WCAG A Standards

Non-distinguishable Links
Image Alternative Text
Presentational Attributes
Avoid HTML Bold Tags
Avoid HTML Italic Tags
Header Nesting

Non-distinguishable Links

"Error occurs when same text is used for links pointing to different destinations."

Example:

For instance an error will occur if the text "Admissions" is used twice on your webpage and it is linked to different destinations. Here is how that can happen:

First "Admissions" link is pointing to Office Admissions root directory at:
https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/admissions/

While the second "Admissions" link is pointing to the index.html file at:
https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/admissions/index.html

Although they are going to the same location, some reader applications will treat the links as pointing to a different destinations.

How to fix the error:

Always make sure to create links using OU dependency tags pointing to the destination website root directory instead of pointing directly to the index file.
If you are linking to separate destination sources then make sure internet users utilizing a screen reader can distinguish between the links by doing one of the following:
1. Link text is unique. For example "Undergraduate Admissions" & "Graduate Admissions" instead of "Admissions".
2. Using aria-label* attribute to place a descriptive text label on your link object.
3. In addition to using aria-label make sure your link title is using a unique value.

* What is aria-label?
aria-label helps readers override the text supplied within the link.

Missing Image Alternative Text

"All images including presentational images should include alt tag. If image is linked then the alt tag should state the purpose of the link."

Example:

An error will occur if you are missing the alternative text attribute in your image tag. For instance:

Presentational images:
<img src="myimage.jpg" />

Non-presentational (linked) images:
<a href="mypage.html" title="visit the setup page"><img src="myimage.jpg" /></a>

How to fix the error:

Presentational images:
<img src="myimage.jpg" alt="" />

Non-presentational (linked) images:
<a href="mypage.html" title="visit the setup page"><img src="myimage.jpg" alt="go to the setup page" /></a>

Presentational Attributes

"Error occurs when presentational attributes are used in html tags instead of CSS."

Example:

For instance an error will occur if "align", "bgcolor" and "border" presentational attributes are used within html tag like "table" or "img". Here is an example:

<img src="myimage.jpg" border="0px" />

How to fix the error:

Use CSS instead.
Contact Web Services if you need assistance.

Avoid HTML Bold Tags

"Please avoid using the html bold tag “b” on your webpages. Instead you may use the html “strong” tag. Our CMS Editor automatically uses the “strong” tag when you select to make a word bold."

Example:

<b>Hello</b>

How to fix the error:

Should change to
<strong>Hello</strong>

Avoid HTML Italic Tags

"Please avoid using the html italic tag “I” on your webpages. Instead you may use the html “EM” tag. Our CMS Editor automatically uses the “EM” tag when you select to make a word italic."

Example:

<i>Hello</i>

How to fix the error:

Should change to
<em>Hello</em>

Header Nesting

"Headings should be used to structure the page and not just for formatting. <H2> should follow <H1> and if the size is not correct, apply an appropriate style like <H2><span class="Alternate-H3"> to control the size."

Example of correct header nesting:

Example of incorrect header nesting:

This often occurs when the user is tempted to use inappropriate headings for styling.

How to fix the error:

Instead use a styled heading to control the size and styling of the font to achieve the same look but achieve appropriate header nesting: