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3.2.4 Consistent Identification (AA)

Understanding 3.2.4 Consistent Identification (AA)

When features with the same functionality are used in multiple places, they must be identified in a consistent way. This helps screen reader users correctly identify the type and purpose of the functionality.

Requirements / What to do?

• An icon has the same alternative text wherever it is used;
• Buttons for “Next”, “Previous”, and “Continue”, are labelled consistently wherever they are used;
• Form fields with the same purpose are consistently labelled wherever they are used.

Common mistakes

• An icon is used to denote a file download, but has a different alternate text whenever it is used;
• A search facility is provided on every page, but the text field and button have different labels on each page.

Useful resources

• TBC.