3.2.4 Consistent Identification

3.2.4 Consistent Identification: Components that have the same functionality within a set of Web pages are identified consistently. (Level AA)

The guideline states that functional components (elements) that appear repeatedly in a set of web pages must have the same name/label. Assistive aid users heavily rely on these functional elements for quick navigation & understanding the purpose of a particular widget.

For example the “search button “is labelled as either “find or go” in a web page while it is being labelled as “search” on all other pages then it violates this checkpoint. This checkpoint applies to non-text content, icons and images that appear repeatedly & convey the same information must be provided with same alternative text.

Points to Remember

• Icons & images that are used repeatedly and provide the same function must be provided with same alternative text.
• Elements with same function are named & labelled consistently.
• Use icons/images that are consistent. For example print, twitter, Facebook etc.
• Images will have different meaning in different context, so will need different alternative text depending on the context.

References

• Understanding Success Criterion 3.2.4
• G197: Using labels, names, and text alternatives consistently for content that has the same functionality
• F31: Failure of Success Criterion 3.2.4 due to using two different labels for the same function on different Web pages within a set of Web pages