Principle 3: Understandable
Accessibility Guidelines for Higher Education
Users must be able to understand the information as well as the operation of the user interface (the content or operation cannot be beyond their understanding).
The Guidelines under this Principle state content should be readable and predictable so users can understand the information they are consuming. Create content that has consistent navigation, use common language, and consistent functionality.
Is your Content Understandable?
The questions below are designed to assist you in determining if your website, application, and/or content is understandable to people with disabilities. Each question is linked to in-depth information, resources, and examples of how the guidelines benefit our users.
SUCCESS CRITERION 3.1.1 — LEVEL A
Language of Page
Is the language of each page properly identified in the code for your site or application?
SUCCESS CRITERION 3.1.2 — LEVEL AA
Language of Parts
If content on a page switches from one language to another language for a section, is that section’s language properly identified in the code?
SUCCESS CRITERION 3.2.1 — LEVEL A
On Focus
When interactive elements receive focus in your site or application, are major changes to content predictable and controllable by the user?
SUCCESS CRITERION 3.2.2 — LEVEL A
On Input
When a user enters content into a text field or selects an option from an interface, are the changes predictable and controllable?
SUCCESS CRITERION 3.2.3 — LEVEL AA
Consistent Navigation
Is the navigation in your site or application consistent on all pages?
SUCCESS CRITERION 3.2.4 — LEVEL AA
Consistent Identification
Do you provide consistent labels for similar or repetitive components?
SUCCESS CRITERION 3.3.1 — LEVEL A
Error Identification
If an error occurs when users input content in your site or application, is the error identified and described to the user in text form?
SUCCESS CRITERION 3.3.2 — LEVEL A
Labels or Instructions
Do input fields in your site or application have sufficient labels and instructions describing the information that is required?
SUCCESS CRITERION 3.3.3 — LEVEL AA
Error Suggestion
Do you provide correction suggestions when user input errors occur in your site or application?
SUCCESS CRITERION 3.3.4 — LEVEL AA
Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data)
Do you provide a way for users to reverse a submission, correct input errors, or confirm their input before final submission of legal commitments, financial transactions, or user-controlled data?