Don’t rely on color, shape, size or location

• Descriptive Instructions: Provide instructions for using controls and components based on their function or name, not just on their visual or sensory attributes.

• Non-Visual Guidance: Instructions should be understandable without relying on sensory characteristics such as color, shape, size, position, or sound.

• Good: A button labeled “Submit” and described in the text as “Click this button to submit your form.”

• Bad: Instructions that say “Click the red button on the right to submit,” relying on color and position rather than providing a descriptive label.

• Color Requirements: For specific color-related requirements, refer to Guideline 1.4 which addresses color contrast and use.

• Always use descriptive labels for controls and components that indicate their purpose or function.

• Avoid using visual characteristics alone to describe how to interact with content; ensure that the description is accessible to users with various disabilities.

• Include textual descriptions and labels in addition to any visual cues to provide a complete understanding of the controls.

1. Instruction Review: Check that all instructions for controls use descriptive labels and do not rely solely on visual or sensory characteristics.

2. Assistive Technology Check: Test with screen readers or other assistive technologies to ensure that the descriptions are clear and accessible.

3. User Feedback: Confirm with users who have visual impairments that they can understand and interact with the controls based on the provided descriptions.

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