WCAG 3.1.3 Unusual Words
AAA only: unusual words, idioms or jargon have a way to look up their definition, such as a glossary link or a definition on first use.
Table of contents
What WCAG 3.1.3 Requires
AAA only: unusual words, idioms or jargon have a way to look up their definition, such as a glossary link or a definition on first use.
How to Test It by Hand
Check whether unusual terminology links to a definition or glossary entry.
Common Failures
- Industry jargon is used with no glossary or explanation anywhere on the site.
Testing WCAG 3.1.3 With AccessBell
This criterion depends on meaning or context, so it needs a person to judge. AccessBell's report lists it for manual review rather than marking it pass or fail automatically, so it is not missed.
Run a free scan to spot issues on your own pages.
Related Criteria in Readable
- 3.1.1 Language of Page (Level A, WCAG 2.0)
- 3.1.2 Language of Parts (Level AA, WCAG 2.0)
- 3.1.4 Abbreviations (Level AAA, WCAG 2.0)
- 3.1.5 Reading Level (Level AAA, WCAG 2.0)
- 3.1.6 Pronunciation (Level AAA, WCAG 2.0)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does WCAG 3.1.3 require?
AAA only: unusual words, idioms or jargon have a way to look up their definition, such as a glossary link or a definition on first use.
Can AccessBell test WCAG 3.1.3 automatically?
Not fully. This criterion needs a person to judge, so AccessBell's report lists it for manual review rather than marking it pass or fail on its own.
What level is WCAG 3.1.3?
Level AAA, added in WCAG 2.0. Level AAA is the highest, most demanding conformance level in WCAG.
Sources
- W3C: Understanding 3.1.3 Unusual Words (opens in a new tab)
- W3C: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 (opens in a new tab)
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