WCAG (Level AAA) SC 3.1.5 Reading Level (w3.org)
Issue description
WCAG 3.1.5, “Reading Level” addresses the challenge of making web content understandable for people with cognitive disabilities or those with lower reading levels. It recognizes that complex language and sentence structures can create significant barriers to comprehension.
Many websites use complex language, long sentences, and technical jargon that can be difficult to understand for some users. This can be particularly challenging for people with:
- Cognitive disabilities: Users with cognitive disabilities may have difficulty processing complex language or understanding abstract concepts.
- Learning disabilities: Users with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, might struggle with decoding or comprehending lengthy sentences and complex vocabulary.
- Lower literacy levels: Users with lower literacy levels may find it challenging to understand content written at a high reading level.
WCAG requirements
This guideline recommends that the content should be written at a lower secondary education level. This means using:
- Plain language: Use clear and concise language, avoiding jargon or technical terms whenever possible.
- Short sentences: Break down long sentences into shorter, more manageable ones.
- Simple vocabulary: Use common words and avoid complex vocabulary.
- Visual aids: Use visual aids, such as images, diagrams, and videos, to support the text and make it easier to understand.
Benefits
- Improved comprehension: Content written at a lower reading level is easier to understand for a wider audience, including people with cognitive or learning disabilities.
- Increased engagement: Clear and concise language can make the content more engaging and enjoyable to read.
- Better accessibility: It makes the content more accessible to users with lower literacy levels.
Essentially, this guideline promotes clarity and accessibility by encouraging the use of plain language and simple sentence structures. This makes the content more understandable and accessible to a wider range of users, regardless of their reading abilities or cognitive skills.
Related requirements
The following WCAG source criteria are often related to this as well. They can provide additional insights into specific challenges you may be encountering.
- WCAG (Level A) SC 3.1.1 Language of Page
- WCAG (Level AA) SC 3.1.2 Language of Parts
- WCAG (Level AAA) SC 3.1.3 Unusual Words
- WCAG (Level AAA) SC 3.1.4 Abbreviations
- WCAG (Level AAA) SC 3.1.6 Pronunciation
Who this issue impacts
Follow the links for additional information on user impairments:
Suggestions for remediation
Remediating WCAG 3.1.5, “Reading Level” involves making your web content easier to understand for people with cognitive disabilities or lower reading levels. Here’s how:
Use plain language
- Clear and concise: Use clear and concise language, avoiding jargon, technical terms, and complex sentence structures whenever possible.
- Familiar words: Choose common words that are easy to understand.
- Active voice: Use the active voice instead of the passive voice.
- Define terms: If you must use technical terms or jargon, provide clear definitions or explanations.
Simplify sentence structure
- Short sentences: Break down long, complex sentences into shorter, more manageable ones.
- Bullet points and lists: Use bullet points or lists to present information in a clear and organized way.
- Headings and subheadings: Use headings and subheadings to break up long blocks of text and improve readability.
Support with visuals
- Images and diagrams: Use images, diagrams, and other visual aids to support the text and make it easier to understand.
- Videos: Use videos to explain complex concepts or provide step-by-step instructions.
- Infographics: Present information in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand format using infographics.
Consider user needs
- Cognitive disabilities: For users with cognitive disabilities, ensure that the language and sentence structure are particularly simple and straightforward.
- Learning disabilities: For users with learning disabilities, consider using larger font sizes, increased line spacing, and alternative font styles that are easier to read.
Testing
- Readability tests: Use readability tests (e.g., Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level) to assess the reading level of your content. Aim for a lower secondary education level.
- User testing: Conduct user testing with people with cognitive disabilities to get feedback on the clarity and understandability of your content.
Example
- Instead of this: “The aforementioned technical specifications necessitate the implementation of a multifaceted approach to ensure compliance with the regulatory framework.”
- Use this: “To meet these technical requirements, we need to use a few different methods to follow the rules.”
By implementing these techniques, you can make your web content more accessible and understandable to a wider audience, including those with cognitive disabilities or lower reading levels.
