General Techniques

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These WCAG Techniques are currently under review by the Mobile Accessibility Task Force. Any changes marked are a draft and are NOT approved by the Mobile Accessibility Task Force and the WCAG Working Group

Instructions to the Task Force

Select a technique to evaluate.
Read the full technique in the WCAG Techniques
Determine if the technique is applicable to Mobile Accessibility.
- If the technique is not applicable to mobile accessibility (please use this category sparingly – beware mobile stereotypes):
 - Edit the list below by pasting this string after the technique name:
```
 (not applicable) 
```
 - Add your name and date at the end of the same line.
 - Save this page.
- If the technique is applicable but does not require any changes:
 - Edit the list below and paste this string after the technique name:
```
 (applicable as is) 
```
 - Add your name and date at the end of the same line.
 - Save this page.
- If the technique requires changes:
 - Edit the list below by adding double brackets [[ ]] around the number of the technique to make a new wiki page. (Don't include the colon inside the brackets.)
 - Paste this string after the technique name:
```
 (requires changes)
```
 - Add your name and date at the end of the same line.
 - Save this page.
 - Open the new page by clicking on the red link.
 - Copy the technique link from the WCAG Techniques page. The link should have the date 20120103 in it.
 - Copy and paste the list below at the top of the page, and enter your comments.
 - Save the new page.

'''Notes on the WCAG Technique Sections'''
* Applicability: PLACEHOLDER
* Description: PLACEHOLDER 
* Examples: PLACEHOLDER 
* Related: PLACEHOLDER
* Tests: PLACEHOLDER 
- NAME and DATE

General Techniques

G1: Adding a link at the top of each page that goes directly to the main content area (not applicable) Jeanne Spellman 16 Jan 2014; Jon Avila (reconsider applicability)
G4: Allowing the content to be paused and restarted from where it was paused (requires changes) Jeanne Spellman 16 Jan 2014
G5: Allowing users to complete an activity without any time limit (applicable as is) Jeanne Spellman 16 Jan 2014
G8: Providing a movie with extended audio descriptions (applicable as is) Kim Patch, Jeanne Spellman 2 February 2014
G9: Creating captions for live synchronized media (requires changes) Kim Patch, Jeanne Spellman 2 February 2014
G10: Creating components using a technology that supports the accessibility API features of the platforms on which the user agents will be run to expose the names and roles, allow user-settable properties to be directly set, and provide notification of changes (requires changes) Kim Patch, Jeanne Spellman 2 February 2014
G11: Creating content that blinks for less than 5 seconds (applicable as is) Kim Patch 2 February 2014
G13: Describing what will happen before a change to a form control that causes a change of context to occur is made (applicable as is) Kim Patch, Jeanne Spellman 2 February 2014
G14: Ensuring that information conveyed by color differences is also available in text (applicable as is) Kim Patch, Jeanne Spellman 2 February 2014
G15: Using a tool to ensure that content does not violate the general flash threshold or red flash threshold (applicable as is) Kim Patch, Jeanne Spellman 2 February 2014
G17: Ensuring that a contrast ratio of at least 7:1 exists between text (and images of text) and background behind the text (applicable as is) Kim Patch 2 February 2014
G18: Ensuring that a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 exists between text (and images of text) and background behind the text (applicable as is) Kim Patch 2 February 2014
G19: Ensuring that no component of the content flashes more than three times in any 1-second period (applicable as is) Kim Patch 2 February 2014
G21: Ensuring that users are not trapped in content (requires changes) Kim Patch, Jeanne Spellman 2 February 2014
G53: Identifying the purpose of a link using link text combined with the text of the enclosing sentence (requires changes) Kim Patch, Jeanne Spellman 2 February 2014
G54: Including a sign language interpreter in the video stream (applicable as is) Kim Patch 2 February 2014
G55: Linking to definitions (applicable as is) Kim Patch 2 February 2014
G56: Mixing audio files so that non-speech sounds are at least 20 decibels lower than the speech audio content (applicable as is) Kim Patch 2 February 2014
G57: Ordering the content in a meaningful sequence (applicable as is) Kim Patch 2 February 2014
G58: Placing a link to the alternative for time-based media immediately next to the non-text content (applicable as is) Kim Patch 2 February 2014
G59: Placing the interactive elements in an order that follows sequences and relationships within the content (applicable as is) Kim Patch, Jeanne Spellman 2 February 2014
G60: Playing a sound that turns off automatically within three seconds (requires changes) Kim Patch, Jeanne Spellman 2 February 2014
G61: Presenting repeated components in the same relative order each time they appear (requires changes) Detlev Fischer 07 Feb 2014
G62: Providing a glossary (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 07 Feb 2014
G63: Providing a site map (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 07 Feb 2014
G64: Providing a Table of Contents (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 07 Feb 2014
G65: Providing a breadcrumb trail (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 07 Feb 2014
G68: Providing a short text alternative that describes the purpose of live audio-only and live video-only content (requires changes) Detlev Fischer 07 Feb 2014
G69: Providing an alternative for time based media (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 07 Feb 2014
G70: Providing a function to search an online dictionary (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 07 Feb 2014
G71: Providing a help link on every Web page (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 07 Feb 2014
G73: Providing a long description in another location with a link to it that is immediately adjacent to the non-text content (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 07 Feb 2014
G74: Providing a long description in text near the non-text content, with a reference to the location of the long description in the short description (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 07 Feb 2014
G75: Providing a mechanism to postpone any updating of content (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 24 Feb 2014
G76: Providing a mechanism to request an update of the content instead of updating automatically (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 24 Feb 2014
G78: Providing a second, user-selectable, audio track that includes audio descriptions (requires changes) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G79: Providing a spoken version of the text (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G80: Providing a submit button to initiate a change of context (requires changes) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G81: Providing a synchronized video of the sign language interpreter that can be displayed in a different viewport or overlaid on the image by the player (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G82: Providing a text alternative that identifies the purpose of the non-text content (requires changes) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G83: Providing text descriptions to identify required fields that were not completed (requires changes) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G84: Providing a text description when the user provides information that is not in the list of allowed values (requires changes) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G85: Providing a text description when user input falls outside the required format or values (requires changes) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G86: Providing a text summary that requires reading ability less advanced than the upper secondary education level (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G87: Providing closed captions (requires changes) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G88: Providing descriptive titles for Web pages (requires changes) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G89: Providing expected data format and example (requires changes) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G90: Providing keyboard-triggered event handlers (requires changes) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G91: Providing link text that describes the purpose of a link (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G92: Providing long description for non-text content that serves the same purpose and presents the same information (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G93: Providing open (always visible) captions (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G94: Providing short text alternative for non-text content that serves the same purpose and presents the same information as the non-text content (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G95: Providing short text alternatives that provide a brief description of the non-text content (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G96: Providing textual identification of items that otherwise rely only on sensory information to be understood (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G97: Providing the first use of an abbreviation immediately before or afterfollowing the expanded form (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G98: Providing the ability for the user to review and correct answers before submitting (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G99: Providing the ability to recover deleted information (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G100: Providing a short text alternative which is the accepted name or a descriptive name of the non-text content (applicable as is) Detlev Fischer 26 Feb 2014
G101: Providing the definition of a word or phrase used in an unusual or restricted way (applicable as is) David Todd 14 March 2014
G102: Providing the expansion or explanation of an abbreviation (applicable as is) David Todd 14 March 2014
G103: Providing visual illustrations, pictures, and symbols to help explain ideas, events, and processes (applicable as is) David Todd 14 March 2014
G105: Saving data so that it can be used after a user re-authenticates (applicable as is) David Todd 14 March 2014
G107: Using "activate" rather than "focus" as a trigger for changes of context (applicable as is) David Todd 18 March 2014
G108: Using markup features to expose the name and role, allow user-settable properties to be directly set, and provide notification of changes (applicable as is) David Todd 18 March 2014
G110: Using an instant client-side redirect (applicable as is) David Todd 18 March 2014
G111: Using color and pattern (applicable as is) David Todd 18 March 2014
G112: Using inline definitions (applicable as is) David Todd 18 March 2014
G115: Using semantic elements to mark up structure (applicable as is) David Todd 18 March 2014
G117: Using text to convey information that is conveyed by variations in presentation of text (applicable as is) David Todd 19 March 2014
G120: Providing the pronunciation immediately following the word (applicable as is) David Todd 19 March 2014
G121: Linking to pronunciations (applicable as is) David Todd 19 March 2014
G123: Adding a link at the beginning of a block of repeated content to go to the end of the block (applicable as is) David Todd 19 March 2014
G124: Adding links at the top of the page to each area of the content (applicable as is) David Todd 19 March 2014
G125: Providing links to navigate to related Web pages (applicable as is) David Todd 20 March 2014
G126: Providing a list of links to all other Web pages (applicable as is) David Todd 20 March 2014
G127: Identifying a Web page's relationship to a larger collection of Web pages (applicable as is) David Todd 20 March 2014
G128: Indicating current location within navigation bars (applicable as is) David Todd 20 March 2014
G130: Providing descriptive headings (applicable as is) David Todd 20 March 2014
G131: Providing descriptive labels (applicable as is) David Todd 28 March 2014
G133: Providing a checkbox on the first page of a multipart form that allows users to ask for longer session time limit or no session time limit (applicable as is) David Todd 28 March 2014
G134: Validating Web pages (applicable as is) David Todd 28 March 2014
G135: Using the accessibility API features of a technology to expose names and roles, to allow user-settable properties to be directly set, and to provide notification of changes (applicable as is) David Todd 28 March 2014
G136: Providing a link at the beginning of a nonconforming Web page that points to a conforming alternate version (applicable as is) David Todd 28 March 2014
G138: Using semantic markup whenever color cues are used (applicable as is) David Todd 28 March 2014
G139: Creating a mechanism that allows users to jump to errors (applicable as is) David Todd 28 March 2014
G140: Separating information and structure from presentation to enable different presentations (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G141: Organizing a page using headings (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G142: Using a technology that has commonly-available user agents that support zoom (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G143: Providing a text alternative that describes the purpose of the CAPTCHA (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G144: Ensuring that the Web Page contains another CAPTCHA serving the same purpose using a different modality (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G145: Ensuring that a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 exists between text (and images of text) and background behind the text (requires changes) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G146: Using liquid layout (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G148: Not specifying background color, not specifying text color, and not using technology features that change those defaults (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G149: Using user interface components that are highlighted by the user agent when they receive focus (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G150: Providing text based alternatives for live audio-only content (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G151: Providing a link to a text transcript of a prepared statement or script if the script is followed (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G152: Setting animated gif images to stop blinking after n cycles (within 5 seconds) (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G153: Making the text easier to read (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G155: Providing a checkbox in addition to a submit button (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G156: Using a technology that has commonly-available user agents that can change the foreground and background of blocks of text (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G157: Incorporating a live audio captioning service into a Web page (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G158: Providing an alternative for time-based media for audio-only content (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G159: Providing an alternative for time-based media for video-only content (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G160: Providing sign language versions of information, ideas, and processes that must be understood in order to use the content (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G161: Providing a search function to help users find content (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G162: Positioning labels to maximize predictability of relationships (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G163: Using standard diacritical marks that can be turned off (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G164: Providing a stated period of time after submission of the form when the order can within which an online request (or transaction) may be updated, amended or canceled by the user after making the request (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G165: Using the default focus indicator for the platform so that high visibility default focus indicators will carry over (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G166: Providing audio that describes the important video content and describing it as such (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G167: Using an adjacent button to label the purpose of a field (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G168: Requesting confirmation to continue with selected action (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G169: Aligning text on only one side (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G170: Providing a control near the beginning of the Web page that turns off sounds that play automatically (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G171: Playing sounds only on user request (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G172: Providing a mechanism to remove full justification of text (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G173: Providing a version of a movie with audio descriptions (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G174: Providing a control with a sufficient contrast ratio that allows users to switch to a presentation that uses sufficient contrast (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G175: Providing a multi color selection tool on the page for foreground and background colors (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G176: Keeping the flashing area small enough (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G177: Providing suggested correction text (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G178: Providing controls on the Web page that allow users to incrementally change the size of all text on the page up to 200 percent (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G179: Ensuring that there is no loss of content or functionality when the text resizes and text containers do not change their width (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G180: Providing the user with a means to set the time limit to 10 times the default time limit (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G181: Encoding user data as hidden or encrypted data in a re-authorization page (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G182: Ensuring that additional visual cues are available when text color differences are used to convey information (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G183: Using a contrast ratio of 3:1 with surrounding text and providing additional visual cues on focus for links or controls where color alone is used to identify them (requires changes) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G184: Providing text instructions at the beginning of a form or set of fields that describes the necessary input (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G185: Linking to all of the pages on the site from the home page (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G186: Using a control in the Web page that stops moving, blinking, or auto-updating content (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G187: Using a technology to include blinking content that can be turned off via the user agent (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G188: Providing a button on the page to increase line spaces and paragraph spaces (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G189: Providing a control near the beginning of the Web page that changes the link text (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G190: Providing a link adjacent to or associated with a non-conforming object that links to a conforming alternate version (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G191: Providing a link, button, or other mechanism that reloads the page without any blinking content (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G192: Fully conforming to specifications (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G193: Providing help by an assistant in the Web page (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G194: Providing spell checking and suggestions for text input (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G195: Using an author-supplied, highly visible focus indicator (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G196: Using a text alternative on one item within a group of images that describes all items in the group (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G197: Using labels, names, and text alternatives consistently for content that has the same functionality (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G198: Providing a way for the user to turn the time limit off (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G199: Providing success feedback when data is submitted successfully (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G200: Opening new windows and tabs from a link only when necessary (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G201: Giving users advanced warning when opening a new window (applicable as is) Alan Smith 10 April 2014
G202: Ensuring keyboard control for all functionality (requires changes) Alan Smith 10 April 2014