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Tired of accessibility jargon that sounds more like a sci-fi manual? Same. Let’s break it down so you can actually understand what’s what in the world of digital accessibility.
A11y
Short for accessibility (a + 11 letters + y). It’s pronounced “ally”—like the friend who’s got your back. In this case, it’s your digital wingman, making sure everyone can join the online party.
Accessibility Conformance Testing (ACT)
Fancy term for accessibility audits. Basically, you test your site with automated tools, manual checks, and assistive tech (AT) to see if it’s usable for all. Think of it like taking your website in for regular tune-ups—because ignoring accessibility is like never getting your car’s oil changed. It’s gonna bite you later.
Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR)
The endgame of your accessibility testing. This is the report you hand over to clients, showing what you did and how well you did it. Need to make it official? That’s where the VPAT comes in.
ARIA(Explore more ARIA tricks here)
This is like Google Translate, but for websites and assistive tech. ARIA helps screen readers and other tools make sense of your site’s fancy interactive elements, so users aren’t left guessing what’s what.
Assistive Technology (AT)
Think of it as a toolkit for levelling the digital playing field. From stuff like a mouthstick to screen readers, AT helps people with disabilities navigate the digital world. Braille keyboards, audio browsers—yeah, there’s some serious tech out there making sure no one’s left in the dark.
Digital Accessibility
It’s simple: Build your digital products so everyone can use them, no exceptions. Accessibility isn’t about pity points; it’s about designing an inclusive space where people of all abilities can engage without jumping through hoops.
POUR
Your new accessibility motto: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust. These four principles come from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and are your blueprint for making sure your content isn’t a nightmare to navigate.
Screen Reader
A screen reader is your website’s narrator for users with visual or cognitive disabilities. Here’s a quick list of the heavy hitters:
Desktop:
- JAWS (Windows)
- NVDA (Windows)
- Narrator (Windows)
- Orca (Linux)
- ChromeVox (ChromeOS)
- VoiceOver (macOS)
Mobile:
- TalkBack (Android)
- VoiceOver (iOS)
Screen Reader Keyboard Shortcuts and Gestures
These are like cheat codes for screen reader users. They speed up navigation, making it easier to zip through content. If you don’t know them, you’re leaving people stuck in slow-mo mode.
VPAT
(Voluntary Product Accessibility Template)
This isn’t a magic “100% accessible” sticker. It’s a transparency tool that outlines which accessibility standards your product meets and where it still screws up. Consider it your accessibility report card.
WAI(Web Accessibility Initiative)
These are the people laying down the law on accessibility. They write the guidelines, you follow them—simple as that.
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)
These are your Bible of accessibility all in one. Written by the W3C, WCAG sets the standard for making your web content inclusive, whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro.
And that’s a wrap for now on the digital accessibility jargon! We’ll be digging into each of these terms in future posts
Stay tuned for more accessibility adventures!