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https://bigthink.com

Accessibility

· 13 checks — Landmarks, headings, alt text, forms, and link quality rolled into one auditable list.
SCORE
66
GRADE
D
FIX
4
REVIEW
4
PASS
5
INFO
0
Checks
13
5 PASS 4 REVIEW 4 FIX
D
Web Manifest
Action
Not found
FIX
Not found
Info::
No web manifest found
No manifest at standard paths (/manifest.json, /site.webmanifest). A manifest is optional but enables PWA features like home screen installation and standalone display.

No web manifest found.

D
Dark Mode Support
Action
No dark mode signals
FIX
No dark mode signals
Info::
No dark mode signals detected
Consider adding CSS with @media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) and <meta name='color-scheme' content='light dark'>.
Info::
Detection limited to meta tags and inline styles
External CSS files may contain prefers-color-scheme rules not visible to this scan.
Dark ModeNo Dark Mode Detected
color-scheme meta Not set ✗Dark theme-color Not set ✗CSS indicators Not detected ✗

Detection limited to meta tags and inline styles.

D
Print Stylesheet
Action
No print styles
FIX
No print styles
Info::
No print-specific styles detected
When users print this page, they get the screen layout including navigation and non-essential elements. Add @media print rules to hide navigation and optimize layout for paper.
Print Stylesheet No Print Styles
Print stylesheet Not found ✗Inline @media print Not detected ✗
F
Navigation UX
Action
1 navigation pattern(s)
FIX
1 navigation pattern(s)
Info::
Search functionality detected
Got: role-search
Info::
4 navigation landmark(s) detected
Breadcrumbs
Search role='search' landmark
Skip Link
Labeled Navigation 4 <nav> element(s)
Back to Top
Hamburger Menu
Sticky Navigation Cannot reliably detect (CSS-based)
2 of 6 testable patterns navigation patterns detected. Limited navigation support. Consider adding breadcrumbs, search, and skip link.
B
Landmark Structure
8 landmarks
REVIEW
8 landmarks
Info::
<main> landmark present
Info::
4 <nav> landmark(s) found
Warning::
4 of 4 <nav> elements are unlabeled
Multiple navigations need aria-label to distinguish them for screen readers.
Info::
No banner (header) landmark
Warning::
Skip navigation link is missing (WCAG 2.4.1)
Add a skip link as the first focusable element so keyboard users can bypass repeated navigation.
Info::
Search landmark present
Page Structure — as a screen reader sees it
BANNER (missing!) NAV SEARCH MAIN CONTENTINFO footer

Multiple navigations need aria-label to distinguish them for screen readers.

Why this matters

Some <nav> elements lack aria-label — screen-reader users hear 'navigation' multiple times with no way to distinguish them.

Learn more ▾

When a page has multiple <nav> regions (primary, footer, breadcrumb), each needs aria-label or aria-labelledby. AT users navigate by landmark; identical 'navigation' announcements force them to enter each one to discover purpose.

Source: WAI-ARIA Authoring Practices

Add a skip link as the first focusable element so keyboard users can bypass repeated navigation.

Why this matters

Without a skip-nav link, keyboard users tab through every nav item before reaching content — every page, every visit.

Learn more ▾

WCAG 2.4.1 (Bypass Blocks) requires a mechanism to skip past repeated content. The standard implementation is a 'Skip to main content' link that's the first focusable element, visually hidden until focused. Three lines of HTML + four of CSS.

Source: WCAG 2.1 SC 2.4.1

B
Favicon & Branding
4 icon(s) detected
REVIEW
4 icon(s) detected
Info::
favicon.ico present at site root
Info::
HTML icon links detected
Info::
Apple touch icon present
Info::
Multiple icon sizes detected
✓ favicon.ico Present
✓ PNG Icons Present
✓ Apple Touch Present
✗ SVG Favicon Missing
✗ Manifest Icons Missing
✓ Multiple Sizes Present
C
Color Contrast (Screenshot)
Action
20 text elements analyzed, 8 fail WCAG AA
REVIEW

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

12 pass 8 fail WCAG AA 1 pass AA only
h1 Big Think
1.13:1
#000000
on
#121313
needs 3.0:1 (large text)
32px · top of page (header area) · over background image/gradient
title Big Think - Smarter, Faster
1.00:1
#000000
on
#000000
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · top of page (header area)
span Big Think Home
2.50:1
#000000
on
#4D4E4A
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · top of page (header area) · over background image/gradient
span Open search
2.28:1
#000000
on
#4C473F
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · top of page (header area)
span Open main menu
2.04:1
#000000
on
#4E3D33
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · above the fold
a Search
2.37:1
#000000
on
#56473E
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · above the fold · over background image/gradient
div Popular Searches
2.68:1
#000000
on
#55514F
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · above the fold · over background image/gradient
a Critical thinking
1.19:1
#000000
on
#1A1816
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · above the fold · over background image/gradient

5 contrast failures on background images/gradients

These failures are invisible to CSS-based accessibility tools like Lighthouse. The text may be fine on a solid background, but fails when rendered over an image or gradient.

Show all checked elements (20)
ElementRatioRequiredFGBGResult
h1 Big Think1.13:13.0:1
#000000
#121313
Fail
h2 Philosophy21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Science & Tech21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Mind & Behavior21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Business21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 History & Society21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 FIND US ON SUBSTACK21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h3 Big Think21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h3 Mini Philosophy21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h3 Starts with a Bang21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h3 Big Think Books21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h3 Big Think Business21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
title Big Think - Smarter,…1.00:14.5:1
#000000
#000000
Fail
span Big Think Home2.50:14.5:1
#000000
#4D4E4A
Fail
span Open search2.28:14.5:1
#000000
#4C473F
Fail
span Open main menu2.04:14.5:1
#000000
#4E3D33
Fail
a Search2.37:14.5:1
#000000
#56473E
Fail
label What are you curious…5.00:14.5:1
#000000
#7D7B7D
Pass
div Popular Searches2.68:14.5:1
#000000
#55514F
Fail
a Critical thinking1.19:14.5:1
#000000
#1A1816
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+
Heading Hierarchy
23 headings
PASS
23 headings
Info::
Single H1 present
  • H1 Big Think
  • H2 Philosophy
  • H2 Science & Tech
  • H2 Mind & Behavior
  • H2 Business
  • H2 History & Society
  • H2 Philosophy
  • H2 Science & Tech
  • H2 Mind & Behavior
  • H2 Business
  • H2 History & Society
  • H3 Over-optimizing your life is making you fragile, not better
  • H3 The arc of human history is toward cooperation, not division
  • H4 Featured Classes
  • H3 The surprising reason why Americans sound, well, American
  • H3 There is no you in your brain — your identity is a “society of the mind”
  • H3 The arc of human history is toward cooperation, not division
  • H2 FIND US ON SUBSTACK
  • H3 Big Think
  • H3 Mini Philosophy
  • H3 Starts with a Bang
  • H3 Big Think Books
  • H3 Big Think Business
A
Alt Text Quality
All 201 images OK
PASS
All 201 images OK
Info::
109 image(s) with alt text over 125 characters
Info::
9 decorative image(s) correctly marked
Info::
83 image(s) with good alt text
201 images 83 good alt text 9 decorative
IssueCount
too long109 image(s)
A+
Form Accessibility
All 2 controls labeled
PASS
All 2 controls labeled
Info::
2 control(s) properly labeled
2 controls
2 labeled
0 placeholder only
0 unlabeled
ControlTypeLabelMethod
#nav-component-site-searchsearchWhat are you curious about?for/id
#nav-component-site-searchsearchWhat are you curious about?for/id
A
404 Error Page
HTTP 404, custom page
PASS
HTTP 404, custom page
Info::
Correct 404 status code returned
Got: HTTP 404
Info::
Custom styled 404 page
Info::
Navigation links present on 404 page
Info::
Homepage link present on 404 page
Info::
Search form present on 404 page
404 Page Quality ✓ Custom 404 Page
Status Code HTTP 404 ✓Page Title Page not found - Big Think ✓Custom Styling ✓Navigation ✓Homepage Link ✓Search Form ✓
A+
Lighthouse Accessibility Audits
Score 95/100 — 2 failing, 26 passed
PASS
95

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.

Contrast

Low-contrast text is difficult or impossible for many users to read. Learn how to provide sufficient color contrast.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

Failing Elements
Science & Tech div > div > div.flex > button.bt-tab
Mind & Behavior div > div > div.flex > button.bt-tab

These are opportunities to improve the legibility of your content.

Navigation

Properly ordered headings that do not skip levels convey the semantic structure of the page, making it easier to navigate and understand when using assistive technologies. Learn more about heading order.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

Failing Elements
Over-optimizing your life is making you fragile, not better div.min-w-[0] > div.grid > div.tab:order-1 > h3.bt-title

These are opportunities to improve keyboard navigation in your application.

○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
●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
●`[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
●Document has a `<title>` element
●`<html>` element has a `[lang]` attribute
●`<html>` element has a valid value for its `[lang]` attribute
●Links are distinguishable without relying on color.
●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
●Touch targets have sufficient size and spacing.
●Document has a main landmark.
●Deprecated ARIA roles were not used
●ARIA IDs are unique
●Uses ARIA roles only on compatible elements
○`[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 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
○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
○The document does not use `<meta http-equiv="refresh">`
○`<object>` elements have alternate text
○Select elements have associated label elements.
○Skip links are focusable.
○No element has a `[tabindex]` value greater than 0
○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
○`<video>` elements contain a `<track>` element with `[kind="captions"]`
○Tables have different content in the summary attribute and `<caption>`.
○All heading elements contain content.
○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.

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