Accessibility Standards and Guidelines

Expert-defined terms from the Certificate in Inclusive Design and Accessibility course at LearnUNI. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.

Download PDF Free · printable · SEO-indexed
Accessibility Standards and Guidelines

A11Y refers to the numerical abbreviation for accessibility, where the nu… #

This term is often used to describe the practice of making products, services, and environments accessible to people with disabilities. Related terms include inclusive design and universal usability. AAA stands for Triple A, which is a level of conformance to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) that requires all content to meet the highest standards of accessibility. This level of conformance is often required for government websites and public institutions. Accessible Design refers to the process of creating products, services, and environments that are usable by people with disabilities. This approach to design involves considering the needs of all users, including those with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities. Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) is a set of attributes and techniques that are used to make dynamic web content and interactive elements more accessible to people with disabilities. ARIA is often used to provide a more accessible experience for users with screen readers and other assistive technologies. Accessibility Audit is a process of evaluating a product, service, or environment to determine its level of accessibility for people with disabilities. This process typically involves a thorough review of the product, service, or environment, as well as user testing and feedback. Accessibility Guidelines are a set of recommendations that provide guidance on how to make products, services, and environments more accessible to people with disabilities. These guidelines are often developed by industry leaders and experts in the field of accessibility. Accessibility Statement is a declaration that is made by an organization to express its commitment to accessibility and to provide information about the accessibility features of its products, services, or environments. This statement is often displayed on a website or in a public place. Accessibility Standards are a set of requirements that are used to determine the level of accessibility of a product, service, or environment. These standards are often developed by government agencies and industry leaders. ADA stands for Americans with Disabilities Act, which is a law that requires public facilities and services to be accessible to people with disabilities. This law has been instrumental in promoting accessibility and inclusion in the United States. Adaptive Technology refers to the use of assistive technologies, such as screen readers and braille displays, to provide access to information and communication for people with disabilities. Alt Text is a description of an image that is provided for users who are blind or have low vision. This text is often read aloud by screen readers and is used to provide a tactile experience for users who are blind. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law that requires public facilities and services to be accessible to people with disabilities. Assistive Technology refers to the use of devices and software that are designed to provide access to information and communication for people with disabilities. Examples of assistive technologies include screen readers, braille displays, and communication aids. Audio Description is a narration that is provided to describe the visual elements of a video or live performance. This narration is often used to provide access to visual information for people who are blind or have low vision. Authoring Tool is a software application that is used to create web content and interactive elements. Examples of authoring tools include HTML editors and content management systems. Bobby is a tool that is used to evaluate the accessibility of web content and applications. This tool provides a comprehensive review of the accessibility features of a website or application. Braille is a system of raised dots that is used to provide a tactile experience for people who are blind or have low vision. Braille is often used to label products and signs in public places. Captioning is the process of providing text descriptions of audio and video content. This process is often used to provide access to audio and video information for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Certified Accessible is a designation that is given to products, services, or environments that meet the highest standards of accessibility. This designation is often awarded by third-party organizations and experts in the field of accessibility. Closed Captions are text descriptions of audio and video content that are provided in a separate file or stream. This allows users to turn captions on or off as needed. Color Contrast is the difference in color between the background and foreground of a visual element. This difference is often used to provide a clear and legible visual experience for users. Content Management System (CMS) is a software application that is used to create, manage, and distribute web content. Examples of CMS include WordPress and Drupal. Deque is a company that provides accessibility solutions and services to organizations. Deque is known for its expertise in accessibility and its comprehensive range of accessibility tools and resources. Disability refers to a condition or barrier that limits a person's ability to participate fully in society. Disabilities can be physical, cognitive, or emotional in nature. Dynamic Content is content that is generated dynamically in response to user input or actions. Examples of dynamic content include JavaScript and AJAX. E-learning is a type of learning that takes place online or through electronic means. E-learning often involves the use of interactive elements and multimedia content. Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) refers to technology that is used to create, manage, and distribute information. Examples of EIT include computers and software applications. EPUB is a format for e-books and other digital publications. EPUB is designed to be accessible and flexible, allowing users to read and navigate content easily. Equal Access refers to the principle of providing equal opportunities and access to information and resources for all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a law that requires public sector bodies and private companies to make their products and services more accessible to people with disabilities. WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, which are a set of guidelines that provide a framework for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities. Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) is a project that is led by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to improve the accessibility of the web. WAI provides a range of resources and guidelines to help organizations make their web content more accessible. Section 508 is a law that requires federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities. Screen Reader is a software application that is used to read text aloud to users who are blind or have low vision. Screen readers are often used in conjunction with braille displays and other assistive technologies. Simple Navigation is a design approach that involves providing clear and consistent navigation options for users. This approach is often used to make web content more accessible and usable for all users. Social Model of Disability is a framework that views disability as a societal construct, rather than a personal problem. This framework emphasizes the need for inclusive design and accessibility in all aspects of society. Structural Elements are the building blocks of a web page, including headings, paragraphs, and lists. These elements are often used to provide a clear and consistent structure for web content. Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL) is a markup language that is used to synchronize multimedia content, such as audio and video. SMIL is often used to provide a more accessible experience for users with disabilities. Table Navigation is a design approach that involves using tables to provide a clear and consistent navigation system for users. Target Audience is the group of users that a product, service, or environment is designed for. This group may include people with disabilities, as well as those without disabilities. Technical Accessibility refers to the technical aspects of accessibility, including the use of assistive technologies and the implementation of accessibility features in products, services, and environments. Testing for Accessibility is the process of evaluating a product, service, or environment to determine its level of accessibility for people with disabilities. Text Equivalents are alternatives to non-text content, such as images and audio files. Text equivalents are often used to provide a more accessible experience for users with disabilities. Tutorials and Guides are resources that provide instruction and guidance on how to use a product, service, or environment. These resources are often used to help users with disabilities to access and use products, services, and environments. Universal Design is a design approach that involves creating products, services, and environments that are usable by all people, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. This approach emphasizes the need for inclusive design and accessibility in all aspects of society. User Agent is a software application that is used to access and interact with web content. Examples of user agents include browsers and screen readers. User Experience (UX) refers to the experience that a user has when interacting with a product, service, or environment. UX is often used to describe the usability and accessibility of a product, service, or environment. User Testing is the process of evaluating a product, service, or environment with real users to determine its level of usability and accessibility. This process typically involves a thorough review of the product, service, or environment, as well as user feedback and testing. Video Description is a narration that is provided to describe the visual elements of a video. Visual Elements are the visual components of a web page, including images, videos, and graphics. These elements are often used to provide a clear and consistent visual experience for users. Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a template that is used to evaluate the accessibility of a product or service. VPAT is often used by organizations to determine the level of accessibility of their products and services. W3C stands for World Wide Web Consortium, which is an international organization that is responsible for developing and maintaining web standards. W3C is often involved in the development of accessibility guidelines and standards. Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAET) is a tool that is used to evaluate the accessibility of web content and applications. WAET provides a comprehensive review of the accessibility features of a website or application. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of guidelines that provide a framework for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities. WCAG is often used by organizations to determine the level of accessibility of their web content. Webpage is a document that is written in HTML and is accessed through the web. Webpages often include text, images, and other multimedia content. Website is a collection of web pages that are linked together to provide a coherent and consistent user experience. Websites often include home pages, about pages, and other content pages. Wheelchair Accessibility refers to the physical accessibility of a location or environment for people who use wheelchairs. This includes the provision of ramps, elevators, and other accessible features. Wireframe is a visual representation of a web page or application that is used to plan and design the layout and structure of the content. Wireframes are often used to create a prototype of a web page or application. XML stands for Extensible Markup Language, which is a language that is used to create and manage structured content. XML is often used to provide a more accessible and flexible experience for users.

July 2026 intake · open enrolment
from £90 GBP
Enrol