Use WCAG principles to meet user needs

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 guidelines can be expressed as user needs. These needs feature throughout the Style Manual. The following lists group user needs (guidelines) under WCAG principles.

Principle: content is perceivable

Any user can perceive the content.

User needs:

• I can understand any information contained in an image. (Guideline: text alternatives)
• I can access equivalent information to anything contained in a video or audio file. (Guideline: time-based media)
• I can change the content’s presentation without losing information or structure. (Guideline: adaptable)
• I can easily control how I see and hear distinctions if colour or sound convey meaning. (Guideline: distinguishable)

Principle: content is operable

Any user can operate the navigation and interface.

User needs:

• I can operate the content using only a keyboard. (Guideline: keyboard accessible)
• I can control any features that involve timing so I have enough time to read and use the content. (Guideline: enough time)
• I can use the content without experiencing a seizure or physical reaction. (Guideline: seizures and physical reactions)
• I can find and navigate the content and determine where I am on the webpage. (Guideline: navigable)
• I can operate the webpage with something other than a keyboard, like a pointer. (Guideline: input modalities)

Principle: content is understandable

Any user can understand the information and the interface.

User needs:

• I can read and understand text, even if the content includes unusual words and shortened forms,or features languages other than English. (Guideline: readable)
• I can predict the webpage’s appearance and how I will operate the content. (Guideline: predictable)
• I can avoid making any mistakes with my inputs, and correct any that I might make. (Guideline: input assistance)

Principle: content is robust

Assistive technologies can interpret the content.

User need: I have confidence the markup language supports my use of software and assistive technology to access the content. (Guideline: compatible)

Follow Style Manual guidance on accessibility requirements

Look for accessibility requirements as you check guidance for different topics.

Callout boxes in the Style Manual relate user needs to fundamental actions you can take to ensure content is accessible by design.

Callouts also include references to WCAG criteria that link to technical details (level A, level AA and level AAA success criteria).

The Style Manual also includes links to other external resources about accessibility.