Polypane and WCAG

 Latest update: 11 November 2023

Polypane can assist you with checking of at least 23 out of 50 WCAG 2.1 level AA success criteria.

So next to developers and designers, Polypane might be loved by accessibility auditors. An all-in-one tool to help you do your audit quicker. Polypane's support is last seen in version 9. If you have something useful that I have missed then please send me a message.

We are working on an updated version. WCAG 2.2 will be included soon (now U/I which means, under investigation)

Quick reference checking accessibility with Polypane

Success Criterion Polypane support Manual check needed Usage
1.1.1 Non-text Content yes some
  • Open Devtools panel - Info - Outline - Images
  • Debug tools - Disable images
1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) N/A
1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded) N/A
1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded) N/A
1.2.4 Captions (Live) N/A
1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded) N/A
1.3.1 Info and Relationships partly yes
  • Open Devtools panel - Info - Outline - Headings
  • and many more features in Polypane
1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence yes yes Debug tools - Disable CSS
1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics no
1.3.4 Orientation yes some Rotate device
1.3.5 Identify Input Purpose partly yes Manually via DevTools - Elements - Accessibility
1.4.1 Use of Color N/A
1.4.2 Audio Control N/A
1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) yes yes Color picker (Shift Alt P)
1.4.4 Resize text yes yes
  • Open Devtools panel - Info - Meta - Viewport
  • Set pane size to 1280 x 1024 px
    In Main menu: View - Zoom web pages - Zoom Page in (to 200%)
1.4.5 Images of Text yes yes Open Devtools panel - Info - Outline - Images
1.4.10 Reflow yes yes
  • Open Devtools panel - Info - Meta - Viewport
  • Set pane size to 1280 x 1024 px
    In Main menu: View - Zoom web pages - Zoom Page in (to 400%)
1.4.11 Non-text Contrast yes some
  • Color picker
  • Debug tools - Contrast checker
1.4.12 Text Spacing yes yes Debug tools - Text spacing
1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus N/A
2.1.1 Keyboard partly yes When focus is hard to follow:
Debug tools - Track focus
2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap partly yes When focus is hard to follow:
Debug tools - Track focus
2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts N/A
2.2.1 Timing Adjustable N/A
2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide N/A
2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold N/A
2.4.1 Bypass Blocks partly yes Open Devtools panel - Info - Outline - Links
2.4.2 Page Titled yes some view Tab name, or
Open Devtools panel - Info - Meta - Site information
2.4.3 Focus Order partly yes
  • Open Devtools panel - Info - Outline - Focus order - Show overlay
  • When focus is hard to follow:
    Debug tools - Track focus
2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) yes yes Open Devtools panel - Info - Outline - Links
2.4.5 Multiple Ways N/A
2.4.6 Headings and Labels N/A
2.4.7 Focus Visible no
2.4.11 Focus Not Obscured (Minimum) U/I
2.5.1 Pointer Gestures N/A
2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation N/A
2.5.3 Label in Name yes yes Open Devtools panel - Info - Outline - Images
2.5.4 Motion Actuation N/A
2.5.7 Dragging Movements U/I
2.5.8 Target Size xxxx
3.1.1 Language of Page yes yes Open Devtools panel - Info - Meta - landcode
3.1.2 Language of Parts partly yes Open Devtools panel - Edit - Devtools - Elements -
3.2.1 On Focus N/A
3.2.2 On Input N/A
3.2.3 Consistent Navigation N/A
3.2.4 Consistent Identification N/A
3.3.1 Error Identification N/A
3.3.2 Labels or Instructions N/A
3.3.3 Error Suggestion N/A
3.3.4 Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data) N/A
4.1.1 Parsing (obsolete) partly yes Open Devtools panel - Info - Source
4.1.2 Name, Role, Value partly yes
  • Hover over element, press Alt
  • Open Devtools panel - Info - Source
  • Open Devtools panel - Edit - Devtools - Elements - Accessibility
  • Open Devtools panel - Edit - Elements - A11y
4.1.3 Status Messages partly yes
  • Open Devtools panel - Info - Source
  • Open Devtools panel - Edit - Devtools - Elements - Accessibility

Polypane's other accessibility features

  • Readability
  • Color blindness emulator
  • High contrast mode
  • Tota11y
  • Accessibility panel (check with Axe is built-in) and a11y.css
  • Mobile accessibility
  • Reduced motion
  • and more, and hopefully more to come...

Check Polypane's accessibility overview for all features.