What is Consistent Navigation and Identification

Digital accessibility is mostly understood to take place under the bonnet - i.e. mainly in HTML and a little bit in CSS. In fact, however, the design of UI elements plays a major role. Linguistic comprehensibility is added as a third dimension at the latest with the European Accessibility Act.

Since this is often difficult, especially for those new to the topic: WCAG is always very concise, this is due to the universal claim of the document. In the context of the web, it actually always helps to read the "Understanding" documents associated with each WCAG success criterion. They contain examples that make it more tangible.

Another problem is that, in theory, the WCAG criteria always apply all at once. For example, you can't discuss consistent navigation without a keyboard without consistent identification without the whole block on form elements. I'll do it anyway.

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SC 3.2.3:Consistent Navigation (Level AA)

The "Consistent Navigation" criterion aims to ensure consistent and predictable navigation on a website. It is a fundamental requirement to improve the usability and accessibility of a website for persons with different abilities.

Consistent navigation means that the navigation structure, design and names of links and menus are consistent across all pages of a website. This allows users to navigate the website more easily, find the content they are looking for and move effectively through the different pages.

There are several aspects that should be considered when implementing consistent navigation. These include using a clear and consistent structure for the main navigation that remains the same on all pages. This can be achieved, for example, by a horizontal menu at the top or a vertical sidebar.

In addition, the names of links and menu items should be precise and meaningful to help users understand and anticipate the content they will encounter when clicking a link. It is important to avoid overly abstract or ambiguous labels to avoid confusion.

The placement of navigation components should also be consistent so that users can find them quickly. They should be placed in a highly visible and expected position to allow intuitive navigation.

Adherence to the Consistent Navigation criterion helps ensure that persons with disabilities, including visual impairments or cognitive limitations, can use the website effectively. Creating consistent and predictable navigation improves the user experience and reduces barriers to navigating the website.

3.2.4: Consistent Identification (Level AA)

Consistent Identification refers to the unique naming and identification of interaction elements such as links, buttons, form fields and other elements on a website. It is important that these elements are named and designed consistently across all pages of the website to ensure clear recognisability and usability.

An example of consistent identification is the use of the alt attribute for images. The alt attribute provides an alternative text description for images that is used by screen readers or other assistive technologies to communicate the content of images to persons with visual impairments. Consistent use of the alt attribute ensures that this information is presented in a coherent manner and that users have a consistent experience.

Another example concerns the labelling of form elements. When a form is present on a website, the labels for input fields, check boxes and buttons should be clear and consistent. This helps users understand and complete the input fields, especially for persons with visual impairments or cognitive limitations.

Consistent identification also has an impact on the navigation elements of a website. Using clear, unambiguous and consistent labels for menu items, links and buttons makes it easier for users to find their way around and access the content they want. For example, if the link to return to the home page is labelled "Home" on all pages, users can quickly identify where they are and how to navigate.

Adhering to the Consistent Identification criterion helps to make the website easier to understand and use for all users. persons with visual impairments, cognitive limitations or motor difficulties benefit from the clear identification and consistent design of the interaction elements.

2.4.6: Headings and Labels

The use of headings is important to indicate the structure and hierarchy of a web page. Proper use of headings allows users to quickly skim the content of a web page and easily identify important information. Headings should be arranged in a logical order, starting with the main heading (usually the H1 heading) and then in ascending order (H2, H3, etc.) for subordinate sections. However, this is already specified in the success criterion Info & Relationship. Heading and labels besagt hingegen, dass Überschriften deskriptiv sein, also den zu glieddernden Inhalt adäquat beschreiben.

The labels of form fields and other interactive elements are also important to help users understand their function. Clear and descriptive labels allow users to easily identify the form field or element they want and make correct entries. Form field labels should be concise and accurate to avoid misunderstandings or mistakes.

To meet the headings and captions criterion, web developers should ensure that their web pages implement the correct use of headings according to standard HTML tags (such as h1`, `h2`, `h3`, etc.). Additionally, form fields should be tagged with appropriate `

Link purpose in context

The purpose of this criterion is to ensure that links are clear and understandable to all users, including persons with visual impairments or cognitive disabilities. By using meaningful and contextual link text, users can better understand where a link will take them without relying on visual or other contextual information.

To meet the "Link Purpose in Context" criterion, link texts should be descriptive and unambiguous. They should give users a clear idea of what to expect when they click on the link. It is important to avoid generic phrases such as "click here" as they do not provide specific information about the link's destination.

Instead, the link text should reflect the content or function of the linked destination. For example, if a link points to an article titled "Accessible website design tips", the link text could be "Accessible website design tips". This way, users have a clear idea of where the link leads even before they activate it.

It is also important to ensure that links are presented in the context of surrounding text. The text surrounding the link should contain relevant information that explains the purpose of the link to the user. For example, if a link appears in a paragraph about accessible web development, the surrounding text should provide information that tells the user that the link contains further information on that topic.

Adherence to the Link Purpose in Context criterion improves the accessibility and usability of a web page. Users can more easily understand links and decide whether to follow them. persons with visual impairments who rely on screen readers can use the surrounding text to understand the purpose of the link and make informed decisions.

The correct design of link text and its placement in context is therefore crucial to ensure that websites are accessible and user-friendly to a wider audience. Providing clear information about the purpose of links allows users to navigate effectively and reach the desired content on a webpage.

It specifies that links on a web page should be designed in such a way that users can understand the purpose or goal of the link, based on the surrounding text or context.

The purpose of this criterion is to ensure that links are clear and understandable to all users, including persons with visual impairments or cognitive disabilities. By using meaningful and contextual link text, users can better understand where a link will take them without relying on visual or other contextual information.

To meet the "Link Purpose in Context" criterion, link texts should be descriptive and unambiguous. They should give users a clear idea of what to expect when they click on the link. It is important to avoid generic phrases such as "click here" as they do not provide specific information about the link's destination.

Instead, the link text should reflect the content or function of the linked destination. For example, if a link points to an article titled "Accessible website design tips", the link text could be "Accessible website design tips". This way, users have a clear idea of where the link is going even before they activate it.

It is also important to ensure that links are presented in the context of surrounding text. The text surrounding the link should contain relevant information that explains the purpose of the link to the user. For example, if a link appears in a paragraph about accessible web development, the surrounding text should provide information that tells the user that the link contains further information on that topic.

Adherence to the Link Purpose in Context criterion improves the accessibility and usability of a web page. Users can more easily understand links and decide whether to follow them. persons with visual impairments who rely on screen readers can use the surrounding text to understand the purpose of the link and make informed decisions.

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