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Accessibility

· 13 checks — Landmarks, headings, alt text, forms, and link quality rolled into one auditable list.
SCORE
52
GRADE
F
FIX
6
REVIEW
3
PASS
4
INFO
0
Checks
13
4 PASS 3 REVIEW 6 FIX
D
Form Accessibility
Action
6 of 9 controls have issues
FIX
6 of 9 controls have issues
Critical::
5 control(s) without accessible label
Form controls need a <label>, aria-label, or aria-labelledby for screen readers.
Got: <input type="submit">; <input type="submit">; <input type="reset">; <input type="submit">; <input type="reset">
Warning::
1 control(s) rely on placeholder only
Placeholder text disappears on focus and is not a reliable label.
Got: <input type="text" name="q">
Info::
3 control(s) properly labeled
9 controls
3 labeled
1 placeholder only
5 unlabeled
ControlTypeLabelMethod
#firstnametextLabelfor/id
#lastnametextLabelfor/id
#searchstringtextLabelfor/id
qtext(Search)placeholder only
inputreset(none)none
inputsubmit(none)none
inputsubmit(none)none
inputreset(none)none
inputsubmit(none)none

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

<input type="submit">; <input type="submit">; <input type="reset">; <input type="submit">; <input type="reset">

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

Placeholder text disappears on focus and is not a reliable label.

<input type="text" name="q">

Why this matters

Placeholder-only labels disappear when the user starts typing — they must remember what the field was for.

Learn more ▾

Placeholders are NOT labels. They vanish on input, fail color contrast checks (most are gray), and don't satisfy WCAG SC 3.3.2. Always use a real <label> alongside (or aria-labelledby).

Source: WCAG 2.1 SC 3.3.2 / Nielsen Norman

F
Favicon & Branding
Action
1 icon(s) detected
FIX
1 icon(s) detected
Info::
favicon.ico present at site root
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 Present
✗ PNG Icons Missing
✗ 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.

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
No navigation patterns
FIX
No navigation patterns
Info::
1 navigation landmark(s) detected
Info::
No breadcrumbs, search, or skip link detected
These navigation aids help users orient themselves and find content efficiently, especially on large sites.
Breadcrumbs
Search
Skip Link
Labeled Navigation 1 <nav> element(s)
Back to Top
Hamburger Menu
Sticky Navigation Cannot reliably detect (CSS-based)
1 of 6 testable patterns navigation patterns detected. Limited navigation support. Consider adding breadcrumbs, search, and skip link.
C
Alt Text Quality
Action
4 of 37 images have issues
REVIEW
4 of 37 images have issues
Critical::
4 image(s) missing alt attribute
Images without alt text are invisible to screen readers.
Info::
2 decorative image(s) correctly marked
Info::
31 image(s) with good alt text
37 images 31 good alt text 2 decorative 4 missing
IssueCount
missing4 image(s)

Images without alt text are invisible to screen readers.

Why this matters

Each image without alt text is a WCAG 1.1.1 failure — invisible to screen-reader users, lost from Google Image Search.

Learn more ▾

WCAG 2.1 Level A requires text alternatives for non-decorative images. Empty alt='' is fine for decorative; meaningful images need descriptive text. Common fixes: CMS audit + bulk add, build-time linter (alt-text-required ESLint rule), CI gate on Lighthouse a11y score.

Source: WCAG 2.1 SC 1.1.1 / WebAIM Million Report

B
404 Error Page
HTTP 404, custom page
REVIEW
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
404 Page Quality ✓ Custom 404 Page
Status Code HTTP 404 ✓Page Title 404 Error Page - Western University ✓Custom Styling ✓Navigation ✓Homepage Link ✗Search Form ✗
A
Landmark Structure
5 landmarks
PASS
5 landmarks
Info::
<main> landmark present
Info::
1 <nav> landmark(s) found
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.
Page Structure — as a screen reader sees it
BANNER header NAV MAIN CONTENTINFO footer

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

A+
Heading Hierarchy
61 headings
PASS
61 headings
Info::
Single H1 present
  • H2 News & Events
  • H2 Work Here
  • H2 Popular Pages
  • H2 Programs
  • H2 Faculties & Schools
  • H2 Popular Pages
  • H2 Popular Pages
  • H3 Quick Links:
  • H1 Western University
  • H2 Explore Your Possibilities
  • H3 Undergraduate Programs
  • H3 Graduate Programs
  • H3 Research & Innovation
  • H2 All in.
  • H3 A grand collaboration for Canada and the world
  • H2 Latest News
  • H3 Western named one of ‘Canada’s Greenest Employers’
  • H3 Western Awards for Excellence in Teaching celebrate dedicated, creative faculty
  • H3 Western postdoc maps the brain’s response to cannabis
  • H3 Western father-daughter pair champion science fairs for a combined 81 years – and counting
  • H3 Western named one of ‘Canada’s Greenest Employers’
  • H3 Western Awards for Excellence in Teaching celebrate dedicated, creative faculty
  • H3 Western postdoc maps the brain’s response to cannabis
  • H3 Western father-daughter pair champion science fairs for a combined 81 years – and counting
  • H3 Western named one of ‘Canada’s Greenest Employers’
  • H3 Western Awards for Excellence in Teaching celebrate dedicated, creative faculty
  • H3 Western postdoc maps the brain’s response to cannabis
  • H3 Western father-daughter pair champion science fairs for a combined 81 years – and counting
  • H2 The Impact Project
  • H3 Join us as we uncover what it takes to make positive change in our world.
  • H2 Our Community
  • H3 Nancy Huang
  • H4 Science Student
  • H3 Artemis Cherkaev
  • H4 Engineering & Business Student
  • H3 Margaret Gleed
  • H4 Philosophy & Business, HBA'25
  • H3 Nancy Huang
  • H4 Science Student
  • H3 Artemis Cherkaev
  • H4 Engineering & Business Student
  • H3 Margaret Gleed
  • H4 Philosophy & Business, HBA'25
  • H3 Nancy Huang
  • H4 Science Student
  • H3 Artemis Cherkaev
  • H4 Engineering & Business Student
  • H3 Margaret Gleed
  • H4 Philosophy & Business, HBA'25
  • H2 Western Alumni Magazine
  • H3 Dr. Robyn Klein
  • H2 What’s On
  • H2 Experience Western
  • H2 About Western
  • H2 Admission
  • H2 Academics
  • H2 Campus Life
  • H2 Research
  • H2 Campus
  • H2 Student Services
  • H2 Community
A+
Color Contrast (Screenshot)
20 text elements analyzed, 0 fail WCAG AA
PASS

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

20 pass
Show all checked elements (20)
ElementRatioRequiredFGBGResult
h1 Western University21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 News & Events21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Work Here21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Popular Pages21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Programs21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Faculties & Schools21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Popular Pages21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Popular Pages21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Explore Your Possibi…21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 All in.21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Latest News21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 The Impact Project21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Our Community21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Western Alumni Magaz…21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 What’s On21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h2 Experience Western21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h3 Quick Links:21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h3 Undergraduate Progra…21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h3 Graduate Programs21.00:13.0:1
#000000
#FFFFFF
Pass
h3 Research & Innovatio…21.00:13.0:1
#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.

A+
Lighthouse Accessibility Audits
Score 100/100 — 0 failing, 28 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
●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
●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
●Identical links have the same purpose.
●Elements with visible text labels have matching accessible names.
○`[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
○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
○`<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.
○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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