Wpgeta site for everyone: an accessibility reference

An independent reference about website accessibility. We do not build websites to order or sell hosting, and we are not connected with the former site on this domain.

Glossary

Glossary

Conversations about accessibility are full of words that sound technical but mean simple things. We've gathered the most useful ones and explained them briefly, so guidelines and other people's advice stop sounding like code, and you can talk through changes with whoever maintains your site.

Once you understand what focus is, you start noticing how often it gets hidden.

— Editor's note

About this section: each definition uses plain words and applies to an ordinary small website. The standards themselves are more complex, but this level of detail is usually enough to get started.

Basics and standards

Accessibility
The quality of a website that lets everyone use it, including people with disabilities, older readers and anyone in a tricky situation: with one free hand, with no sound, in bright sunlight.
WCAG
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, international recommendations developed by the W3C. The current version, WCAG 2.2, was published in October 2023. It rests on four principles: content must be perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. The conformance levels are A, AA and AAA.
GOST R 52872-2019
The Russian national standard setting accessibility requirements for websites, other digital information, apps and user interfaces for people with disabilities and other people with functional limitations. It took effect on 1 April 2020 and is based on WCAG 2.1. Many countries have their own accessibility rules, so check which ones apply where you are.
Plain language
A way of writing so that text is understood on the first read: short sentences, familiar words, one idea per paragraph and the key point first. It helps everyone, especially people reading in a second language or when tired.

Text and images

Contrast
The difference in brightness between text and its background, expressed as a ratio. Level AA requires at least 4.5:1 for normal text and at least 3:1 for large text.
Alt text
A short text description of an image, stored in the markup. Screen readers read it aloud, and browsers display it if the image fails to load. For decorative images, it's left empty.
Semantic markup
Markup in which every element is identified by its meaning: a heading as a heading, a list as a list, a button as a button. It's what lets assistive technology understand how a page is organized.
Page headings
A hierarchy of headings at different levels that works like a table of contents. Screen reader users often navigate by headings, so choose them for meaning, not for font size.

Navigation, audio and video

Focus
The indicator showing which element on the page is currently selected and will respond to a key press. It usually appears as an outline around a link, button or field and should be clearly visible.
Screen reader
Software that reads screen content aloud and lets people control a device by keyboard or gestures. It's built into most phones and computers and is used mainly by people who are blind or have low vision.
Captions
Text of the speech and meaningful sounds shown over a video in sync with it. They're essential for people who can't hear and useful for anyone watching with the sound off.
Transcript
The full text of an audio or video recording, published separately: what was said, by whom, and anything important happening on screen. You can read it at your own pace and search it.
  • Tools

    How to check a site yourself: browser zoom, the keyboard, high contrast mode, the built-in screen reader, color contrast checks and a markup validator.

  • Guides

    Step-by-step guides to making text readable, organizing a page with clear headings and building a contact form that works for everyone. Plus the article catalogue.

  • Comparisons

    Conformance levels A, AA and AAA; alt text vs. captions vs. transcripts; subtitles vs. transcripts vs. sign language, laid out in comparison tables.

  • Questions

    Answers to common questions about this reference, text and images, forms and video, and how to check your own site's accessibility without an expert.

  • Fixes

    What to do when focus is invisible, text breaks on zoom, a button has no label, form errors make no sense or a video has no captions.

Sources

  • W3C: WCAG 2.2 Recommendation
  • GOST R 52872-2019 (Russian national standard)
  • Wpget editorial materials

This information is stated in general terms as of the preparation date. Guidelines, browsers and reader habits change over time, so when in doubt, check the primary sources: the text of the WCAG guidelines and, for Russia, the current GOST R 52872-2019 standard.