Compatible
Summary:
WCAG 4.1, "Compatible," is all about ensuring web content's compatibility with current and future user tools, particularly assistive technologies. This principle is crucial for users with disabilities who rely on various technologies to navigate and interact with digital content.
What:
4.1 ensures web content is properly structured and coded for compatibility with assistive technologies, focusing on correct parsing, accurate naming and roles for UI elements, and programmatically determined status messages.
- 4.1.1 Parsing: Web content must be created using proper markup language, ensuring that user agents, including assistive technologies, can accurately interpret and parse the content.
- 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value: For all user interface components, the name and role must be determined, and the states, properties, and values that the user can set must be programmably settable.
- 4.1.3 Status Messages: Status messages in the content must be programmatically determined through role or properties such that they can be presented to the user by assistive technologies without receiving focus.
Why:
Ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies and user agents is essential for accessibility. Proper structure, semantic markup, and status messages allow these technologies to accurately convey content and interact with users, providing a seamless and inclusive experience.
Examples and Scenarios:
- Correct HTML Structure: Using valid HTML ensures screen readers can accurately interpret page content.
- Accessible Interactive Elements: Properly labeled form elements and buttons aid users in understanding and interacting with UI components.
- Informative Status Messages: Providing accessible status updates for actions like form submissions or page loading enhances user understanding and control.
How to Comply:
- Websites: Follow standards for clean, semantic HTML and ensure that dynamic content is accessible.
- Mobile Apps: Use accessible frameworks and provide accessible status messages.
- Software Applications: Implement accessible interfaces, focusing on compatibility with various assistive technologies and user agents.