What this criterion requires
Components with the same functionality must be identified consistently across the site - same names, same icons.
Who it helps
Screen reader users and people with cognitive disabilities who learn the interface once.
Example: fails vs passes
The same export action labelled "Download", "Export" and "Save copy" on three screens.
One name per function, everywhere: "Export".
Consistent identification lets users learn the interface once.
How to meet and fix it
- One term per function: always "Search", not "Search" here and "Find" there
- Keep icon meanings stable site-wide
Common failures auditors find
- The same download action labelled three different ways on three pages
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 3.2.4: Consistent Identification - w3.org/WAI
- W3C, How to Meet 3.2.4 (quick reference) - w3.org/WAI/quickref
Last updated . Reviewed by the EqualWeb accessibility team.
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