1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics (A)

The objective of this criterion is to ensure that descriptions (be they textual, such as introductory text for completing a form, or aural, such as audio narration during a video) of elements within a page, or objects that form part of a multimedia presentation, are referenced not only by shape, size, sound or location, but also in ways that do not depend on that sensory perception. This does not necessarily mean that descriptions of such sensory characteristics should not be used, but rather that if they are used, they must be complemented with additional information that does not rely on the user's ability to perceive these characteristics.

Two examples

1. A round button is provided to submit a form. It is labeled with the text Submit. The explanatory text preceding the form should not simply say "once completed, press the round button", but rather "once completed, press the round Submit button". The same applies to the audio narration if there is a video tutorial explaining to a user how to operate the form - the narrator should refer to the "round Submit button", rather than simply stating that a user should activate the "round button". This information includes both shape and textual information to help users locate the button.
2. Instructions for a web application might state, "To navigate to the desired on-line course, use the list of links on the right hand side of the window with the heading Class Listing." This description provides location as well as textual clues to help users find the correct list of links.

An easy way to check if instructions or descriptions rely on sensory characteristics is to remove those sensory descriptions, and to check if the result is still understandable. For instance, removing the reference to "red" from "press the red button" would result in "press the button", which would not be sufficiently clear unless the page in the website featured only a single button, while removing the same reference from "press the red cancel button" would still be understandable if turned into "press the cancel button", provided that the button in question also has a visible label denoting it as the "Cancel" button.

Note: instructions can include elements such as form legends and form labels.

Note: this success criterion is only concerned with instructions or descriptions (e.g. in text or narration) necessary to understand or operate content. Objects and elements (particularly user interface components) themselves of course need to be authored in a way that allows users to understand them without the need for any particular visual or aural perception. These aspects are covered separately in various related success criteria, such as 1.1.1 Non-text Content (level A), 1.3.1 Info and relationships (level A), 1.4.1 Use of color (level A), 2.4.4 Link purpose (in context) (level A), 2.4.6 Headings and labels (level AA), and 4.1.2 Name, role, value (level A).

Note: if none of the website/web application's instructions and descriptions use any wording relating to sensory characteristics (e.g. instructions simply state "use the submit button" without any reference to the shape, color, position etc. of the button), then this criterion is marked as a pass.