What this criterion requires
Where text requires reading ability beyond lower secondary education, a simpler version or supplementary content is available.
Who it helps
People with reading and cognitive disabilities.
Example: fails vs passes
A benefits-application flow written at university reading level, with no alternative.
A plain-language summary above each complex section.
AAA: supplement content that requires advanced reading ability.
How to meet and fix it
- Provide plain-language summaries of complex documents
Common failures auditors find
- Legal or technical pages with no accessible summary at AAA
Automated scanning catches a share of these instantly - run a free check - and a manual audit covers the judgement calls a tool cannot make.
Sources
- W3C, Understanding 3.1.5: Reading Level - w3.org/WAI
- W3C, How to Meet 3.1.5 (quick reference) - w3.org/WAI/quickref
Last updated . Reviewed by the EqualWeb accessibility team.
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