14. The One-Page Master Checklist

Keep this page beside you whenever you publish or prepare a document. If you can tick every applicable box, your content meets the everyday essentials of WCAG 2.1 / 2.2 Level AA.

Text

  • Plain language, short sentences, real heading styles in order.
  • Descriptive links (no bare “click here”).
  • Text contrast ≥ 4.5:1 (≥ 3:1 for large text).
  • Meaning never shown by color alone.

Images

  • Alt text on every informative image; decorative images marked.
  • Important in-image text repeated in the caption.

Audio

  • A transcript is provided and published with the audio.

Video

  • Accurate captions (auto-captions reviewed).
  • Key visuals described; nothing flashes 3+ times/second.

Social media

  • CamelCase hashtags; minimal emoji at the end; no fancy fonts.

Documents & PDFs

  • Real headings, alt text, tagged PDF, accessibility checker passes.

Forms

  • Labelled fields; “(required)” in words; errors explained in text.

Events & webinars

  • Live captions on; access needs asked for; captioned recording shared.

Presentations

  • Slide layouts with unique titles; alt text; high contrast; correct reading order.

Emails

  • Clear subject; no key info trapped in images; descriptive links; single column.

Workplace

  • Accessible templates; access needs asked; internal systems work by keyboard/screen reader.