Dictionary

accessibility, barrier-free

Accessible or barrier-free means,
everyone can use everything without any problems.

On the Internet, for example, this means:
Anyone can find and understand
information well.
Everyone can use websites and apps without any obstacles.
Offers on the Internet are clearly structured
and you can easily use them.

public, public bodies

Public means,
something is there for all people.
This could be a building, for example.
The City Hall, for example, is a public building.

Everyone is allowed to go to the town hall.
Public authorities, for example, are public bodies.
These are the offices of the State of Austria
and from the federal states.
For example, the financial office or the municipal office.

WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
This is English and means:
Guidelines for barrier-free online offers.

WCAG is used in many countries
of the world, including in the EU.
When public websites and apps are checked,
they will also see if they comply with the WCAG.

The 4 basic rules

There are 4 basic rules in the WCAG
for accessibility on the Internet:

Perceivable

This means: All people can
perceive all information and content.
For this to be possible, websites and apps, for example,
have to fulfill these things:

• Descriptions:
  Pictures and videos need a description.
  This description can be read
  to blind people, for example.
• Subtitle:
  For example, deaf people can read
  the subtitles on a video.
• Customize:
  People need to be able to customize
  how they see the website or app.
  For example, you need to be able
  to enlarge images or text.
• Different colors:
  The colors of the background and text
  must be very different.
  This is important
  so that you can read the text well.
  The same applies to other parts of the websites,
  for example buttons or writing fields.

Operable

This means: All people can
use all parts of the website or app well.
This includes, for example, these things:

• Operating with the keyboard:
  You have to be able to use everything well,
  even if you don't use a mouse.
• Enough time:
  For example, if you have to fill in or click on something,
  you have to have enough time for it.
  You must not be redirected automatically
  if you are too slow.
• No flashes:
  There must be no quick movements or flashes
  on the website or in the app.
  It bothers a lot of people or distracts them.
• Good construction:
  The website or app must be well-built.
  You have to find your way around easily
  and get everywhere quickly.

Understandable

This means:
All information is easy to understand.
And it's also easy to understand
how to use the website or app.
This includes, for example, these things:

• Read:
  You have to be able to read all parts well and easily.
  The scripture must be easy to recognize.
  The text must simply be written.
• Predictable:
  You have to understand exactly what happens
  when you press a button, for example.
• Help with filling in:
  If you have to fill out something,
  there must be explanations.

Robust

This means:
People can always use websites and apps.
No matter what device you are using.
Whether they use an aid or not.
An auxiliary means is, for example,
a program that reads the screen.

78 accessibility rules

All in all, the WCAG has
78 rules for accessibility on the Internet.  
They are divided into 3 groups:

• Level A:
  These are the most important rules.
  Every website or app must comply with these rules,
  otherwise it cannot be barrier-free.
• Level AA:
  These rules are important, but not the most important ones.
• Level AAA:
  These are additional rules.
  They're not that important.
  But it's still good if websites and apps stick to it.