Operable
Summary
Principle 2 of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) emphasizes the need for web content to be operable for all users, including those with disabilities. This principle ensures that interface components and navigation must be operable.
Why It's Important:
Operability is crucial to ensure users with diverse abilities can interact with and navigate through web content. It includes considerations for keyboard-only navigation, sufficient time for interactions, seizure safety, clear navigation tools, and support for multiple input methods.
Examples and Scenarios:
- Keyboard Navigation: Ensuring all website functions can be accessed with a keyboard.
- Adjustable Timers: Allowing users to extend time limits on tasks.
- No Flashing Content: Avoiding content that flashes more than three times per second to prevent seizures.
- Clear Navigation Tools: Providing breadcrumb trails, clear headings, and a search function for easy navigation.
- Gesture Adaptations: Enabling gesture control for touch interfaces.
How to Comply:
Implement keyboard navigation, provide adjustable time limits, avoid seizure-triggering content, ensure clear navigation pathways, and support diverse input methods.
Exceptions:
- Complex Navigation: Some complex sites might not be able to provide simplified navigation paths but should strive for clarity as much as possible.
- Advanced Interaction: Certain advanced web functionalities might not be operable by keyboard alone, but alternatives should be provided.