like color, shape, size, visual location, or sound. Always provide additional text to clarify meaning.

Color must not be the only way to convey information. Always provide an additional visual cue, like icon, text label, underline, shape, or pattern (e.g. striped, solid).

If audio plays automatically for more than 3 seconds, it must be possible to pause the audio, stop the audio, or adjust the volume, without using system-wide controls.

All functionality must be operable using a keyboard alone, unless the task requires freehand input (e.g. drawing).