Designing for Accessibility

The four main guiding principles of accessibility in WCAG 2.0 are

Perceivable

• Provide text alternatives for non-text content
• Provide captions and other alternatives for multimedia
• Create content that can be presented in different ways, including by assistive technologies, without losing meaning
• Make it easier for users to see and hear content

Operable

• Make all functionality available from a keyboard
• Give users enough time to read and use content
• Do not use content that causes seizures
• Help users navigate and find content

Understandable

• Make text readable and understandable
• Make content appear and operate in predictable ways
• Help users avoid and correct mistakes

Robust

• Maximize compatibility with browsers and user tools

Download POUR as a handout  [PDF]

Image: Evolve Creative Group

• Quick Reference Guide to WCAG
• WAI's Easy Checks - Checklist for conducting a first review of accessibility
• Writing for the Web

These interactive websites were built to demonstrate and explain some common web design problems:

• Before and After Demonstration (BAD) created by the Web Accessibility Initiative
• Accessible University 3.0 created by the University of Washington
• Handling common accessibility problems - Mozilla Developer Network