Accessibility

· 13 checks — Landmarks, headings, alt text, forms, and link quality rolled into one auditable list.

SCORE

GRADE

FIX

REVIEW

PASS

INFO

Checks

8 PASS 3 REVIEW 2 FIX

Dark Mode Support

Action

Theme color only

FIX

Theme color only

Theme-color present but no dark variant

A theme-color is set but no dark-specific variant was found. The browser toolbar may not adapt for dark mode users.

Got: #000000

No dark mode signals detected

Consider adding CSS with @media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) and <meta name='color-scheme' content='light dark'>.

Detection limited to meta tags and inline styles

External CSS files may contain prefers-color-scheme rules not visible to this scan.

Dark ModePartial Dark Mode

color-scheme meta Not set ✗Dark theme-color Not set ✗CSS indicators Not detected ✗

Detection limited to meta tags and inline styles.

Navigation UX

Action

2 navigation pattern(s)

FIX

2 navigation pattern(s)

Search functionality detected

Got: role-search

Skip navigation link detected

8 navigation landmark(s) detected

Breadcrumbs

Search role='search' landmark

Skip Link Skip link detected

Labeled Navigation 8 <nav> element(s)

Hamburger Menu

Sticky Navigation Cannot reliably detect (CSS-based)

3 of 6 testable patterns navigation patterns detected. Strong navigation UX with multiple discovery paths.

Favicon & Branding

Action

16 icon(s) detected

REVIEW

16 icon(s) detected

No favicon.ico at site root

Some older browsers, bookmark tools, and RSS readers look for /favicon.ico. Add one as a fallback.

HTML icon links detected

Apple touch icon present

Multiple icon sizes detected

✗ favicon.ico Missing

✓ PNG Icons Present

✓ Apple Touch Present

✗ SVG Favicon Missing

✓ Manifest Icons Present

✓ Multiple Sizes Present

Web Manifest

Action

Valid manifest

REVIEW

Valid manifest

No name or short_name

Add a name field to identify the app.

192x192 icon present

512x512 icon present

Display mode: standalone

PWA Install Criteria Not Installable

Name ✗192×192 icon ✓512×512 icon ✓Start URL ✗Display Mode standalone ✓

Display Mode standalone Theme Color #000000 Background Color #000000 Icons 2 icon(s)

Color Contrast (Screenshot)

Action

20 text elements analyzed, 7 fail WCAG AA

REVIEW

Analyzes text contrast against the actual rendered page, including background images, gradients, and overlays that CSS-based tools cannot detect.

13 pass 7 fail WCAG AA 3 pass AA only

title The University of Iowa

1.00:1

#000000

needs 4.5:1 (normal text)

16px · top of page (header area)

a Skip to main content

1.00:1

#000000

needs 4.5:1 (normal text)

16px · top of page (header area)

a Request Info

1.67:1

#000000

#35332F

needs 4.5:1 (normal text)

16px · above the fold

label Search

1.79:1

#000000

#3D3824

needs 4.5:1 (normal text)

16px · above the fold

span Submit Search

1.81:1

#000000

#403824

needs 4.5:1 (normal text)

16px · above the fold

a Directory

1.24:1

#000000

#1D1C1C

needs 4.5:1 (normal text)

16px · above the fold

span Menu

1.45:1

#000000

#2B2A16

needs 4.5:1 (normal text)

16px · mid-page

Show all checked elements (20)

Element	Ratio	Required	FG	BG	Result
h2 Top links	13.98:1	3.0:1	#000000	#FFCD00	Pass
h2 Search links	5.44:1	3.0:1	#000000	#86817B	Pass
h2 Site Main Navigation	7.06:1	3.0:1	#000000	#9F9487	Pass
h2 Hear from Hawkeyes	13.98:1	3.0:1	#000000	#FFCD00	Pass
h2 Social Media	13.98:1	3.0:1	#000000	#FFCD00	Pass
h2 Footer primary	13.98:1	3.0:1	#000000	#FFCD00	Pass
h2 Footer secondary	13.98:1	3.0:1	#000000	#FFCD00	Pass
h2 Footer tertiary	13.98:1	3.0:1	#000000	#FFCD00	Pass
title The University of Io…	1.00:1	4.5:1	#000000	#000000	Fail
a Skip to main content	1.00:1	4.5:1	#000000	#000000	Fail
span The University of Io…	5.19:1	4.5:1	#000000	#997B00	Pass
a Apply	18.59:1	4.5:1	#000000	#F1F1F1	Pass
a Visit	11.72:1	4.5:1	#000000	#BEC2C6	Pass
a Request Info	1.67:1	4.5:1	#000000	#35332F	Fail
label Search	1.79:1	4.5:1	#000000	#3D3824	Fail
span Submit Search	1.81:1	4.5:1	#000000	#403824	Fail
a A-Z List	4.95:1	4.5:1	#000000	#85796D	Pass
a Directory	1.24:1	4.5:1	#000000	#1D1C1C	Fail
span Search	5.56:1	4.5:1	#000000	#8F8175	Pass
span Menu	1.45:1	4.5:1	#000000	#2B2A16	Fail

Methodology: The top 20 text elements by font size were checked. Background color was sampled from the desktop screenshot using a 5-point pattern. WCAG 2.1 AA requires 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.

A+

Landmark Structure

21 landmarks

PASS

21 landmarks

<main> landmark present

8 <nav> landmark(s) found

All <nav> elements are properly labeled

Skip navigation link present

Search landmark present

Page Structure — as a screen reader sees it

Heading Hierarchy

24 headings

PASS

24 headings

Multiple H1 headings (2 found)

A page should have only one H1. Multiple H1s dilute the document outline.

H1 The University of Iowa
H2 Top links
H2 Search links
H2 Site Main Navigation
H1 Home duplicate H1
H2 Start your story here
H2 Be a Hawkeye
H2 Hear from Hawkeyes
H2 News and features
H3 Every story matters at Dance Marathon
H3 Writing across disciplines: Among elite company
H3 Groundbreaking research at Iowa helps defy expectations
H2 Events
H2 Alumni Day 2026
H2 Live from Prairie Lights
H2 # 49
H2 15:1
H2 96 %
H2 Welcome Home
H2 See Iowa City for yourself
H2 Social Media
H2 Footer primary
H2 Footer secondary
H2 Footer tertiary

A page should have only one H1. Multiple H1s dilute the document outline.

Why this matters

Multiple H1s blur the page's primary topic — screen-reader users and Google both prefer one H1.

Learn more ▾

HTML5's outline algorithm technically allows multiple H1s within sectioning content, but no browser implements it. In practice: one H1 per page. Use H2-H6 for subsections.

Source: WCAG 2.4.6 / Google Search Central

A+

Alt Text Quality

All 10 images OK

PASS

All 10 images OK

2 decorative image(s) correctly marked

8 image(s) with good alt text

10 images 8 good alt text 2 decorative

All images have appropriate alt text.

A+

Form Accessibility

All 1 controls labeled

PASS

All 1 controls labeled

1 control(s) properly labeled

1 controls

1 labeled

0 placeholder only

0 unlabeled

Control	Type	Label	Method
#edit-search-terms	text	Search	for/id

Link & Button Quality

1 issue(s) across 107 links and 3 buttons

PASS

1 issue(s) across 107 links and 3 buttons

1 link(s) with no accessible text

Links without text are announced as raw URLs by screen readers.

Got: a#main-content

106 link(s) with descriptive text

107 links

1 empty

0 generic text

0 new tab

0 empty buttons

Element	Text	Issue	Suggested Fix
	(empty)	empty	Add link text or aria-label

109 links and buttons have descriptive text

Links without text are announced as raw URLs by screen readers.

a#main-content

Why this matters

Links with no accessible text (empty <a></a>, image-only no alt, icon-only no aria-label) are unidentifiable to screen readers.

Source: WCAG 2.1 SC 2.4.4

404 Error Page

HTTP 404, custom page

PASS

HTTP 404, custom page

Correct 404 status code returned

Got: HTTP 404

Custom styled 404 page

Navigation links present on 404 page

Homepage link present on 404 page

Search form present on 404 page

404 Page Quality ✓ Custom 404 Page

Status Code HTTP 404 ✓Page Title Page not found | The University of Iowa - The University of Iowa ✓Custom Styling ✓Navigation ✓Homepage Link ✓Search Form ✓

A+

Print Stylesheet

Print styles detected

PASS

Print styles detected

External print stylesheet detected

Got: /sites/uiowa.edu/files/css/css_dqrhXHbNKIVpXQlMzqUNHEKhaiXRrnQS6my3DnW9L34.css?delta=4&language=en&theme=uids_base&include=eJxlUu2OhCAMfCE8H8lUGLEJUEPrXtynP3bdy6H3g9D5aJop-ESqx5ihShHq_ImLBDgvFa2qmRI_4TIC07hwMtQvT5uxFFehmxTlByajOWE69fGPH968031DXVjXkQub00MNeZxJ4XYOOr2qBktB7QhPNfTQqEPIM8IdB4QBxdiOTllkr15Sx8QkM6VB7UhcYiesHNfUjvWcVH5KsdaQUfZOSRKlg5m43C3vtd3xYMeGgXPb-UWKdG9_vcTp3q5mKbhGUlD162ASY-qNatSHsbXi1vlANfYt3YMDXnnkm_5vqJETpWbV8bw-3Dn3d_zS_ssPdonmSw

Print Stylesheet ✓ Print Optimized

Print stylesheet /sites/uiowa.edu/files/css/css_dqrhXHbNKIVpXQlMzqUNHEKhaiXRrnQS6my3DnW9L34.css?delta=4&language=en&theme=uids_base&include=eJxlUu2OhCAMfCE8H8lUGLEJUEPrXtynP3bdy6H3g9D5aJop-ESqx5ihShHq_ImLBDgvFa2qmRI_4TIC07hwMtQvT5uxFFehmxTlByajOWE69fGPH968031DXVjXkQub00MNeZxJ4XYOOr2qBktB7QhPNfTQqEPIM8IdB4QBxdiOTllkr15Sx8QkM6VB7UhcYiesHNfUjvWcVH5KsdaQUfZOSRKlg5m43C3vtd3xYMeGgXPb-UWKdG9_vcTp3q5mKbhGUlD162ASY-qNatSHsbXi1vlANfYt3YMDXnnkm_5vqJETpWbV8bw-3Dn3d_zS_ssPdonmSw ✓Inline @media print Not detected ✗

A+

Lighthouse Accessibility Audits

Score 100/100 — 0 failing, 25 passed

PASS

100

Accessibility

These checks highlight opportunities to improve the accessibility of your web app. Automatic detection can only detect a subset of issues and does not guarantee the accessibility of your web app, so manual testing is also encouraged.

○Interactive controls are keyboard focusable

○Interactive elements indicate their purpose and state

○The page has a logical tab order

○Visual order on the page follows DOM order

○User focus is not accidentally trapped in a region

○The user's focus is directed to new content added to the page

○HTML5 landmark elements are used to improve navigation

○Offscreen content is hidden from assistive technology

○Custom controls have associated labels

○Custom controls have ARIA roles

●`[aria-*]` attributes match their roles

●`[aria-hidden="true"]` is not present on the document `<body>`

●`[role]`s have all required `[aria-*]` attributes

●`[role]` values are valid

●`[aria-*]` attributes have valid values

●`[aria-*]` attributes are valid and not misspelled

●Buttons have an accessible name

●Image elements have `[alt]` attributes

●`[user-scalable="no"]` is not used in the `<meta name="viewport">` element and the `[maximum-scale]` attribute is not less than 5.

●ARIA attributes are used as specified for the element's role

●`[aria-hidden="true"]` elements do not contain focusable descendents

●Elements use only permitted ARIA attributes

●Background and foreground colors have a sufficient contrast ratio

●Document has a `<title>` element

●`<html>` element has a `[lang]` attribute

●`<html>` element has a valid value for its `[lang]` attribute

●Links have a discernible name

●Lists contain only `<li>` elements and script supporting elements (`<script>` and `<template>`).

●List items (`<li>`) are contained within `<ul>`, `<ol>` or `<menu>` parent elements

●No element has a `[tabindex]` value greater than 0

●Touch targets have sufficient size and spacing.

●Heading elements appear in a sequentially-descending order

●Document has a main landmark.

●Deprecated ARIA roles were not used

●`<video>` elements contain a `<track>` element with `[kind="captions"]`

○`[accesskey]` values are unique

○`button`, `link`, and `menuitem` elements have accessible names

○Elements with `role="dialog"` or `role="alertdialog"` have accessible names.

○ARIA input fields have accessible names

○ARIA `meter` elements have accessible names

○ARIA `progressbar` elements have accessible names

○Elements with an ARIA `[role]` that require children to contain a specific `[role]` have all required children.

○`[role]`s are contained by their required parent element

○Elements with the `role=text` attribute do not have focusable descendents.

○ARIA toggle fields have accessible names

○ARIA `tooltip` elements have accessible names

○ARIA `treeitem` elements have accessible names

○The page contains a heading, skip link, or landmark region

○`<dl>`'s contain only properly-ordered `<dt>` and `<dd>` groups, `<script>`, `<template>` or `<div>` elements.

○Definition list items are wrapped in `<dl>` elements

○ARIA IDs are unique

○No form fields have multiple labels

○`<frame>` or `<iframe>` elements have a title

○`<html>` element has an `[xml:lang]` attribute with the same base language as the `[lang]` attribute.

○Input buttons have discernible text.

○`<input type="image">` elements have `[alt]` text

○Form elements have associated labels

○Links are distinguishable without relying on color.

○The document does not use `<meta http-equiv="refresh">`

○`<object>` elements have alternate text

○Select elements have associated label elements.

○Skip links are focusable.

○Cells in a `<table>` element that use the `[headers]` attribute refer to table cells within the same table.

○`<th>` elements and elements with `[role="columnheader"/"rowheader"]` have data cells they describe.

○`[lang]` attributes have a valid value

○Tables have different content in the summary attribute and `<caption>`.

○All heading elements contain content.

○Uses ARIA roles only on compatible elements

○Image elements do not have `[alt]` attributes that are redundant text.

○Identical links have the same purpose.

○Elements with visible text labels have matching accessible names.

○Tables use `<caption>` instead of cells with the `[colspan]` attribute to indicate a caption.

○`<td>` elements in a large `<table>` have one or more table headers.

All checks on this page are automated. Results are estimates - run targeted manual reviews when the score affects a release decision.