Checklist for Checking Websites for Accessibility

Graphics

1. Do all active elements that contain a graphic have a name that indicates the purpose of the active element? (WCAG 2.0-Guidelines 1.1.1, 4.1.2) Examples

   This item can be ignored for individual graphics if the associated active element itself already has a name.

   Category	Control Question	Success Criterion
   Linked Graphics	Do linked graphics have a functional text alternative that describes the link purpose?	2.4.4
   Button	Do purely graphical buttons have a functional text alternative that uniquely identifies the button outside of its context?	2.4.6
   Icons	If a graphic in combination with text forms the content of an active element and the graphic conveys information about, for example, the link purpose or the status of a button, is this visual cue reproduced in the text alternative?	1.3.1
   	If a graphic in combination with text forms the content of an active element and the graphic signals a context change, is this visual cue reflected in the text alternative?	3.2.5
   	If a graphic in combination with text forms the content of an active element and the graphic does not convey any additional information, can the graphic be ignored by screen readers?	1.1.1
   	If a graphic is used multiple times as an active element on a page and the active elements trigger different functions, do the text alternatives consist of a common root and a function-oriented part?	3.2.4
   Graphics with Text	Are graphics with text avoided as active elements? If not, is the text seen also used as a text alternative?	1.4.5, 1.1.1
   	If linked graphics with text are used, do the texts have a sufficient contrast ratio to the background?	1.4.3
   Image-Maps	Do the active regions of client-side image maps have functional alternative texts?	1.1.1

2. Do all non-linked illustrative graphics have an identifying text alternative that states the purpose of the graphic? (WCAG 2.0 guidelines 1.1.1) Examples

   Category	Control Question	Success Criterion
   Illus­trating Graphic	Are informative details in an image that are not mentioned in the context of the graphic named in identi­fied text alter­natives?	1.1.1
   	Is information in complex graphics described in the context of the graphic? If not, then an informative graphic and a descrip­tive text alter­native should be consid­ered.	1.1.1
   	Do identi­fied alternative texts for graphics that serve primarily as a visual sensory experience include image types and desig­nation of the content depicted?	1.1.1
   CAPTCHA	Are graphical CAPTCHAs identified with an altern­ative text and is there an altern­ative to the visual CAPTCHA? Alternatives	1.1.1
   CSS-Graphics	Are illus­trative graphics included via CSS supple­mented with a text alter­native?	1.1.1

3. Do all non-linked informative graphics have descrip­tive and as objective as possible altern­ative text that states the purpose of the graphic? (WCAG 2.0 guidelines 1.1.1) Examples

   Category	Control Question	Success Criterion
   Graphics with Text	Are the texts and design features described in graphics with text available in the alternative text?	1.1.1
   	If non-linked graphics with text are used, do the texts have a sufficient contrast ratio to the background?	1.4.3
   Tests	Do graphics that serve as a test or exercise have an identi­fying text alter­native? If a descriptive text alternative would not cause the test or exercise to be void, then a descriptive text alternative shall be set.	1.1.1
   Photos	Are visually recog­nizable features, situations, or actions in an image named in the alter­native text?	1.1.1
   	In photos of people, are the names of the people named in the alternative text?	1.1.1
   	Are conveyed emotions in photos named in the alter­native text?	1.1.1
   Complex Graphics	Are different pieces of information not distinguished by color alone, especially in info-graphics?	1.4.1
   	Are long descrip­tions linked to the graphic or is the long descrip­tion referenced in the alter­native text? This item can be ignored if the descrip­tion of the content is in the context of the graphic.	1.1.1

4. Can purely decorative invisible or redundant graphics be ignored by screen readers? (WCAG 2.0 guideline 1.1.1) Examples

   This also includes non-visible graphics.

Forms

1. Do all form elements have a correct role and value? (WCAG 2.0 guideline 4.1.2)

2. Are instruc­tions and labels suffi­ciently considered and do all form elements have a name? (WCAG 2.0 guideline 4.1.2, 3.3.2)

   Category	Control Question	Success Criterion
   Input Field	Is there a textual instruc­tion for each input field that describes the expected input?	3.3.2
   Mandatory Field	Are manda­tory fields marked in text form?	3.3.2
   Value Range	Are predefined value ranges provided for input fields?	3.3.2
   Labelling	Are visible labels associated with the corresponding form fields? If not, is the name of the form field determined in some other way?	1.3.1, 4.1.2
   	Are visible group labels linked to their associated form fields?	1.3.1
   	Are all labels descriptive and can they be uniquely identified outside of a context?	2.4.6

3. Do submitted forms need to be confirmed or verified, or can the process be undone later? (WCAG 2.0 guide­lines 3.3.4)

   Category	Control Questions	Success Criterion
   Acknow­ledgement / Review or Undo	... if submitting a form contracts legal or financial obligations.	3.3.4
   	... if submitting deletes data	3.3.4
   	... if the form is a test.	3.3.4

4. When incorrect submissions are displayed, is it in text form?

   Category	Control Question	Success Criterion
   Error Display	Are displayed errors (also) provided in text form?	3.3.1
   	Is the nature of the identified error described and, if applicable, a suggested correction offered?	3.3.3

Keyboard

1. Can all active elements be reached via keyboard? (WCAG 2.0 guideline 2.1.1) In general, active content is focused one after another via using the tab key. In widgets, a focus management can provide the focus change via arrow keys.

   Category	Control Question	Success Criterion
   Order	When an active element is focused, does the focus always remain?	3.2.1
   	Can all focused elements be exited with a common key (e. g. tab key)? If not, is reference made to a keyboard-­accessible option?	2.1.2
   	Are active elements focused in such a way that content is accessible in a meaningful way?	2.4.3
   	Does the order of components remain the same across pages (except when the corres­ponding options for changing the order are activated)?	3.2.3
   	Does the reading order correspond to the focus order? This requirement refers specifi­cally to use with a screen reader.	1.3.2
   Selection	Can active elements be used with the usual buttons?	2.1.1
   	Can links be activated with space bar and enter key?	2.1.1
   	Can forms be operated with the usual keys (e. g. arrow keys)?	2.1.1
   	Is focus management provided for widgets? The require­ments for keyboard operation in widgets do not come from WCAG 2.0, but from the ARIA Authoring Practices.
   	If the focus is changed, does the focus remain and is content on the page not exchanged?	3.2.3
   	When a form or widget is activated, does the focus remain and is the content of the page not exchanged? If not, does an instruction indicate this?	3.2.2

2. Is the focus always visible? (WCAG 2.0 Guidelines 2.4.7)

   If the web page does not have a focus indicator, the browser function (often F7) must be taken into account - this must not be suppressed.