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Accessibility

· 13 checks — Landmarks, headings, alt text, forms, and link quality rolled into one auditable list.
SCORE
67
GRADE
D
FIX
4
REVIEW
4
PASS
5
INFO
0
Checks
13
5 PASS 4 REVIEW 4 FIX
F
Favicon & Branding
Action
1 icon(s) detected
FIX
1 icon(s) detected
Warning::
No favicon.ico at site root
Some older browsers, bookmark tools, and RSS readers look for /favicon.ico. Add one as a fallback.
Info::
HTML icon links detected
Info::
No apple-touch-icon detected
iOS devices use this when users add your site to their home screen. Add <link rel='apple-touch-icon' sizes='180x180' href='/apple-touch-icon.png'>.
✗ favicon.ico Missing
✓ PNG Icons Present
✗ Apple Touch Missing
✗ SVG Favicon Missing
✗ Manifest Icons Missing
✗ Multiple Sizes Missing
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.

C
Form Accessibility
Action
7 of 9 controls have issues
REVIEW
7 of 9 controls have issues
Critical::
7 control(s) without accessible label
Form controls need a <label>, aria-label, or aria-labelledby for screen readers.
Got: <select>; <input type="submit">; <input type="text" name="sl" id="goog-gt-votingInputSrcLang">; <input type="text" name="tl" id="goog-gt-votingInputTrgLang">; <input type="text" name="query" id="goog-gt-votingInputSrcText">; <input type="text" name="gtrans" id="goog-gt-votingInputTrgText">; <input type="text" name="vote" id="goog-gt-votingInputVote">
Info::
2 control(s) properly labeled
9 controls
2 labeled
0 placeholder only
7 unlabeled
ControlTypeLabelMethod
selectselectWidget de idiomas del Traductoraria-label
#ucb-search-text-fieldsearchEnter the terms you wish to search for.for/id
selectselect(none)none
inputsubmit(none)none
#goog-gt-votingInputSrcLangtext(none)none
#goog-gt-votingInputTrgLangtext(none)none
#goog-gt-votingInputSrcTexttext(none)none
#goog-gt-votingInputTrgTexttext(none)none
#goog-gt-votingInputVotetext(none)none

Form controls need a <label>, aria-label, or aria-labelledby for screen readers.

<select>; <input type="submit">; <input type="text" name="sl" id="goog-gt-votingInputSrcLang">; <input type="text" name="tl" id="goog-gt-votingInputTrgLang">; <input type="text" name="query" id="goog-gt-votingInputSrcText">; <input type="text" name="gtrans" id="goog-gt-votingInputTrgText">; <input type="text" name="vote" id="goog-gt-votingInputVote">

Why this matters

Form controls without labels — assistive tech announces 'edit text' with no context; users can't complete forms.

Source: WCAG 2.1 SC 3.3.2

C
Navigation UX
Action
2 navigation pattern(s)
REVIEW
2 navigation pattern(s)
Info::
Search functionality detected
Got: role-search
Info::
Skip navigation link detected
Info::
1 navigation landmark(s) detected
Info::
Hamburger menu detected (responsive design)
Breadcrumbs
Search role='search' landmark
Skip Link Skip link detected
Labeled Navigation 1 <nav> element(s)
Back to Top
Hamburger Menu
Sticky Navigation Cannot reliably detect (CSS-based)
4 of 6 testable patterns navigation patterns detected. Strong navigation UX with multiple discovery paths.
C
Color Contrast (Screenshot)
Action
20 text elements analyzed, 12 fail WCAG AA
REVIEW

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

8 pass 12 fail WCAG AA
title Home | University of Colorado Boulder
1.00:1
#000000
on
#000000
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · top of page (header area)
a Skip to main content
1.21:1
#000000
on
#1A1A1A
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · top of page (header area) · over background image/gradient
option Translate
2.09:1
#000000
on
#424242
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · top of page (header area)
option English
1.84:1
#000000
on
#3B393F
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · top of page (header area)
option Spanish
1.46:1
#000000
on
#272B28
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · above the fold
option Chinese
1.82:1
#000000
on
#403736
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · above the fold · over background image/gradient
option French
1.55:1
#000000
on
#372B2F
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · above the fold
option German
1.40:1
#000000
on
#28262A
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · above the fold
option Korean
1.31:1
#000000
on
#1F2220
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · above the fold
option Lao
1.31:1
#000000
on
#1C2227
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · above the fold
option Nepali
2.01:1
#000000
on
#2C4628
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · above the fold
option Japanese
1.74:1
#000000
on
#223C20
needs 4.5:1 (normal text)
16px · above the fold

2 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
h2 Search21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h3 Other ways to search…21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
title Home | University of…1.00:14.5:1
#000000
#000000
Fail
a Skip to main content1.21:14.5:1
#000000
#1A1A1A
Fail
option Translate2.09:14.5:1
#000000
#424242
Fail
option English1.84:14.5:1
#000000
#3B393F
Fail
option Spanish1.46:14.5:1
#000000
#272B28
Fail
option Chinese1.82:14.5:1
#000000
#403736
Fail
option French1.55:14.5:1
#000000
#372B2F
Fail
option German1.40:14.5:1
#000000
#28262A
Fail
option Korean1.31:14.5:1
#000000
#1F2220
Fail
option Lao1.31:14.5:1
#000000
#1C2227
Fail
option Nepali2.01:14.5:1
#000000
#2C4628
Fail
option Japanese1.74:14.5:1
#000000
#223C20
Fail
option Tibetan21.00:14.5:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
option Seleccionar idioma21.00:14.5:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
option español21.00:14.5:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
option Abjasio21.00:14.5:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
option Achenés21.00:14.5:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
option Acholi21.00:14.5:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass

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.

B
Lighthouse Accessibility Audits
Score 85/100 — 4 failing, 24 passed
REVIEW
85

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
CU Athletics to receive $6M gift to elevate student experience, campus excellen… campus-news > div.row > div.campus-news-article-grid > a
Read more div.row > div.campus-news-article-grid > p.campus-news-article-summary > a
Advice from Sustainable Buffs on being a conscious consumer campus-news > div.row > div.campus-news-article-grid > a
Read more div.row > div.campus-news-article-grid > p.campus-news-article-summary > a
Volunteer for commencement events May 1–3 campus-news > div.row > div.campus-news-article-grid > a
Read more div.row > div.campus-news-article-grid > p.campus-news-article-summary > a
Colorado snowpack tells a troubling story for water and wildfire in the West campus-news > div.row > div.campus-news-article-grid > a
Read more div.row > div.campus-news-article-grid > p.campus-news-article-summary > a
Buffalo Chip: CU Boulder, Sweet Cow serve up a sweet celebration campus-news > div.row > div.campus-news-article-grid > a
Read more div.row > div.campus-news-article-grid > p.campus-news-article-summary > a
What to expect during Grad Days 2026 campus-news > div.row > div.campus-news-article-grid > a
Read more div.row > div.campus-news-article-grid > p.campus-news-article-summary > a
Read more at CU Boulder Today div.container > campus-news > div.ucb-campus-news-grid-link-container > a.ucb-campus-news-grid-link

These are opportunities to improve the legibility of your content.

Names and labels

Form elements without effective labels can create frustrating experiences for screen reader users. Learn more about the `select` element.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

Failing Elements
Translate English Spanish Chinese French German Korean Lao Nepali Japanese Tibe… div.container > div.ucb-brand-bar > div.ucb-brand-bar-controls > select.ucb-lang-select

Link text (and alternate text for images, when used as links) that is discernible, unique, and focusable improves the navigation experience for screen reader users. Learn how to make links accessible.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

Failing Elements
div.text-block-body > div > p.text-align-center > a div.text-block-body > div > p.text-align-center > a
div.text-block-body > div > p.text-align-center > a div.text-block-body > div > p.text-align-center > a
div.text-block-body > div > p.text-align-center > a div.text-block-body > div > p.text-align-center > a
div.text-block-body > div > p.text-align-center > a div.text-block-body > div > p.text-align-center > a
div.text-block-body > div > p.text-align-center > a div.text-block-body > div > p.text-align-center > a

These are opportunities to improve the semantics of the controls in your application. This may enhance the experience for users of assistive technology, like a screen reader.

Best practices

Touch targets with sufficient size and spacing help users who may have difficulty targeting small controls to activate the targets. Learn more about touch targets.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

Failing Elements
University of Colorado Boulder div.ucb-footer > div#block-site-contact-info-footer > span.h5 > a

These items highlight common accessibility best practices.

○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
●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.
●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
●Heading elements appear in a sequentially-descending order
●Skip links are focusable.
●Document has a main landmark.
●Deprecated ARIA roles were not used
●Identical links have the same purpose.
○`[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
○The document does not use `<meta http-equiv="refresh">`
○`<object>` elements have alternate text
○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.
○Uses ARIA roles only on compatible elements
○Image elements do not have `[alt]` attributes that are redundant text.
○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.
A+
Landmark Structure
5 landmarks
PASS
5 landmarks
Info::
<main> landmark present
Info::
1 <nav> landmark(s) found
Info::
Skip navigation link present
Info::
Search landmark present
Page Structure — as a screen reader sees it
BANNER header NAV SEARCH MAIN CONTENTINFO footer
A+
Heading Hierarchy
13 headings
PASS
13 headings
Info::
Single H1 present
  • H2 Search
  • H3 Other ways to search:
  • H2 About
  • H2 Academics
  • H2 Admissions
  • H2 Research
  • H2 Visit
  • H1 Home
  • H2 Academics
  • H2 Opportunity Is Everywhere at CU Boulder
  • H2 Research
  • H2 Campus News
  • H2 Events
A+
Alt Text Quality
All 15 images OK
PASS
All 15 images OK
Info::
1 image(s) with alt text over 125 characters
Info::
1 decorative image(s) correctly marked
Info::
13 image(s) with good alt text
15 images 13 good alt text 1 decorative
IssueCount
too long1 image(s)
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 | University of Colorado Boulder ✓Custom Styling ✓Navigation ✓Homepage Link ✓Search Form ✓
A+
Print Stylesheet
Print styles detected
PASS
Print styles detected
Info::
External print stylesheet detected
Got: /sites/default/files/css/css_yVTCzCQvO5wkGkOeew7ZmgwOsjmMNEHo3wS92hZFGwo.css?delta=4&language=en&theme=boulder_base&include=eJx9kmtuxCAMhC8Ub44UGXAIXV6yTbu5fdmwq1ZK2p98M5btMaa06IgXg0JzCp5RaRHdI8lkfmvNGjCM2YFBPku2ZKWs4Dm4s0qfXROwGCm7q_K1FCWGRLkBkw8lnz0-FoPxzBN5HJUmFnu_MuR2TeHYFJTRBb1sWtHTmQoh2w1MefyppeKuhhXqSfUI9v93laB0ZIpWIeS1vBI6O5Ue-lrcFqbZcasYb_iBjymRCzivIfbKm8V6rFiRsZ-5bvL2_pBby7WZGGQjN8kuSml-dpp6p8X0CaRHVZeIe2kq40-8Kbzo4bWYapMl09dwjTc830O_99G08FJj8yHL_AYwwDiMfAOnRwJv
Print Stylesheet ✓ Print Optimized
Print stylesheet /sites/default/files/css/css_yVTCzCQvO5wkGkOeew7ZmgwOsjmMNEHo3wS92hZFGwo.css?delta=4&language=en&theme=boulder_base&include=eJx9kmtuxCAMhC8Ub44UGXAIXV6yTbu5fdmwq1ZK2p98M5btMaa06IgXg0JzCp5RaRHdI8lkfmvNGjCM2YFBPku2ZKWs4Dm4s0qfXROwGCm7q_K1FCWGRLkBkw8lnz0-FoPxzBN5HJUmFnu_MuR2TeHYFJTRBb1sWtHTmQoh2w1MefyppeKuhhXqSfUI9v93laB0ZIpWIeS1vBI6O5Ue-lrcFqbZcasYb_iBjymRCzivIfbKm8V6rFiRsZ-5bvL2_pBby7WZGGQjN8kuSml-dpp6p8X0CaRHVZeIe2kq40-8Kbzo4bWYapMl09dwjTc830O_99G08FJj8yHL_AYwwDiMfAOnRwJv ✓Inline @media print Not detected ✗
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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