Accessibility can feel a bit confusing when you’re first learning about it, especially with all the different terms people use. This list covers the things we get asked about most often, using simple language that\u2019s easy to follow. It\u2019s not a full list of everything out there, but it includes many of the terms we think are useful to know. We\u2019ll be updating it over time as more terms come up or things change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Accessibility<\/strong> \u2013 Making websites work for everyone, no matter how they use the web.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alt Text<\/strong> \u2013 A short written description of an image for people using screen readers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keyboard Navigation<\/strong> \u2013 Getting around a site using keys like Tab and Enter instead of a mouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contrast<\/strong> \u2013 How much text stands out from the background, which helps people see it clearly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Magnification<\/strong> \u2013 Zooming in on a screen to make things easier to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Captions<\/strong> \u2013 Show what\u2019s being said in a video, plus extra sounds like music or clapping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subtitles<\/strong> \u2013 Show only the spoken words, usually to help people who speak a different language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Images of Text<\/strong> \u2013 Pictures with words in them, which can be hard to read or scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sensory Characteristics<\/strong> \u2013 Making sure things like colours or sounds aren\u2019t the only way to understand something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Decorative Images<\/strong> \u2013 Images just for design that don\u2019t need a description.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WCAG<\/strong> \u2013 A list of rules that help designers and developers make better, more inclusive websites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Semantic HTML<\/strong> \u2013 Using the correct tags like headings and buttons so screen readers know what\u2019s what.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ARIA<\/strong> \u2013 Special code that gives screen readers extra information about what things do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n H1\u2013H6<\/strong> \u2013 These are heading levels that show the structure of a page, from most important to least.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CSS<\/strong> \u2013 The code that controls how a website looks, like colours, sizes, and spacing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Accessibility Statement<\/strong> \u2013 A short page that explains how accessible a website is, and who to contact if it\u2019s not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Screen Reader<\/strong> \u2013 A tool that reads text and content out loud for people who can\u2019t see the screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n VoiceOver<\/strong> \u2013 A screen reader built into Apple devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n JAWS<\/strong> \u2013 A popular screen reader for Windows computers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mouth Stick<\/strong> \u2013 A tool used to press keys or touch the screen using your mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eye Tracking Software<\/strong> \u2013 A way to move the cursor or click by just moving your eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assistive Technology<\/strong> \u2013 Any tool that helps someone use a computer or the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Code + Design Terms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Assistive Tools + Technology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. Testing Tools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n