Understandable / 3.1 Readable
3.1.4Abbreviations
Level AAAFor abbreviations -- including acronyms and initialisms -- provide a way to find the expanded form or meaning, such as the abbr element, a glossary, or spelling it out on first use. This lets readers who can't guess the meaning look it up through assistive technology or a dictionary-like mechanism. Abbreviations that have become ordinary words (e.g. "laser") are exempt.
Note
A detailed commentary for this success criterion is not yet available. In the meantime, this page lists related patterns, techniques, and links to the normative sources.
Related Techniques
Specific implementation techniques for meeting this success criterion. This site doesn't include the full text, so follow the links to the original W3C documents.
Sufficient Techniques(6)
- G55: Linking to definitions(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- G62: Providing a glossary(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- G70: Providing a function to search an online dictionary(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- G97: Providing the first use of an abbreviation immediately before or after the expanded form(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- G102: Providing the expansion or explanation of an abbreviation(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- PDF8: Providing definitions for abbreviations via an E entry for a structure element(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
Normative References
- Success Criterion 3.1.4 Abbreviations — WCAG 2.2(opens in a new tab)The normative requirement text.
- Understanding Abbreviations — W3C(opens in a new tab)Official guidance on intent, examples, and techniques.