Priority List

While all accessibility adjustments help, not all of the guidelines are created equal. This list is intended to highlight high impact changes, as well as some “easy wins” to be aware of when prioritizing fixes.

Critical

These issues could make it impossible to browse a site, access content, or complete a task successfully.

  • 1.1.1 - Form inputs have properly associated text labels
  • 1.2.4 - Synchronized captions are provided for live video
  • 1.4.1 - Color alone is not used to distinguish links or other visual elements
  • 1.4.2 - Audio that plays automatically has controls to play, pause, mute, or adjust volume
  • 1.4.3 - Text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1
  • 2.1.1 - All page functionality is available using the keyboard
  • 2.1.2 - Keyboard focus is never locked or trapped at one page element

Important

These issues make browsing a site challenging or needlessly frustrating.

  • 1.1.1 - Images deemed to be relevant have a text alternative
  • 1.2.2 - Synchronized captions are provided for non-live video
  • 1.3.1 - Headings, lists, and special text are used appropriately
  • 1.3.2 - The page order is clear and makes sense
  • 2.2.1 - Any page or application with a time limit, offers the user options to turn off, adjust, or extend that time limit
  • 2.4.3 - The focus order of the page is logical
  • 2.4.7 - It is visually apparent which element has keyboard focus
  • 3.3.2 - Sufficient labels, cues, and instructions for required interactive elements are provided

Easy Wins

These issues are quick and easy ways to make a noticable improvement to the accessibility of an existing site. Some of these repeat items listed previously.

  • 1.1.1 - Images deemed to be relevant have a text alternative (template level elements)
  • 1.4.3 - Text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1
  • 2.4.1 - Include a skip navigation link
  • 2.4.7 - It is visually apparent which element has keyboard focus
  • 3.1.1 - The language of the page is identified using the HTML lang attribute
  • Editorial Wins - Confirming images have a text alternative; headings, lists and special text are used appropriately; and other editorial accessibility updates often do not need development or design time. This can be labor intensive to complete across a site, but every bit helps.