Accessibility Standards & Compliance Flashcards

What is the primary goal of accessibility standards?

Answer: Ensure usability for disabled users

Accessibility standards, such as WCAG, are developed to ensure that websites, applications, and digital content are usable by people with disabilities. Their primary goal is to remove barriers that might prevent individuals with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments from accessing and interacting with digital information and services, promoting equal access for all users.

Which law mandates web accessibility in the US?

Answer: ADA

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. While not explicitly mentioning websites, courts have interpreted the ADA to apply to web accessibility, particularly for public-facing entities, mandating equal access to digital services.

What does WCAG stand for?

Answer: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, which are a set of internationally recognized recommendations for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities. Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), WCAG provides a framework for ensuring digital content can be perceived, operated, understood, and is robust across various user agents.

Which is an example of an accessibility feature?

Answer: Screen readers

Screen readers are assistive technologies that convert digital text and image descriptions into speech or braille output, enabling users with visual impairments to access and interact with digital content. They are a fundamental accessibility feature, allowing blind or low-vision users to navigate websites and applications effectively.

What does alt text do for images?

Answer: Describes images for screen readers

Alt text (alternative text) is a brief, descriptive text attribute added to image tags in HTML. Its primary purpose is to provide a textual description of an image for users who cannot see it, such as those using screen readers due to visual impairments. This ensures that the content and context conveyed by images are accessible to all users.

Why is keyboard accessibility important?

Answer: Supports non-mouse users

Keyboard accessibility ensures that all interactive elements and content on a website or application can be accessed and operated using only a keyboard, without requiring a mouse. This is crucial for users with motor impairments who cannot use a mouse, as well as for screen reader users who rely on keyboard navigation. It promotes inclusive design for a wider range of abilities.

What does ARIA stand for in accessibility?

Answer: Accessible Rich Internet Applications

ARIA stands for Accessible Rich Internet Applications. It is a set of attributes that can be added to HTML elements to improve the accessibility of dynamic web content and user interface components, especially for assistive technologies like screen readers. ARIA helps bridge the gap where standard HTML alone might not convey the necessary semantic information for complex web applications.

What is the purpose of captions in videos?

Answer: Provide text for audio

Captions in videos provide a synchronized text version of the audio content, including spoken dialogue, sound effects, and music cues. Their primary purpose is to make video content accessible to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Captions also benefit users in noisy environments or those who prefer to consume content without sound.

Why is compliance with accessibility standards important?

Answer: Ensures equal access and reduces legal risks

Compliance with accessibility standards is vital for two main reasons: it ensures that digital products and services are usable by everyone, including people with disabilities, promoting equal access and inclusion. Additionally, failing to meet these standards can expose organizations to significant legal risks and lawsuits, as many countries have laws mandating digital accessibility.