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

2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap

There shouldn’t be a situation where you enter a modal with the keyboard and can’t get back to where you were.

Keyboard
Cognitive, Physical/Motor, Visual
Code
WCAG 2.1, 2.2 Level A

2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts should use modifier keys, like ctrl, command, or alt/option.

Keyboard
Cognitive, Physical/Motor, Visual
Code
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level A

2.2.1 Timing Adjustable

Time limits should be avoided unless they’re able to be extended.

Forms, Sensory
Cognitive, Visual
Code
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level A

2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide

Automatically moving/animating content that lasts more than 5 seconds should be able to be stopped or hidden.

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

2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold

Flashing content must not exceed three flashes per second unless it is within safe limits.

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

2.4.1 Bypass Blocks

‘Skip links’ are available for keyboard users to jump past navigation.

Keyboard
Cognitive, Physical/Motor, Visual
Code, Design
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level A

2.4.2 Page Titled

Each page has a unique title element that describes what’s on that page.

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

2.4.3 Focus Order

When a keyboard user tabs through a page, the order goes from top to bottom and left to right, as you would read the page.

Keyboard
Cognitive, Physical/Motor, Visual
Code
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level A

2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context)

A link’s destination should be clear from either the link text itself or the surrounding sentence context.

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

2.5.1 Pointer Gestures

All actions that are carried out using a gesture (swiping, pinching, and so on) or drawing, can also be done with a button or buttons.

Gestures
Cognitive, Physical/Motor, Visual
Code