Understanding Accessibility

Guideline 14. Ensure that documents are clear and simple.

Checkpoint 14.1 - Use the clearest and simplest language appropriate for a site's content

The purpose of this guideline is to prompt the web author to create text which is readable by everyone. The average reading level of the general population is around the 8th grade. Text which is accessible to individuals with cognitive disabilities should be around the 4th-5th grade level.

How do I do it?

Pages should be written using:

  1. short rather than long words
  2. short rather than long sentences
  3. single syllable rather than multi syllable words
  4. simple rather than complex terms and phrases
  5. jargon-free language
  6. direct rather than indirect writing style
  7. logical structure

How do I check that it meets the WCAG criteria?

Pages can be assessed using the Readability test tool. Pages which have a Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level of 5th Grade (5.x) or lower will pass the test. Pages with a Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level equal to or higher than 6th grade will fail the test.

Related Links:

guideline 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14