Understandable · Level AAA · Introduced in WCAG 2.0
WCAG 3.1.5: Reading Level
Published by whatisADA / Grow Wild Agency · Updated
What this criterion means
At Level AAA, material requiring reading ability above lower-secondary education needs supplemental content or a simpler version, after excluding proper names and titles from that assessment. Preserve the actual meaning when simplifying.
A practical example
A technical eligibility policy keeps its full wording and adds a plain-language explanation with examples and a step-by-step eligibility walkthrough. The simpler route communicates the same important conditions.
How to check it
- Review whether the main text requires advanced reading ability, using both editorial judgment and appropriate assessment.
- Locate supplemental material or a version within the criterion's reading-level target.
- Compare the alternatives for preserved conditions, instructions and consequences, including important exceptions.
What can be missed
A readability score alone cannot establish comprehension or equivalent meaning. Replacing long words while deleting essential qualifications is not a useful accessible alternative.
Record your test
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These are your observations, not automated results or a conformance certificate. A complete evaluation needs appropriate scope, supported technologies, all applicable criteria and relevant page states.
Primary sources and scope
This is independent implementation guidance with original examples. The linked standard contains the full definitions, exceptions and conformance requirements. A criterion or checklist alone does not establish legal applicability or whole-site conformance.