Content Provider's Introduction and Index

Content is king; it is what makes your site special and attractive to users. You should always write clear and consistent content to ensure that all users can benefit from it, regardless of any impairment. Users read and interact with digital content in a very different way to printed material. You must present digital content in a way that allows users to rapidly absorb and understand the information you are communicating. In essence: Write clear and concise content, and prioritise the most important information; Ensure your content is well structured, as consistent as possible, and supports users in scanning for key information; Ensure image use is appropriate and relevant, and provide equivalent descriptions of all images for those who will not be able to see them; Present data, including tables and charts, as clearly and simply as possible; Content should be specifically written or modified, and prepared for digital consumption – you should not simply reuse documents prepared for print.

If you use a content management system, or you submit content in a particular template or format, read all the available documentation, and try the accessibility guidance out. Whatever method you are asked to use to supply content, it should support you to deliver all of the accessibility guidance contained here, without the need for technical knowledge. If it cannot, this issue will need to be addressed. Refer those responsible for implementing your site to the guidance contained here.

This guidance currently aligns with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 and is being updated to reflect WCAG 2.2.

Organisations subject to the Web Accessibility Directive or the European Accessibility Act should refer to WCAG 2.2 (W3C.org), as compliance will be required when the revised EN 301 549 standard (PDF) is published in the Official Journal of the European Union in December 2026.

The following pages include techniques that are designed to help you create accessible user experiences. They are grouped according to related practices and can be referred to as necessary. While these techniques are tried and tested, keep in mind that they may not be the only way to address a particular user need.

References for this section

WCAG 2.1

1.1.1 Non-text Content (A)
1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Pre-recorded) (A)
1.2.2 Captions (Pre-recorded) (A)
1.2.3 Audio Descriptions or Media Alternative (Pre-recorded) (A)
1.2.4 Captions (Live) (A)
1.2.5 Audio Description (Pre-recorded) (AA)
1.2.6 Sign Language (Pre-recorded) (AAA)
1.3.1 Info and Relationships (A)
1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics (A)
1.4.1 Use of Colour (A)
1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) (AA)
1.4.5 Images of Text (AA)
2.4.2 Page Titled (A)
2.4.3 Focus Order (A)
2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) (A)
2.4.6 Headings and Labels (AA)
2.4.9 Link Purpose (Link Only) (AAA)
3.1.1 Language of Page (A)
3.1.2 Language of Parts (AA)
3.1.4 Abbreviations (AAA)
3.1.5 Reading Level (AAA)
3.2.3 Consistent Navigation (AA)
3.2.4 Consistent Identification (AA)
3.3.1 Error Identification (A)
3.3.2 Labels or Instructions (A)
3.3.3 Error Suggestion (AA)

EN 301 549 v 2.1.2

9.1.1.1 Non-text Content
9.1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Pre-recorded)
9.1.2.2 Captions (Pre-recorded)
9.1.2.3 Audio Descriptions or Media Alternative (Pre-recorded)
9.1.2.4 Captions (Live)
9.1.2.5 Audio Description (Pre-recorded)
9.1.3.1 Info and Relationships
9.1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics
9.1.4.1 Use of Colour
9.1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)
9.1.4.5 Images of Text
2.4.2 Page Titled
2.4.3 Focus Order
9.2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context)
9.2.4.6 Headings and Labels
3.1.1 Language of Page
3.1.2 Language of Parts
9.3.2.3 Consistent Navigation
9.3.2.4 Consistent Identification
9.3.3.1 Error Identification
9.3.3.2 Labels or Instructions
9.3.3.3 Error Suggestion

Content Provider's Introduction and Index

References for this section

WCAG 2.1

EN 301 549 v 2.1.2

Further reading