WCAG terminology
There is a lot of terminology when it comes to WCAG and accessibility in general. Here are some explanations for common terms:
- Focus indicator
- A visible outline showing where you are on a page when using keyboard navigation.
- Contrast ratio
- A measure of how clearly text stands out from its background (more contrast = easier to read).
- Alt text
- Short for alternative text. A short description added to an image so screen readers can explain the image.
- Caption / subtitles
- Text displayed on videos that shows spoken words and sound descriptions.
- Keyboard navigation
- Using only the keyboard (no mouse) to move around a website.
- Screen reader
- Software that reads text aloud and helps typing/navigation for people who can’t see well.
- WCAG
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Guidelines that explain how to make web content easier to use for people with disabilities.
- WAI
- The Web Accessibility Initiative. The part of W3C focused on accessibility standards and support.
- W3C
- The World Wide Web Consortium. The group that creates web standards, including accessibility guidelines.
- Normative
- Rules that must be followed to meet an accessibility standard.
- Non-normative
- Guidance or advice that helps but is not required to meet accessibility rules.
- Assistive technology
- Tools that help people with disabilities use computers or websites, for example, screen readers, speech-to-text, or braille displays.
- ARIA
- WAI-ARIA refers to the Web Accessibility Initiative - Accessible Rich Internet Applications. Extra code added to web pages that helps assistive tools like screen readers understand custom web features.