ACCESSIBILITY
GLOSSARY
Understand the language behind digital accessibility
Accessibility can feel technical, especially when conversations include acronyms, compliance standards, assistive technologies, and testing methods. This glossary was created by RIV to make key terminology easier to understand so teams can make better decisions, communicate more clearly, and build more inclusive digital experiences.
Whether you are reviewing an audit, preparing for remediation, creating an ACR or VPAT, or simply learning the basics, this page gives you a practical starting point.
Why This Glossary Matters
Digital accessibility involves more than meeting a checklist. It requires a shared understanding of the terms, tools, and standards that shape accessible design and development. When teams understand the language, they are better equipped to identify issues, prioritize fixes, and create experiences that work for more people.s
Common Accessibility Term
Accessibility
Accessibility is the practice of designing and developing digital experiences so people with disabilities can use them effectively. This includes websites, mobile apps, software, documents, and digital tools.
ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. In digital contexts, ADA compliance is often discussed in relation to accessible websites, applications, and online services.
Assistive Technology
Assistive technology refers to tools that help people interact with digital content. Examples include screen readers, screen magnifiers, voice control software, switch devices, and refreshable Braille displays.
ARIA
Accessible Rich Internet Applications, usually called ARIA, is a set of attributes that helps improve the accessibility of dynamic content and custom interface components. ARIA can support users of assistive technologies when native HTML alone is not enough, but it must be used carefully.
Color Contrast
Color contrast refers to the difference in brightness between text or interface elements and their background. Sufficient contrast helps users with low vision, color blindness, or visual fatigue read and interact with content more easily.
Keyboard Accessibility
Keyboard accessibility means a website or application can be used without a mouse. Users should be able to navigate, interact with controls, and complete tasks using only a keyboard.
Focus Indicator
A focus indicator is the visible outline or highlight that shows which interactive element is currently selected when navigating by keyboard. Without a clear focus state, keyboard users can easily lose their place.
Alternative Text
Alternative text, often called alt text, is a written description added to meaningful images. It allows screen reader users to understand the purpose or content of an image.
Screen Reader
A screen reader is assistive technology that reads digital content aloud or outputs it to a Braille display. Screen readers help users who are blind or have low vision navigate websites, apps, and documents.
Semantic HTML
Semantic HTML uses the correct HTML elements for their intended purpose, such as headings, buttons, lists, and landmarks. It creates stronger structure and improves compatibility with assistive technologies.
Form Labels
Form labels identify the purpose of input fields such as name, email, or password. Properly associated labels are essential for screen reader users and improve overall usability.
Captions
Captions are synchronized text versions of spoken dialogue and relevant audio in video content. They support people who are deaf or hard of hearing and also benefit users in sound-sensitive environments.
Transcripts
A transcript is a text version of audio or video content. It helps users access information in an alternative format and can be especially useful for podcasts, webinars, and recorded presentations.
Accessible PDFs
Accessible PDFs are documents structured so screen readers and keyboard users can read and navigate them. This includes proper tagging, reading order, headings, table structure, alt text, and form accessibility where needed.
Testing and Audit Terms
Accessibility Audit
An accessibility audit is a structured evaluation of a digital experience to identify barriers for people with disabilities. Audits may include automated scanning, manual expert review, assistive technology testing, and documentation of findings.
Automated Testing
Automated testing uses tools to scan pages or components for certain accessibility issues. It is useful for identifying detectable problems quickly, but it does not catch every issue.
Manual Testing
Manual testing involves human review of a website or application to identify issues that automated tools miss. This includes reviewing keyboard behavior, focus order, content meaning, labels, screen reader usability, and overall interaction patterns.
Screen Reader Testing
Screen reader testing checks how well content and interface elements are announced and navigated using assistive technology. It helps reveal issues with structure, labels, controls, and dynamic content.
Keyboard Testing
Keyboard testing verifies whether users can navigate and operate the entire experience using the keyboard alone. It often reveals problems with menus, forms, modals, dialogs, and custom components.
User Testing
User testing involves people, often including users with disabilities, interacting with a product to identify real-world barriers and usability issues. It provides insights that technical testing alone may not uncover.
Remediation
Remediation is the process of fixing accessibility issues identified during an audit or review. This may involve updates to code, design, content, documents, media, or workflows.
Ongoing Monitoring
Accessibility is not a one-time activity. Ongoing monitoring helps organizations maintain accessibility as content changes, products evolve, and new features are released.
Standards and Compliance Terms
WCAG
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, known as WCAG, are the most widely recognized international standards for digital accessibility. WCAG provides success criteria for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities.
WCAG 2.1 and WCAG 2.2
WCAG 2.1 and WCAG 2.2 are versions of the guidelines that expand accessibility requirements to better address mobile access, cognitive accessibility, low vision, and modern user interactions.
Conformance Level
WCAG includes three levels of conformance: A, AA, and AAA. Most organizations target Level AA because it is widely recognized as the practical standard for accessibility compliance.
Section 508
Section 508 is a U.S. federal requirement that requires certain government agencies and contractors to make digital technology accessible. It is commonly referenced in public sector procurement and compliance work.
EN 301 549
EN 301 549 is the European accessibility standard for information and communication technology. It is often referenced in public procurement and accessibility requirements across Europe.
VPAT
A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template is a document used to report how a digital product meets accessibility standards. It helps buyers, procurement teams, and institutions evaluate accessibility before purchase.
ACR
An Accessibility Conformance Report is the completed report based on a VPAT template. It documents how a website, platform, app, or product aligns with a specific accessibility standard.
Accessibility Is an Ongoing Practice
Learning the language of accessibility is an important first step, but real progress happens when that understanding is applied across design, development, content, and quality assurance. Accessibility improves usability, reduces risk, and helps more people fully engage with your digital experience.
If your team needs help understanding accessibility findings, preparing documentation, or improving an existing website or product, RIV can help translate technical requirements into practical next steps.
Need Help Applying These Terms?
If you are reviewing accessibility requirements, planning an audit, or preparing for remediation, contact RIV to discuss your website, product, or document accessibility needs.