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Web accessibility glossary 

Web accessibility is the inclusive practice of ensuring that people with disabilities do not face barriers that prevent interaction or access to websites on the World Wide Web.

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A11Y
A11Y is shorthand for accessibility — 'a' plus 11 letters plus 'y.' Learn what it means, why it matters, and how to make your digital products A11Y-compliant.
Accessibility audit
Discover the importance of accessibility audits for websites and digital assets. Ensure you are accessible to people with a variety of disabilities.
Accessibility Conformance Report
Learn about the Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) and ensure you are complying with relevant web accessibility legislation to their fullest extent.
Accessibility remediation
Learn about accessibility remediation and how it can improve website accessibility for people with disabilities. Discover best practices and tips for 2024.
Accessibility statement
Discover the importance of an accessibility statement and how it can benefit your website. Learn how to create one with our expert guide.
Accessibility testing
Discover the importance of accessibility testing and how it ensures equal access to digital content. Learn more about this crucial process now.
Accessible design
Accessible design makes digital experiences usable for everyone, including people with disabilities. Learn the core principles and how to apply them.
ARIA
ARIA is a set of W3C HTML roles and attributes that make web content and apps accessible to people with disabilities. Learn how ARIA works and when to use it.
Assistive learning device
Explore the world of assistive learning devices (ALDs) and help foster more inclusive policies and spaces.
Assistive technology
Discover the definition and importance of assistive technology and learn how it helps people with disabilities access websites and web-based applications.
Audio accessibility
Learn everything you need to know about audio accessibility. Ensure people with hearing impairments can fully access information appearing in audio form.
Blindness
Learn what blindness is, its main causes, types, and how it affects daily life and web accessibility. A clear, authoritative overview from accessiBe.
Braille
Braille is a tactile writing system that empowers blind and low-vision readers. Explore its meaning, origins, and real-world impact on accessibility.
Closed captions
Discover what closed captions are, how they differ from subtitles, and how to implement them so all users can fully access your video content.
Cochlear implant
Learn how cochlear implants work, who they help, and why they matter for web accessibility. A clear, expert definition from accessiBe.
Cognitive accessibility
Discover the meaning of cognitive accessibility and how it aids your digital environments. Ensure that your website welcomes people with cognitive impairments.
Color blindness
Learn what color blindness is, how it affects perception, and why designing for color blindness matters for inclusive, accessible web experiences.
Color contrast
Understand color contrast ratios, why they matter for ADA and EAA compliance, and how WCAG AA and AAA standards define accessible color requirements.
Conformance level
Understand what WCAG conformance levels A, AA, and AAA mean, how they differ, and which level your website needs to meet legal and accessibility standards.
Deaf culture
Explore the defining traits, values, and history of Deaf culture—and learn how inclusive design supports the Deaf community online.
Deaf vs. deaf
Capital-D Deaf signals cultural identity; lowercase deaf describes hearing loss. One letter, two meanings - and why the distinction matters.
Deafness
Learn what deafness means, its causes, and the unique online barriers the Deaf community faces. Understand how accessible design bridges the gap.
Digital accessibility
Learn about the concept of digital accessibility and its significance in ensuring equal online access for people of all abilities.
Disability
Understand what disability means, its types, and how it affects people's ability to access websites and digital content. A clear, authoritative guide.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
Learn about the meaning and importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and how it can positively impact your business.
Document remediation
Discover the meaning and importance of document remediation, a process that ensures accessibility and compliance with legal standards.
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)
Learn about Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and its significance in sustainable business practices.
Hard of hearing
Understand the hard of hearing definition, its spectrum of hearing loss, and how to make digital experiences more accessible for people who are hard of hearing.
Hearing aid
Explore how hearing aids work, who uses them, and why they matter for digital accessibility. A clear guide from the accessiBe glossary.
Hearing impairment
Learn what a hearing impairment is. Understand the unique challenges people who have a hearing impairment face and discover ways in which you can help them.
Inclusive design
Inclusive design creates experiences that work for everyone, including people with disabilities. Learn the core principles, benefits, and how to apply them.
Inclusivity
Learn what inclusivity means, why it matters, and how to build inclusive digital experiences that meet ADA and Section 508 requirements.
Input assistance
Input Assistance helps users avoid and correct mistakes on web forms. Learn what WCAG requires and how to make your site fully conformant.
Input device
Explore what input devices are, the types available, and how they help people with disabilities interact with computers and the web.
Invisible disability
Learn about invisible disabilities, and understand the challenges faced by those who have them. Learn how to make your website inclusive and accessible to all.
JAWS
Learn what the JAWS screen reader is, how it works, and why it matters for web accessibility. A clear, expert definition from accessiBe.
Keyboard navigation
Learn everything you need to know about keyboard navigation. Ensure your website is keyboard navigable so people with certain disabilities can fully access it.
Lip reading
Learn how lip readers decode speech visually, who relies on this skill, and why accessible design must account for lip reading needs.
Low vision
Low vision is a significant visual impairment not fully correctable by glasses or surgery. Learn how it differs from blindness and affects daily life.
Motor impairment
Motor impairment affects movement and physical control, creating barriers online. Learn what it means and how to make your website accessible to all users.
NVDA
NVDA is a free, open-source screen reader that helps blind and visually impaired users navigate websites and digital content. Learn how it works.
Person with disability
Discover the definition of a person with disabilities and gain a deeper understanding of their unique challenges and needs.
Photosensitivity
Discover what photosensitivity is, its causes, and how to make your website accessible for users with light sensitivity. Practical guidance from accessiBe.
Public accommodation
Discover what a public accommodation is and how they must be accessible to people with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Readability
Readability measures how easily users can read and understand content. Learn how typography, layout, and contrast affect readability and web accessibility.
Reasonable accommodation
Discover the importance of providing reasonable accommodation in the workplace. Learn how it benefits both employees with disabilities and employers.
Reasonable adjustment
Discover the meaning and importance of providing reasonable adjustment in the workplace. Learn how it benefits both employees with disabilities and employers.
Screen reader
A screen reader converts digital text to speech or braille, helping users with vision impairments navigate websites and apps. Learn how screen readers work.
Sign language
Discover what sign language is, how it functions as a complete natural language, and why it's essential for Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities worldwide.
Speech recognition
Learn everything you need to know about speech recognition. Understand how this technology can help people with disabilities engage with digital environment.
Usability
Usability measures how effectively users accomplish goals within a system. Explore core principles, key metrics, and how usability connects to accessible design.
User testing
User testing reveals how real people interact with your site. Learn what it is, why it matters, and how it improves usability and accessibility for everyone.
Video accessibility
Discover what video accessibility is. Learn how to ensure your video content can be properly accessed by people with certain disabilities.
Vision impairment
Explore types of vision impairment and how they affect web browsing. Learn how to make your website accessible for users with low vision or blindness.
Visual alerting device
Learn about visual alerting devices and how they can help people with certain disabilities in a variety of environments.
Voice user input
Learn how voice input devices work and why they're essential for web accessibility. Discover how spoken commands help users with disabilities navigate the web.
VPAT
A VPAT documents how a product meets accessibility standards. Learn what it includes, who needs one, and how it supports Section 508 compliance.
W3C
Learn what the World Wide Web Consortium is, how W3C standards shape web accessibility, and why its guidelines matter for building a more inclusive web.
WCAG
Learn what WCAG is, how its success criteria and conformance levels work, and why it's the global standard for web accessibility compliance.
Web accessibility
Website accessibility ensures people with disabilities can use your site. Learn what it means, why it's legally required, and how to achieve compliance.
Web accessibility compliance
Discover the importance of web accessibility compliance and how it provides people with disabilities with equal access to online environments.
Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
Learn the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) and how it impacts and shapes web accessibility standards and guidelines.
Web accessibility principles
Discover the four principles of web accessibility and learn how they can help guide in creating accessible websites, videos, online documents and emails.
What is alt text?
Alt text makes images accessible to screen reader users and boosts SEO. Learn what it is, how it works, and how to write it correctly for your website.

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