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How to Fix Errors in WAVE

Quick Reference

These tips are meant to help web developers get a quick start. They address the most important considerations for web page accessibility.

Make sure images have appropriate and informative descriptions (alt tag).
Provide a transcript for all video and audio content.
Document should have only one H1.
Don’t skip downward heading levels.
H1 should always be followed by H2 and H2 by H3 within a section.
Avoid using "click here" or "email me."

Use bold or italic text to display emphasis.
Don’t underline words since this indicates hyperlinks.
Avoid using colored text for emphasis
Avoid writing whole sentences in CAPITAL letters.
Include meaningful alternative text (120-140 characters)
Limit the size and number of graphics

Errors

Error	What it Means	Fix Needed	How to Fix
Empty Heading	A heading contains no content.	Yes.	Delete the empty heading.
Empty Link	A heading contains no content.	Yes.	Delete the empty link.
Contrast Error	There is not enough contrast between the foreground and background.	Yes.	WCAG 2.1 requires a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 for graphics and user interface components (such as form input borders).

Alerts

Error	What it Means	Fix Needed	How to Fix
Suspicious alternative text	Alternative text is likely insufficient or contains extraneous information.	Yes.	Edit the alt tag. All images must have alt tags (Titles). Every word on the image must be in the description. If there is too much text (approximately 120 characters), to put into the Title of the image, what section or under what heading the information from that image is located.
Skipped heading level	A heading level is skipped.	Yes.	Restructure your headings. Headings have to go from in order (H1, H2, H3, H4, H5). You can have multiples of the same heading level from 2-5. For example, you can make multiple H3s after you have an H2. Headings can also go from H5 to back up to an H2 but must then go back in order (H3, H4, H5). You cannot go from an H2 to an H4 or H5 and you cannot go from the top level title (H1) to a H3.
Redundant link	Adjacent links go to the same URL.	Maybe.	If possible, combine the redundant links into one link.

Error

What it Means

Fix Needed

How to Fix

Suspicious alternative text

Alternative text is likely insufficient or contains extraneous information.

Yes.

Edit the alt tag.
All images must have alt tags (Titles). Every word on the image must be in the description. If there is too much text (approximately 120 characters), to put into the Title of the image, what section or under what heading the information from that image is located.

Skipped heading level

A heading level is skipped.

Yes.

Restructure your headings.

Headings have to go from in order (H1, H2, H3, H4, H5). You can have multiples of the same heading level from 2-5. For example, you can make multiple H3s after you have an H2. Headings can also go from H5 to back up to an H2 but must then go back in order (H3, H4, H5). You cannot go from an H2 to an H4 or H5 and you cannot go from the top level title (H1) to a H3.

Redundant link

Adjacent links go to the same URL.

Maybe.

If possible, combine the redundant links into one link.