1.3 Adaptable · Perceivable
WCAG 1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics
Level A
Don't use shape, colour, size, position, or sound alone to convey instructions — combine sensory cues with text so users who can't perceive one can still follow the other.
Common failures
- Form errors say "the red field is required" with no other indicator.
- Instructions reference "the round button on the right" with no label.
How to fix
- Pair colour cues with icons and text labels.
- Reference UI elements by their accessible name, not their position.
Related criteria
- WCAG 1.4.1 Use of Color Level A
- WCAG 3.3.1 Error Identification Level A