2.4.5 Multiple Ways: More than one way is available to locate a Web page within a set of Web pages except where the Web page is the result of, or a step in, a process.
SC 2.4.5 Multiple Ways is part of the accessibility principle Operable because providing at least two ways to navigate a site can help users find information more quickly and in a manner that best meets their needs. This SC ensures there are at least two ways to find a specific Web page within a website, unless that Web page is a result of or a step in a process. By providing multiple ways, users without vision or with limited vision, limited manipulation, limited reach and strength, or limited language, cognitive, and learning abilities can more easily locate content.
If website content is rendered as a result of a task/action or step in a process, SC 2.4.5 Multiple Ways does not apply. Some examples of when the exclusion applies are:
- A results Web page for a search engine. The results page for “Coffee” cannot be located until a user inputs their search request for “Coffee” and performs the search process itself.
- A confirmation page. The confirmation page of an order, registration, or bank transaction is displayed once a task is complete and cannot be located until that time.
At least two options must be provided to users to find and navigate to content pages within a Web site. Techniques to provide users a means to locate a page may include, but are not limited to, the use of:
- Site maps and site index
- Site search fields
- Table of contents
- Navigation menus or dropdowns
- Navigation trees
- Links between pages (such as links to all pages on a home page, a list of all available Web pages, or a means to move forward/backward through each Web page)
Impact of Nonconformance with SC 2.4.5 Multiple Ways
| Type of Disability | Description of Impact |
|---|---|
| 302.1 Without Vision | Users who are blind cannot use a mouse to interact with electronic content and typically use an assistive technology, such as a screen reader, to get audible or other alternative output for the information represented visually. To be able to navigate the content, understand its structure and relationships, and understand the meaning of content represented in graphics and images, the content must provide textual and programmatic cues in addition to the content presented purely visually. |
| 302.2 With Limited Vision | Users with limited vision may have widely different visual perception. Individuals with limited vision may or may not use assistive technologies. Therefore, in addition to textual and programmatic cues necessary for assistive technologies, ICT must also present content consistently and predictably. Users who view content with magnifiers may not pick up alerts, warnings, or other content if such content is presented outside of a consistent and predictable navigation pattern or if the content is not itself viewable at large magnification. Content that becomes distorted when magnified can also prevent some users with limited vision from being able to understand or interact with the content. |
| 302.7 With Limited Manipulation | Some users may not be able to perform actions that require fine motor control (clicking and dragging), path dependent gestures (pattern-based passcodes), or simultaneous actions (Ctrl + Alt + Del). Providing alternative means to perform the same actions, such as entering the size specifications in an input field to resize an object or allowing sequential key entries, can enable users with limited manipulation to interact with the same content. |
| 302.8 With Limited Reach and Strength | Some users may lack sufficient strength to perform actions such as squeezing, grasping, or depressing a hardware control. Some users, including those in wheelchairs or of shorter stature, may not be able to reach controls that are placed too high or too far away from where a user would access the device controls or interface. ICT designers and developers must consider a broad range of statures, strength and dexterity limitations, and the needs of wheelchair users in order to provide interfaces that are operable with limited reach and/or strength. |
| 302.9 With Limited Language, Cognitive, and Learning Abilities | Some users require more time than average to process information while others may find complicated instructions difficult to follow. Furthermore, some ICT content can distract or overwhelm users, preventing them from being able to interact with or understand other ICT content. Designers and developers of ICT must consider a broad range of cognitive abilities in order to provide ICT that is simple and easy to use. |
Applicability of Success Criteria 2.4.5 Multiple Ways
| Technology | Applicability of SC 2.4.5 Multiple Ways |
|---|---|
| Web | Some examples of methods that Web developers can use to help a user locate a Web page within a set of pages might include: Navigation Menus, Site Maps or Site Indexes, Search Functions, Table of Contents. To satisfy the requirement for SC 2.4.5 Multiple Ways a website must provide more than one method to find a page. |
| Software | Per the Revised Section 508 Standards, SC 2.4.5 Multiple Ways DOES NOT APPLY to non-Web software. |
| Office documents | Per the Revised Section 508 Standards, SC 2.4.5 Multiple Ways DOES NOT APPLY to non-Web documents. |
| PDF documents | Per the Revised Section 508 Standards, SC 2.4.5 Multiple Ways DOES NOT APPLY to non-Web documents. |
| Mobile Native | Per the Revised Section 508 Standards, SC 2.4.5 Multiple Ways DOES NOT APPLY to non-Web, mobile-native software. |