Accessibility

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

SCORE

GRADE

FIX

REVIEW

PASS

INFO

Checks

6 PASS 4 REVIEW 3 FIX

Web Manifest

Action

Valid manifest

FIX

Valid manifest

No name or short_name

Add a name field to identify the app.

192x192 icon present

512x512 icon present

PWA Install Criteria Not Installable

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

Icons 2 icon(s)

Dark Mode Support

Action

No dark mode signals

FIX

No dark mode signals

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 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.

Heading Hierarchy

Action

36 headings, 2 skip(s)

REVIEW

36 headings, 2 skip(s)

Multiple H1 headings (2 found)

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

Heading level skipped: H1 → H6 (missing H2)

Skipping heading levels breaks the document outline. Screen readers may interpret missing levels as structural errors.

Heading level skipped: H2 → H6 (missing H3)

Skipping heading levels breaks the document outline. Screen readers may interpret missing levels as structural errors.

H2 About
H2 Admissions
H3 Life at NC State
H3 Apply Now
H2 Academics
H2 Innovation
H2 Community
H1 Fashion Week Takeover
H6 A Joyous Return to Earth skipped
H3 Jesse Eisenberg to Headline 2026 Human Factor Series
H3 Lenovo Investment Advances Esports
H2 More From NC State
H6 Golfer Marie Eline Madsen Builds off Dynamite Freshman Season skipped
H6 Grad Programs Climb Atop the Rankings
H6 Discover Design Studies
H6 Eighth Day of Giving Makes Its Mark
H2 Think and Do With Us
H2 Top 50 University in the United States
H2 Top 10 Best Value Among U.S. Public Universities
H2 See Yourself Here
H2 We Solve Problems
H3 Results
H3 Celebrate Earth Month
H2 Upcoming Events
H3 Sexual Assault Awareness Month Denim Installation
H3 Emerging Designers Textile Showcase
H3 Celebration of Sustainability
H3 Sustainability Showcase
H3 A Creek in Carolina: Artworks by Bobby C. Martin
H2 Campus Map
H2 Connect With Us
H1 Find NC State websites, locations and people duplicate H1
H2 MyPack Portal
H2 University Libraries
H2 Academic Calendar
H2 Majors and Careers

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

Skipping heading levels breaks the document outline. Screen readers may interpret missing levels as structural errors.

Why this matters

Skipping heading levels breaks the document outline — screen-reader users lose track of section nesting.

Learn more ▾

Screen reader users navigate by jumping between headings (H1 → H2 → H3). Skipping (H1 → H3) breaks the sense of hierarchy. Use sequential levels even if you don't like the default styling — restyle with CSS instead. WCAG 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships) treats this as an A failure.

Source: WCAG 2.1 SC 1.3.1 / W3C WAI

Skipping heading levels breaks the document outline. Screen readers may interpret missing levels as structural errors.

Why this matters

Skipping heading levels breaks the document outline — screen-reader users lose track of section nesting.

Learn more ▾

Source: WCAG 2.1 SC 1.3.1 / W3C WAI

Link & Button Quality

Action

2 issue(s) across 148 links and 9 buttons

REVIEW

2 issue(s) across 148 links and 9 buttons

2 link(s) with no accessible text

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

Got: a.sbi_share_close (#1101 on page); a.sbi_lb-close (#1113 on page)

10 link(s) open in new tab without warning

Add '(opens in new tab)' to link text or aria-label.

Got: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWVYinRDZ9p/; https://www.instagram.com/p/DWTkkmuGgIT/; https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWSxWiKDT7_/; https://www.instagram.com/p/DWRojlUkSK9/; ; ; ; ; ; https://www.instagram.com/

136 link(s) with descriptive text

148 links

2 empty

0 generic text

10 new tab

0 empty buttons

Element	Text	Issue	Suggested Fix
https://www.instagram.com/p/DWVYinRDZ9p/	🐺📍➡️ Swipe to see ho…	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://www.instagram.com/p/DWTkkmuGgIT/	Ready, set, SEARCH. 🐺🔍 T…	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWSxWiKDT…	Where will YOU make your mark …	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://www.instagram.com/p/DWRojlUkSK9/	These students won free $$$ to…	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
	Facebook	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
	Twitter	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
	Linkedin	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
	Pinterest	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
	Email	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
	(empty)	empty	Add link text or aria-label
https://www.instagram.com/	Instagram	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
	(empty)	empty	Add link text or aria-label

145 links and buttons have descriptive text

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

a.sbi_share_close (#1101 on page); a.sbi_lb-close (#1113 on page)

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

Add '(opens in new tab)' to link text or aria-label.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWVYinRDZ9p/; https://www.instagram.com/p/DWTkkmuGgIT/; https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWSxWiKDT7_/; https://www.instagram.com/p/DWRojlUkSK9/; ; ; ; ; ; https://www.instagram.com/

Why this matters

Links with target="_blank" without rel="noopener" leak the originating page's window context — security and UX issue.

Learn more ▾

Without rel="noopener", the new tab can navigate the original tab via window.opener (tab-nabbing attack). Modern browsers default to noopener for target=_blank but only since recent versions. Always set rel="noopener noreferrer" explicitly.

Source: MDN target / OWASP

404 Error Page

Action

Could not test

REVIEW

Could not test

404 page could not be tested

The 404 page check encountered an error. This may be due to a timeout or network issue.

404 page quality check not available.

Color Contrast (Screenshot)

Action

20 text elements analyzed, 20 fail WCAG AA

REVIEW

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

0 pass 20 fail WCAG AA

h1 Fashion Week Takeover

2.35:1

#000000

#990000

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

32px · bottom of viewport

h1 Find NC State websites, locations and pe…

2.35:1

#000000

#990000

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

32px · bottom of viewport

h2 About

2.35:1

#000000

#990000

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Admissions

2.35:1

#000000

#990000

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Academics

2.35:1

#000000

#990000

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Innovation

2.35:1

#000000

#990000

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Community

2.35:1

#000000

#990000

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 More From NC State

2.35:1

#000000

#990000

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Think and Do With Us

2.35:1

#000000

#990000

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Top 50 University in the United States

2.35:1

#000000

#990000

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Top 10 Best Value Among U.S. Public Univ…

2.35:1

#000000

#990000

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 See Yourself Here

2.35:1

#000000

#990000

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport · over background image/gradient

h2 We Solve Problems

2.35:1

#000000

#990000

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Upcoming Events

2.35:1

#000000

#990000

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Campus Map

2.35:1

#000000

#990000

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Connect With Us

2.35:1

#000000

#990000

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 MyPack Portal

2.35:1

#000000

#990000

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 University Libraries

2.35:1

#000000

#990000

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Academic Calendar

2.35:1

#000000

#990000

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Majors and Careers

2.35:1

#000000

#990000

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

1 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)

Element	Ratio	Required	FG	BG	Result
h1 Fashion Week Takeove…	2.35:1	3.0:1	#000000	#990000	Fail
h1 Find NC State websit…	2.35:1	3.0:1	#000000	#990000	Fail
h2 About	2.35:1	3.0:1	#000000	#990000	Fail
h2 Admissions	2.35:1	3.0:1	#000000	#990000	Fail
h2 Academics	2.35:1	3.0:1	#000000	#990000	Fail
h2 Innovation	2.35:1	3.0:1	#000000	#990000	Fail
h2 Community	2.35:1	3.0:1	#000000	#990000	Fail
h2 More From NC State	2.35:1	3.0:1	#000000	#990000	Fail
h2 Think and Do With Us	2.35:1	3.0:1	#000000	#990000	Fail
h2 Top 50 University in…	2.35:1	3.0:1	#000000	#990000	Fail
h2 Top 10 Best Value Am…	2.35:1	3.0:1	#000000	#990000	Fail
h2 See Yourself Here	2.35:1	3.0:1	#000000	#990000	Fail
h2 We Solve Problems	2.35:1	3.0:1	#000000	#990000	Fail
h2 Upcoming Events	2.35:1	3.0:1	#000000	#990000	Fail
h2 Campus Map	2.35:1	3.0:1	#000000	#990000	Fail
h2 Connect With Us	2.35:1	3.0:1	#000000	#990000	Fail
h2 MyPack Portal	2.35:1	3.0:1	#000000	#990000	Fail
h2 University Libraries	2.35:1	3.0:1	#000000	#990000	Fail
h2 Academic Calendar	2.35:1	3.0:1	#000000	#990000	Fail
h2 Majors and Careers	2.35:1	3.0:1	#000000	#990000	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.

Landmark Structure

6 landmarks

PASS

6 landmarks

<main> landmark present

4 <nav> landmark(s) found

4 of 4 <nav> elements are unlabeled

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

No banner (header) landmark

Skip navigation link present

Page Structure — as a screen reader sees it

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

Alt Text Quality

All 18 images OK

PASS

All 18 images OK

5 image(s) with alt text over 125 characters

2 decorative image(s) correctly marked

11 image(s) with good alt text

18 images 11 good alt text 2 decorative

Issue	Count
too long	5 image(s)

A+

Form Accessibility

All 2 controls labeled

PASS

All 2 controls labeled

2 control(s) properly labeled

2 controls

2 labeled

0 placeholder only

0 unlabeled

Control	Type	Label	Method
#navcheck	checkbox	Menu	for/id
#query	text	Search all of ncsu.edu	for/id

Favicon & Branding

6 icon(s) detected

PASS

6 icon(s) detected

favicon.ico present at site root

HTML icon links detected

Apple touch icon present

SVG favicon detected — scales perfectly to any size

Multiple icon sizes detected

✓ favicon.ico Present

✓ PNG Icons Present

✓ Apple Touch Present

✓ SVG Favicon Present

✓ Manifest Icons Present

✓ Multiple Sizes Present

A+

Print Stylesheet

Print styles detected

PASS

Print styles detected

External print stylesheet detected

Got: https://www.ncsu.edu/wp-content/themes/ncstate-theme-v4/dist/styles/print.css?ver=4.15.1

Print Stylesheet ✓ Print Optimized

Print stylesheet https://www.ncsu.edu/wp-content/themes/ncstate-theme-v4/dist/styles/print.css?ver=4.15.1 ✓Inline @media print Not detected ✗

A+

Lighthouse Accessibility Audits

Score 95/100 — 2 failing, 26 passed

PASS

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.

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
A Joyous Return to Earth `div.wp-block-ncst-spotlight-image > figure.spotlight__image > div.content > h6`
Golfer Marie Eline Madsen Builds off Dynamite Freshman Season `div.ncst-curated-news-list__container > div.wp-block-ncst-curated-news > div.curated-news__content > h6`

These are opportunities to improve keyboard navigation in your application.

Names and labels

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
🐺📍➡️ Swipe to see how you made your mark, Wolfpack. Your 18,028 gifts totaled $… `div#sbi_18082935728359067 > div.sbi_inner_wrap > div.sbi_photo_wrap > a.sbi_photo`
Ready, set, SEARCH. 🐺🔍 There are FIVE stuffed Wufs hidden across campus (main a… `div#sbi_18065938292324268 > div.sbi_inner_wrap > div.sbi_photo_wrap > a.sbi_photo`
Where will YOU make your mark today? 📍 On Day of Giving, every gift is a way to… `div#sbi_17904540792219805 > div.sbi_inner_wrap > div.sbi_photo_wrap > a.sbi_photo`
These students won free $$$ to support their favorite areas of NC State‼️ YOU c… `div#sbi_18175961164386092 > div.sbi_inner_wrap > div.sbi_photo_wrap > a.sbi_photo`

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.

○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

●Form elements have associated labels

●`[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

●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.

●Skip links are focusable.

●Document has a main landmark.

●Deprecated ARIA roles were not used

●Uses ARIA roles only on compatible elements

●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

○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.

○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.

○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.