Advisory techniques are suggested ways to improve accessibility. They are often very helpful to some users, and may be the only way that some users can access some types of content.
Advisory techniques are not designated as sufficient techniques for various reasons such as:
they may not be sufficient to meet the full requirements of the success criteria;
they may be based on technology that is not yet stable;
they may not be accessibility supported in many cases (for example, assistive technologies do not work with them yet);
they may not be testable;
in some circumstances they may not be applicable or practical, and may even decrease accessibility for some users while increasing it for others;
they may not address the success criterion itself, and instead provide related accessibility benefits.
Authors are encouraged to apply all of the techniques where appropriate to best address the widest range of users' needs.
Providing sign language videos for audio-only files (future link)
Identifying informative non-text content (future link)
Keeping short descriptions short (future link)
Describing images that include text (future link)
Providing a longer description of the non-text content where only a descriptive label is required using a technology-specific technique (for an accessibility-supported content technology) for long description listed above (future link)
Providing different sizes for non-text content when it cannot have an equivalent accessible alternative (future link)
Using server-side scripts to resize images of text (future link)
Linking to textual information that provides comparable information (e.g., for a traffic Webcam, a municipality could provide a link to the text traffic report.) (future link)
Providing more than two modalities of CAPTCHAs (future link)
Providing access to a human customer service representative who can bypass CAPTCHA (future link)
Not requiring CAPTCHAs for authorized users (future link)
Writing for browsers that do not support frame (future link)
Providing alternative content for iframe (future link)
Not using long descriptions for iframe (future link)
Providing redundant text links for client-side image maps (future link)
C18: Using CSS margin and padding rules instead of spacer images for layout design (CSS)
Using CSS background, :before or :after rules for decorative images instead of img elements (future link)
Displaying empty table cells (future link)
Using the ARIA presentation role to indicate elements are purely presentational (future link)
Using metadata to associate text transcriptions with a video (future link)
Using metadata to associate text transcriptions with audio-only content (future link)
EXAMPLE: Providing, in metadata, URI(s) that points to an audio description and a text transcript of a video.
EXAMPLE: Providing, in metadata, URI(s) that point to several text transcripts (English, French, Dutch) of an audio file.
H96: Using the track element to provide audio descriptions (HTML)
Providing a transcript of a live audio only presentation after the fact (future link)
Linking to textual information that provides comparable information (e.g., for a traffic Webcam, a municipality could provide a link to the text traffic report.) (future link)
Providing a note saying "No sound is used in this clip" for video-only clips (future link)
Using SMIL 1.0 to provide captions for all languages for which there are audio tracks (future link)
Using SMIL 2.0 to provide captions for all languages for which there are audio tracks (future link)
H96: Using the track element to provide audio descriptions (HTML)
Providing audio description in multiple languages in SMIL 1.0 (future link)
Providing audio description in multiple languages in SMIL 2.0 (future link)
(none currently documented)
H96: Using the track element to provide audio descriptions (HTML)
Providing audio description in multiple languages in SMIL 1.0 (future link)
Providing audio description in multiple languages in SMIL 2.0 (future link)
Providing audio description for live synchronized media (future link)
H96: Using the track element to provide audio descriptions (HTML)
Adding extended audio description in multiple languages in SMIL 1.0 (future link)
Adding extended audio description in multiple languages in SMIL 2.0 (future link)
Providing a corrected script (future link)
Adding detail to audio description (future link)
Using metadata to associate text transcriptions with audio-only content (future link)
Example: Providing, in metadata, URI(s) that point to several text transcripts (English, French, Dutch) of an audio file.
Using CSS rather than tables for page layout (future link)
G162: Positioning labels to maximize predictability of relationships
ARIA2: Identifying a required field with the aria-required property (ARIA)
Providing labels for all form controls that do not have implicit labels (future link)
Using left-justified text for languages that are written left to right and right-justified text for languages that are written right-to-left (future link)
Providing a link to linearized rendering (future link)
Providing a style switcher between style sheets that affect presentation order (future link)
Using an image with a text alternative for graphical symbols instead of a Unicode font glyph with the desired graphical appearance but different meaning (future link)
Using readable fonts (future link)
Making sure any text in images of text is at least 14 points and has good contrast (future link)
Providing a highly visible highlighting mechanism for links or controls when they receive keyboard focus (future link)
Conveying information redundantly using color (future link)
C15: Using CSS to change the presentation of a user interface component when it receives focus (CSS)
Providing a site-wide preference to turn off audio in addition to providing a control near the top of the Web page that turns off sounds that play automatically (future link)
Using a higher contrast value for text that is over a patterned background (future link)
Using Unicode text and style sheets instead of images of text (future link)
Using a higher contrast values for lines in diagrams (future link)
Using greater contrast level for red-black text/background combinations (future link)
Using colors that are composed predominantly of mid spectral components for the light and spectral extremes (blue and red wavelengths) for the dark
Using a light pastel background rather than a white background behind black text to create sufficient but not extreme contrast (future link)
Making icons using simple line drawings that meet the contrast provisions for text (future link)
Providing sufficient contrast ratio in graphs and charts (future link)
Using a 3:1 contrast ratio or higher as the default presentation (future link)
Providing sufficient color contrast for empty text fields (future link)
Providing large fonts by default (future link)
Using page-percent for container sizes (future link)
Avoiding scaling font sizes smaller than the user-agent default (future link)
Note: The author won't actually know the font size, but should avoid percentage scaling that results in less than 100%
Avoiding justified text (future link)
Providing sufficient inter-line and inter-column spacing (future link)
Providing different sizes for non-text content when it cannot have an equivalent accessible alternative (future link)
Avoiding the use of text in raster images (future link)
Using server-side scripts to resize images of text (future link)
Ensuring that text in raster images is at least 18pt (future link)
Scaling text down to 50% (future link)
Providing a mechanism to allow captions to be enlarged (future link)
C8: Using CSS letter-spacing to control spacing within a word (CSS)
Avoid applying text styling to text characters within a word (future link)
Using a higher contrast value for text that is over a patterned background (future link)
Using Unicode text and style sheets instead of images of text (future link)
Using a higher contrast values for lines in diagrams (future link)
Using greater contrast level for red-black text/background combinations
Using colors that are composed predominantly of mid spectral components for the light and spectral extremes (blue and red wavelengths) for the dark
Using a light pastel background rather than a white background behind black text to create sufficient but not extreme contrast (future link)
Making icons using simple line drawings that meet the contrast provisions for text (future link)
Providing sufficient contrast ratio in graphs and charts (future link)
Using a 3:1 contrast ratio or higher as the default presentation (future link)
Providing sufficient color contrast for empty text fields (future link)
Providing a way for users to adjust auditory levels of foreground and background sound independently (future link)
Providing an audio track for synchronized media that includes background sounds that are at least 20 decibels lower than speech (future link)
Using a hover effect to highlight a paragraph, list items, or table cells (CSS) (future link)
Presenting text in sans serif font or providing a mechanism to achieve this (CSS) (future link)
Using vertical (bulleted or numbered) lists rather than inline lists (future link)
Using upper and lower case according to the spelling conventions of the text language (future link)
Providing large fonts by default (future link)
Avoiding the use of text in raster images (future link)
Avoiding scaling font sizes smaller than the user-agent default (future link)
Providing sufficient inter-column spacing (future link)
Avoiding centrally aligned text (future link)
Avoiding chunks of italic text (future link)
Avoiding overuse of different styles on individual pages and in sites (future link)
Making links visually distinct (future link)
Providing expandable bullets (future link)
Show/hide bullet points (future link)
Putting an em-space or two spaces after sentences (future link)
Using server-side scripts to resize images of text (future link)
C8: Using CSS letter-spacing to control spacing within a word (CSS)
Avoid applying text styling to text characters within a word (future link)
Using XHTML role, state, and value attributes if repurposing static elements as interactive user interface components (future link) AND SCR29: Adding keyboard-accessible actions to static HTML elements (Scripting)
Providing keyboard shortcuts to important links and form controls (future link)
Using unique letter combinations to begin each item of a list (future link)
Choosing the most abstract event handler (future link) (Scripting)
Using the onactivate event (future link) (Scripting)
Avoiding use of common user-agent keyboard commands for other purposes (future link)
Using a script to poll the server and notify a user if a time limit is present (future link) (Scripting)
Using sounds to focus user's attention (future link)
Providing a mechanism to stop all content that blinks within a Web page (future link)
Providing the user with a means to stop moving content even if it stops automatically within 5 seconds (future link)
Ensuring that content does not violate spatial pattern thresholds (future link)
Reducing contrast for any flashing content (future link)
Avoiding fully saturated reds for any flashing content (future link)
Reducing the number of flashes even if they do not violate thresholds (future link)
Providing a mechanism to suppress any flashing content before it begins (future link)
Slowing down live material to avoid rapid flashes (as in flashbulbs) (future link)
Freezing the image momentarily if 3 flashes within one second are detected (future link)
Dropping the contrast ratio if 3 flashes within one second are detected (future link)
Allowing users to set a custom flash rate limit (future link)
Reducing contrast for any flashing content (future link)
Avoiding fully saturated reds for any flashing content (future link)
Reducing the number of flashes even if they don't violate thresholds (future link)
Slowing down live material to avoid rapid flashes (as in flashbulbs) (future link)
Freezing the image momentarily if 3 flashes within one second are detected (future link)
Dropping the contrast ratio if 3 flashes within one second are detected (future link)
Limiting the number of links per page (future link)
Providing mechanisms to navigate to different sections of the content of a Web page (future link)
Making links visually distinct (future link)
Highlighting search terms (future link)
Providing keyboard access to important links and form controls (future link)
Providing skip links to enhance page navigation (future link)
Providing access keys (future link)
Using accessibility supported technologies which allow structured navigation by user agents and assistive technologies (future link)
G127: Identifying a Web page's relationship to a larger collection of Web pages
Identifying the subject of the Web page (future link)
Providing a meaningful name for identifying frames (future link)
Using unique titles for Web pages (future link)
Providing a descriptive top-level page heading (future link)
Providing a highly visible highlighting mechanism for links or controls when they receive keyboard focus (future link)
Creating alternative presentation orders (future link)
Including information about presentation modes in tables of contents and concept maps (future link)
Using unique section headings in a Web Page (future link)
Starting section headings with unique information (future link)
Highlighting a link or control when the mouse hovers over it (future link)
Providing a highly visible highlighting mechanism for links or controls when they receive keyboard focus (future link)
PDF14: Providing running headers and footers in PDF documents (PDF)
PDF17: Specifying consistent page numbering for PDF documents (PDF)
Providing a link to the home page or main page (future link)
Providing an easy-to-read version of information about the organization of a set of Web pages (future link)
Providing a sign language version of information about the organization of a set of Web pages (future link)
Providing an easy-to-read summary at the beginning of each section of content (future link)
Using the 'live' property to mark live regions (future link) (ARIA)
Providing mechanisms to navigate to different sections of the content of a Web page (future link)
Setting expectations about content in the page from uncontrolled sources (future link)
Providing sign language interpretation for all content (future link)
Using the clearest and simplest language appropriate for the content (future link)
Avoiding centrally aligned text (future link)
Avoiding text that is fully justified (to both left and right margins) in a way that causes poor spacing between words or characters (future link)
Using left-justified text for languages that are written left to right and right-justified text for languages that are written right-to-left (future link)
Limiting text column width (future link)
Avoiding chunks of italic text (future link)
Avoiding overuse of different styles on individual pages and in sites (future link)
Making links visually distinct (future link)
Using images, illustrations, video, audio, or symbols to clarify meaning (future link)
Providing practical examples to clarify content (future link)
Using a light pastel background rather than a white background behind black text (future link)
Avoiding the use of unique interface controls unnecessarily (future link)
Using upper and lower case according to the spelling rules of the text language (future link)
Avoiding unusual foreign words (future link)
Providing sign language versions of information, ideas, and processes that must be understood in order to use the content (future link)
Making any reference to a location in a Web page into a link to that location (future link)
Making references to a heading or title include the full text of the title (future link)
Providing easy-to-read versions of basic information about a set of Web pages, including information about how to contact the Webmaster (future link)
Providing a sign language version of basic information about a set of Web pages, including information about how to contact the Webmaster (future link)
SVR5: Specifying the default language in the HTTP header (SERVER)
Using http or the Content-Language meta tag for metadata (future link)
SL27: Using Language/Culture Properties as Exposed by Silverlight Applications and Assistive Technologies (Silverlight)
Making text that is not in the default human language of the Web page visually distinct (future link)
Giving the names of any languages used in foreign passages or phrases (future link)
Providing language markup on proper names to facilitate correct pronunciation by screen readers (future link)
Using markup and visual formatting to help users recognize words that have special meaning (future link)
Providing a voice-enabled dictionary search so that users who have difficulty typing or spelling can speak the word whose definition they need (future link)
Providing a sign language dictionary to help users who are deaf find the necessary definitions (future link)
Providing a mechanism for finding definitions for all words in text content (future link)
Providing a mechanism to determine the meaning of each word or phrase in text content (future link)
Avoiding unusual foreign words (future link)
Using a series of dictionaries in cascading fashion to provide meanings (future link)
Using unique abbreviations in a Web page (future link)
Using visual formatting to help users recognize abbreviations (future link)
Providing access to a talking dictionary to support users who might have difficulty decoding written definitions (future link)
Providing a voice-enabled dictionary search so that users who have difficulty typing or spelling can speak the word whose definition they need (future link)
Providing text for navigational and landing pages that requires reading ability that is less advanced than the lower secondary education level (future link)
Providing text for interior pages that requires reading ability at the lower secondary education level (future link)
Including content summaries in metadata (future link)
Using the clearest and simplest language appropriate for the content (future link)
Using RDF to associate supplements with primary content (future link)
Providing a clear representational image on the site's home page (future link)
Clearly marking, by use of text or icon, content which has been optimized for easy reading (future link)
Using sentences that contain no redundant words, that is, words that do not change the meaning of the sentence (future link)
Using sentences that contain no more than two conjunctions (future link)
Using sentences that are no longer than the typical accepted length for secondary education (Note: In English that is 25 words) (future link)
Using sentences that do not contain complex words or phrases that could be replaced with more commonly used words without changing the meaning of the sentence (future link)
Providing summaries for different sections of text (future link)
Using metadata to associate alternatives at different reading levels. (future link)
Using the Dublin Core accessibility element to associate text content with text, graphical, or spoken supplements (future link)
Using the ISO AfA accessibility element to associate text content with text, graphical, or spoken supplements (future link)
Using the IMS accessibility element to associate text content with text, graphical, or spoken supplements (future link)
Making metadata viewable by humans (future link)
EXAMPLE: Providing, in metadata, URI(s) that point to a pre-primary-reading-level and a primary-reading-level text transcript of a new scientific discovery advanced-reading-level article.
Providing progressive complexity for site and page content (future link)
Providing pronunciations in a sound file, so that users can listen to the pronunciations of the word (future link)
Providing a mechanism for finding pronunciations for all foreign words in text content (future link)
Providing a mechanism to determine the pronunciations of each word or phrase in text content (future link)
Positioning labels to maximize predictability of relationships
Not causing persistent changes of state or value when a component receives focus, or providing an alternate means to reset any changes (future link)
G200: Opening new windows and tabs from a link only when necessary
G201: Giving users advanced warning when opening a new window
PDF14: Providing running headers and footers in PDF documents (PDF)
PDF17: Specifying consistent page numbering for PDF documents (PDF)
Using templates to ensure consistency across multiple Web pages (future link)
Creating layout, positioning, layering, and alignment (future link)
Ensuring that the text alternative conveys the function of the component and what will happen when the user activates it (future link)
Using the same non-text content for a given function whenever possible (future link)
Opening new windows by providing normal hyperlinks without the target attribute (future link), because many user agents allow users to open links in another window or tab.
G200: Opening new windows and tabs from a link only when necessary
Hiding optional form fields (future link)
G139: Creating a mechanism that allows users to jump to errors
Validating form submissions on the server (future link)
Re-displaying a form with a summary of errors (future link)
Providing error notification as the user enters information (future link)
Including error notification information in the page title (future link)
Highlighting or visually emphasizing errors where they occur (future link)
Supplementing text with non-text content when reporting errors (future link)
G199: Providing success feedback when data is submitted successfully
Using sounds to focus user's attention (future link)
SL19: Providing User Instructions With AutomationProperties.HelpText in Silverlight (Silverlight)
Providing linear form design and grouping similar items (future link)
G139: Creating a mechanism that allows users to jump to errors
Making error messages easy to understand and distinguishable from other text in the Web page (future link)
Validating form submissions on the server (future link)
When mandatory information has not been provided, including descriptions or examples of correct information in addition to identifying the field as mandatory (future link)
Repeating and emphasizing suggestions for correcting each input error in the context of its form field (future link)
Providing a way for the user to skip from each item in a list of suggestions to its corresponding form field (future link)
Providing additional contextual help for the form field requiring change (future link)
Accepting input data in a variety of formats (future link)
G199: Providing success feedback when data is submitted successfully
Providing a text description that contains information about the number of input errors, suggestions for corrections to each item, and instructions on how to proceed (future link)
Providing a text description that contains suggestions for correction as the first item (or one of the first items) of content, or emphasizing this information in the content (future link)
Displaying errors and suggestions in the context of the original form (for example, re-displaying a form where input errors and suggestions for correction are highlighted and displayed in the context of the original form) (future link)
Providing "correct examples" for data and data formats as initial text in mandatory form fields (future link)
Providing links to suggested correction text "close to" form fields, or providing the suggested correction text itself directly on the Web page "next to" form fields (future link)
SCR18: Providing client-side validation and alert (Scripting)
Providing client-side validation and adding error text via the DOM (future link)
Calling a function from the submit action of a form to perform client side validation (future link)
Informing the user what irreversible action is about to happen (future link)
SCR18: Providing client-side validation and alert (Scripting)
SL35: Using the Validation and ValidationSummary APIs to Implement Client Side Forms Validation in Silverlight (Silverlight)
Placing focus in the field containing the error (future link)
Avoiding use of the same words or letter combinations to begin each item of a drop-down list (future link)
G199: Providing success feedback when data is submitted successfully
H89: Using the title attribute to provide context-sensitive help (HTML)
Checking byte of character and auto-converting to expected byte for text input if applicable (future link)
Avoiding deprecated features of W3C technologies (future link)
Not displaying content that relies on technologies that are not accessibility-supported when the technology is turned off or not supported.
Providing labels for all form controls that do not have implicit labels (future link)