Clear language
Guideline
Users can understand the content without having to process complex or unclear language.
This guideline will include exceptions for poetic, scriptural, artistic, and other content whose main goal is expressive rather than informative.
See also: Structure as these guidelines are closely related.
To ensure this guideline works well across different languages, we are working with W3C’s Accessibility Internationalization Community Group, the Internationalization (i18n) Working Group, and others to review and refine the testing and techniques for these provisions. If you are aware of any readability guidance for your language or region, particularly for languages other than English, please email public-agwg-comments@w3.org.
User needs
This content needs to be written.
Provisions under this guideline
- Abbreviations explained
- Non-literal language explained
- Summaries available
- Common words used
- Diacritics available
- No nested clauses
- No unnecessary words
- Numerical alternatives available
- Clear language review
- Visual aids review
Key Terms
- conformance
satisfying all the requirements of the guidelines
Conformance is an important part of following the guidelines even when not making a formal Conformance Claim
See the Conformance section for more information.
- content
information, sensory experience and interactions conveyed
- guideline
high-level, plain-language outcome statements used to organize requirements
Guidelines provide a high-level, plain-language outcome statements for managers, policy makers, individuals who are new to accessibility, and other individuals who need to understand the concepts but not dive into the technical details. They provide an easy-to-understand way of organizing and presenting the requirements so that non-experts can learn about and understand the concepts.
Each guideline includes a unique, descriptive name along with a high-level plain-language summary. Guidelines address functional needs on specific topics, such as contrast, forms, readability, and more.
Guidelines group related requirements and are technology-independent.
- informative
content provided for information purposes and not required for conformance. Also referred to as non-normative
- requirement
result of practices that reduce or eliminate barriers that people with disabilities experience