Accessibility Compliance

Accessibility compliance

Practical accessibility patterns for journalism and academic web publishing.

When to activate

• Building or auditing news websites
• Writing alt text for article images
• Creating accessible data visualizations
• Developing tools that journalists use
• Ensuring multimedia content is accessible
• Meeting legal accessibility requirements
• Publishing academic content online

WCAG essentials for news sites

The four principles (POUR)

## WCAG 2.1 AA checklist (journalism focus)

### Perceivable
- [ ] Images have meaningful alt text
- [ ] Videos have captions
- [ ] Audio has transcripts
- [ ] Color isn't the only way to convey info
- [ ] Text can be resized to 200% without breaking

### Operable
- [ ] All functions work with keyboard only
- [ ] No keyboard traps
- [ ] Skip links to main content
- [ ] Page titles describe content
- [ ] Focus visible on all interactive elements

### Understandable
- [ ] Language is declared in HTML
- [ ] Navigation is consistent
- [ ] Error messages are clear
- [ ] Labels describe form fields

### Robust
- [ ] Valid HTML
- [ ] ARIA used correctly (or not at all)
- [ ] Works with screen readers
- [ ] Doesn't break with zoom/text resize

Image accessibility

Alt text for journalism

## Alt text decision tree

### News photos
- **WHO** is in the image (if identifiable and relevant)
- **WHAT** is happening (the action or situation)
- **WHERE** (if location matters to story)
- **Don't**: Repeat caption text verbatim

### Examples

PHOTO: Protesters holding signs outside courthouse

BAD: "Protesters"
BAD: "Image of protest" (redundant "image of")
GOOD: "Approximately 50 protesters hold signs reading 'Justice Now' outside the federal courthouse in downtown Seattle"

PHOTO: Headshot of interview subject

BAD: "Photo"
GOOD: "Dr. Sarah Chen, epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins"

PHOTO: Chart embedded as image

BAD: "Chart showing data"
GOOD: "Bar chart showing unemployment rising from 3.5% to 8.2% between March and June 2020. Full data in table below."

Alt text Python helper

def generate_alt_text_prompt(context: dict) -> str:
    """Generate prompt for AI alt text assistance."""
    return f"""
    Write alt text for a news image.

    Story context: {context.get('headline', 'Unknown')}
    Image type: {context.get('image_type', 'photo')}
    Caption (if any): {context.get('caption', 'None')}

    Guidelines:
    - Be concise (under 125 characters if possible)
    - Don't start with "Image of" or "Photo of"
    - Include relevant details for story context
    - Don't duplicate caption exactly
    - Describe what's visually important

    If this is decorative only, respond: ""
    """

def is_decorative(image_context: str) -> bool:
    """Check if image is purely decorative (empty alt appropriate)."""
    decorative_indicators = [
        'decorative',
        'separator',
        'background',
        'spacer',
        'border'
    ]
    return any(ind in image_context.lower() for ind in decorative_indicators)

Accessible data visualization

Chart accessibility checklist

## Making charts accessible

### Essential elements
- [ ] Text alternative describing the key insight
- [ ] Data table available (visible or linked)
- [ ] Colors have sufficient contrast
- [ ] Patterns/textures supplement color coding
- [ ] Labels directly on chart (not legend-only)
- [ ] Title describes what chart shows

### Interactive charts
- [ ] Keyboard navigable
- [ ] Focus indicators visible
- [ ] Screen reader announces data points
- [ ] Tooltips accessible via keyboard
- [ ] Zooming doesn't break layout

Accessible chart component

<!-- Accessible chart pattern -->
<figure role="figure" aria-labelledby="chart-title" aria-describedby="chart-desc">
  <figcaption>
    <h3 id="chart-title">Unemployment Rate 2020-2024</h3>
    <p id="chart-desc">
      Line chart showing unemployment starting at 3.5% in January 2020,
      spiking to 14.7% in April 2020, and gradually declining to 3.9% by 2024.
    </p>
  </figcaption>

  <!-- The chart itself -->
  <div id="chart" role="img" aria-label="Interactive line chart. Data table available below.">
    <!-- Chart renders here -->
  </div>

  <!-- Always provide data table -->
  <details>
    <summary>View data table</summary>
    <table>
      <caption>Monthly unemployment rate data</caption>
      <thead>
        <tr>
          <th scope="col">Month</th>
          <th scope="col">Unemployment Rate (%)</th>
        </tr>
      </thead>
      <tbody>
        <tr><td>Jan 2020</td><td>3.5</td></tr>
        <tr><td>Apr 2020</td><td>14.7</td></tr>
        <!-- etc -->
      </tbody>
    </table>
  </details>
</figure>

Color-blind safe palettes

# Safe color palettes for data visualization
COLOR_PALETTES = {
    # Paul Tol's color schemes - widely tested for accessibility
    'bright': [
        '#4477AA',  # Blue
        '#EE6677',  # Red
        '#228833',  # Green
        '#CCBB44',  # Yellow
        '#66CCEE',  # Cyan
        '#AA3377',  # Purple
        '#BBBBBB',  # Grey
    ],

    # Categorical (safe for most color blindness)
    'categorical': [
        '#332288',  # Indigo
        '#88CCEE',  # Cyan
        '#44AA99',  # Teal
        '#117733',  # Green
        '#999933',  # Olive
        '#DDCC77',  # Sand
        '#CC6677',  # Rose
        '#882255',  # Wine
    ],

    # Sequential (single hue)
    'sequential_blue': [
        '#f7fbff',
        '#deebf7',
        '#c6dbef',
        '#9ecae1',
        '#6baed6',
        '#4292c6',
        '#2171b5',
        '#084594',
    ],

    # Diverging (for data with meaningful midpoint)
    'diverging': [
        '#d73027',  # Red (negative)
        '#f46d43',
        '#fdae61',
        '#fee08b',
        '#ffffbf',  # Neutral
        '#d9ef8b',
        '#a6d96a',
        '#66bd63',
        '#1a9850',  # Green (positive)
    ]
}

def validate_contrast(color1: str, color2: str) -> float:
    """Calculate WCAG contrast ratio between two colors."""
    def hex_to_rgb(hex_color):
        hex_color = hex_color.lstrip('#')
        return tuple(int(hex_color[i:i+2], 16) for i in (0, 2, 4))

    def relative_luminance(rgb):
        r, g, b = [x / 255.0 for x in rgb]
        r = r / 12.92 if r <= 0.03928 else ((r + 0.055) / 1.055) ** 2.4
        g = g / 12.92 if g <= 0.03928 else ((g + 0.055) / 1.055) ** 2.4
        b = b / 12.92 if b <= 0.03928 else ((b + 0.055) / 1.055) ** 2.4
        return 0.2126 * r + 0.7152 * g + 0.0722 * b

    l1 = relative_luminance(hex_to_rgb(color1))
    l2 = relative_luminance(hex_to_rgb(color2))

    lighter = max(l1, l2)
    darker = min(l1, l2)

    return (lighter + 0.05) / (darker + 0.05)

# WCAG requirements:
# Normal text: 4.5:1 minimum (AA), 7:1 enhanced (AAA)
# Large text (18pt+): 3:1 minimum (AA), 4.5:1 enhanced (AAA)
# UI components: 3:1 minimum

Video and audio accessibility

Caption requirements

## Video caption checklist

### Quality standards
- [ ] 99%+ accuracy
- [ ] Synchronized with audio (within 1 second)
- [ ] Speaker identification for multiple speakers
- [ ] Sound effects described [applause] [music]
- [ ] Non-speech audio described when relevant

### Technical requirements
- [ ] Captions available in player controls
- [ ] Can be toggled on/off
- [ ] Styling doesn't overlap video content
- [ ] Readable font size and contrast

### Caption format (SRT example)
1
00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:04,500
[NEWS ANCHOR] Good evening. Breaking news tonight
from downtown where protesters have gathered.

2
00:00:04,600 --> 00:00:08,200
We're going live to reporter Jane Smith
at the scene. Jane?

Audio description for video

## When audio description is needed

### Required
- [ ] Key visual information not in dialogue
- [ ] Actions crucial to understanding story
- [ ] Text on screen not read aloud
- [ ] Identifying information for speakers

### Example script

ORIGINAL VIDEO: [Reporter stands in front of burning building]
DIALOGUE: "The fire started around 3am..."

AUDIO DESCRIPTION VERSION:
[A reporter in a red jacket stands before a five-story
apartment building engulfed in flames. Fire trucks
visible in background]
DIALOGUE: "The fire started around 3am..."

Keyboard accessibility

Focus management patterns

// Skip link implementation
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => {
  const skipLink = document.querySelector('.skip-link');
  const mainContent = document.querySelector('main');

  skipLink.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
    e.preventDefault();
    mainContent.setAttribute('tabindex', '-1');
    mainContent.focus();
  });
});

// Keyboard trap prevention in modals
function createAccessibleModal(modalElement) {
  const focusableElements = modalElement.querySelectorAll(
    'button, [href], input, select, textarea, [tabindex]:not([tabindex="-1"])'
  );
  const firstFocusable = focusableElements[0];
  const lastFocusable = focusableElements[focusableElements.length - 1];

  modalElement.addEventListener('keydown', (e) => {
    if (e.key === 'Tab') {
      if (e.shiftKey && document.activeElement === firstFocusable) {
        e.preventDefault();
        lastFocusable.focus();
      } else if (!e.shiftKey && document.activeElement === lastFocusable) {
        e.preventDefault();
        firstFocusable.focus();
      }
    }

    if (e.key === 'Escape') {
      closeModal();
    }
  });
}

// Focus indicator styles (never remove outlines without replacement)
/*
:focus {
  outline: 2px solid #005fcc;
  outline-offset: 2px;
}

:focus:not(:focus-visible) {
  outline: none;  // Remove for mouse users
}

:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid #005fcc;  // Keep for keyboard users
  outline-offset: 2px;
}
*/

Forms and error handling

Accessible form patterns

<!-- Accessible form field -->
<div class="form-group">
  <label for="email">
    Email address
    <span class="required" aria-hidden="true">*</span>
    <span class="visually-hidden">(required)</span>
  </label>
  <input
    type="email"
    id="email"
    name="email"
    required
    aria-describedby="email-hint email-error"
    aria-invalid="false"
  >
  <p id="email-hint" class="hint">
    We'll use this to send you the newsletter.
  </p>
  <p id="email-error" class="error" role="alert" hidden>
    Please enter a valid email address.
  </p>
</div>

<style>
  /* Visually hidden but accessible to screen readers */
  .visually-hidden {
    position: absolute;
    width: 1px;
    height: 1px;
    padding: 0;
    margin: -1px;
    overflow: hidden;
    clip: rect(0, 0, 0, 0);
    white-space: nowrap;
    border: 0;
  }
</style>

Error message patterns

function showError(inputElement, message) {
  const errorElement = document.getElementById(
    inputElement.getAttribute('aria-describedby').split(' ').find(id =>
      id.includes('error')
    )
  );

  inputElement.setAttribute('aria-invalid', 'true');
  errorElement.textContent = message;
  errorElement.hidden = false;

  // Announce error to screen readers
  errorElement.setAttribute('role', 'alert');
}

function clearError(inputElement) {
  const errorId = inputElement.getAttribute('aria-describedby')
    .split(' ')
    .find(id => id.includes('error'));
  const errorElement = document.getElementById(errorId);

  inputElement.setAttribute('aria-invalid', 'false');
  errorElement.hidden = true;
  errorElement.removeAttribute('role');
}

Testing tools

Automated testing

# Accessibility audit with axe-core (via Playwright)
from playwright.sync_api import sync_playwright

def run_accessibility_audit(url: str) -> dict:
    """Run automated accessibility tests."""
    with sync_playwright() as p:
        browser = p.chromium.launch()
        page = browser.new_page()
        page.goto(url)

        # Inject axe-core
        page.add_script_tag(
            url='https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/axe-core/4.7.2/axe.min.js'
        )

        # Run audit
        results = page.evaluate('''
            async () => {
                return await axe.run();
            }
        ''')

        browser.close()

        return {
            'violations': results['violations'],
            'passes': len(results['passes']),
            'incomplete': results['incomplete'],
            'url': url
        }

def format_violations(results: dict) -> str:
    """Format violations for review."""
    output = []
    for v in results['violations']:
        output.append(f"\n## {v['id']}: {v['description']}")
        output.append(f"Impact: {v['impact']}")
        output.append(f"WCAG: {', '.join(v.get('tags', []))}")
        for node in v['nodes'][:3]:  # First 3 examples
            output.append(f"  - {node['html'][:100]}")
    return '\n'.join(output)

Manual testing checklist

## Manual accessibility tests

### Keyboard navigation
- [ ] Tab through entire page
- [ ] Can reach all interactive elements
- [ ] Focus order makes sense
- [ ] No keyboard traps
- [ ] Skip link works

### Screen reader testing
- [ ] Headings announce in logical order
- [ ] Images have meaningful descriptions
- [ ] Form labels announce correctly
- [ ] Error messages announced
- [ ] Dynamic content updates announced

### Zoom testing
- [ ] 200% zoom, no horizontal scrolling
- [ ] 400% zoom, content still usable
- [ ] Text spacing adjustments don't break layout

### Color and contrast
- [ ] Works in grayscale
- [ ] Links distinguishable from text
- [ ] Error states not color-only
- [ ] Contrast checker passes (4.5:1 minimum)

Legal requirements

## Accessibility law summary

### United States
- **Section 508**: Federal agencies must be accessible
- **ADA**: Increasingly applied to websites
- **State laws**: Many states have additional requirements

### European Union
- **European Accessibility Act**: From 2025
- **EN 301 549**: Technical standard

### Best practice
WCAG 2.1 AA is the global standard. Meet this and you'll
likely satisfy most legal requirements.

Related skills

• zero-build-frontend - Build accessible static sites
• data-journalism - Create accessible visualizations
• web-scraping - Ensure scraped content preserves accessibility

Skill metadata