Digital Accessibility Terminology
If you're new to digital accessibility, learning the basic terms is a great place to start. This guide introduces common words and acronyms related to digital accessibility. Expand a term to see its definition.
A11Y – Accessibility This numeronym for “accessibility” uses the number 11 to represent the number of letters between the “A” and the “Y.”ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act A U.S. civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including digital services under Title II for state/local governments and Title III for public accommodations.Alt Text – Alternative Text A brief written description of an image that is read aloud by screen readers to describe the visual content for users who cannot see it.ARIA – Accessible Rich Internet Applications A set of HTML attributes that improve accessibility for dynamic web content and applications, especially when native HTML elements are not enough.AT – Assistive Technology Tools or systems used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of people with disabilities. Examples include screen readers, voice input, and alternative keyboards.Captioning Text displayed on video content that includes spoken dialogue and other relevant sounds, used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing.Color Contrast The difference in color between text and its background. Sufficient contrast is necessary for readability, especially for users with low vision or color blindness.Focus Indicator A visual highlight, often a border or outline, that shows which element on a page is currently selected or focused. It helps keyboard users track their navigation.Keyboard Navigation Using a keyboard, instead of a mouse or trackpad, to move through digital content. Accessible websites support full keyboard navigation to allow use by people with mobility or visual impairments.Screen Reader Software that converts digital text into speech or braille, allowing people who are blind or visually impaired to access content.Section 504 – Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 A federal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. It requires reasonable accommodations in both physical and digital environments.Section 508 – Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 A federal law requiring that all electronic and information technology used by federal agencies, including institutions receiving federal funding, be accessible to people with disabilities.UD – Universal Design An approach to design that makes products, environments, and experiences usable by as many people as possible, regardless of age, ability, or other factors.VPAT – Voluntary Product Accessibility Template A standardized document used by technology vendors to report how their products meet accessibility standards like Section 508 and WCAG.W3C – World Wide Web Consortium An international community that works together to develop open web standards, including those for accessibility.WCAG – Web Content Accessibility Guidelines A set of international guidelines developed by the W3C to make digital content more accessible to people with disabilities. WCAG is the basis for most accessibility laws and policies worldwide.