Resources
Web accessibility guides in plain English
- guides
- 15
- topics
- 3
- sources cited
- 70
Accessibility basics
What accessibility means, how WCAG works and where a widget fits.
Accessibility basics
What is web accessibility? A plain-English guide
What is web accessibility? Learn who it helps, why it matters for people, search and reach, and how sites get there through design, code and testing.
Accessibility basics
WCAG 2.2 explained in plain English
WCAG explained in plain English: the four POUR principles, what levels A, AA and AAA mean, what is new in WCAG 2.2, and how to test your website.
5 min read ·
Read the guide: WCAG 2.2 explained in plain EnglishAccessibility basics
Accessibility widgets: what they can and can't do
Accessibility widgets and overlays explained honestly: which tools they give visitors, what they can't fix in your code, and how to use one responsibly.
Laws and standards
What the ADA, Section 508, the EAA, EN 301 549, AODA and more ask of websites. General information, not legal advice.
Laws and standards
ADA website accessibility: Title II vs Title III
ADA website accessibility explained: Title II vs Title III, the DOJ web rule for state and local governments, the new 2027 and 2028 deadlines, and next steps.
Laws and standards
Section 508 explained: rules, WCAG and VPATs
Section 508 explained: who it covers, what it means for federal contractors and vendors, the WCAG 2.0 AA standard, and how VPATs and ACRs work.
Laws and standards
European Accessibility Act (EAA) explained
The European Accessibility Act applies from 28 June 2025. Learn which products and services it covers, who is exempt, and how EN 301 549 and WCAG fit in.
Laws and standards
AODA website requirements for Ontario
AODA website requirements explained: which Ontario organizations must meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA, the exceptions, the key dates and compliance reporting.
Laws and standards
EN 301 549 explained: Europe's accessibility standard
EN 301 549 is the European accessibility standard for websites, software and hardware. Learn what it covers, how it uses WCAG and which version applies.
Laws and standards
California's Unruh Act and website accessibility
How California's Unruh Civil Rights Act applies to websites: the link to the ADA, the $4,000 minimum damages and what courts say about online-only businesses.
Laws and standards
CVAA explained: video and communications accessibility
The CVAA is a US law on accessible communications and video. Learn what it covers, how it applies to online captions and what website owners should know.
Laws and standards
ATAG explained: accessibility for authoring tools
ATAG is the W3C guideline for tools that create web content, such as CMSs and editors. Learn its two parts, who it is for and how it relates to WCAG.
How-to guides
Practical steps you can take on your own site this week.
How-to guides
Website accessibility checklist for site owners
A practical website accessibility checklist for site owners: structure, images, color, keyboard, forms, media and content checks, plus how to test your site.
How-to guides
How to write alt text: a practical guide with examples
Learn how to write good alt text: when to leave it empty, how to describe links, buttons and charts, bad vs good examples, and the mistakes to avoid.
How-to guides
Color contrast for accessibility: WCAG ratios explained
Learn what a color contrast ratio is, the WCAG AA and AAA minimums (4.5:1, 3:1 and 7:1), what counts as large text, and how to check and fix contrast.
How-to guides
Keyboard accessibility: how to test and fix your site
How to test keyboard accessibility with Tab, Enter, Space, arrows and Escape, and fix focus styles, focus order, skip links, keyboard traps and custom controls.
Free tool
Color contrast checker
Check if your text and background colors are easy to read. See WCAG AA and AAA results instantly, right in your browser.
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