Progress - Methodology
About the Method
The Solid Foundations Method was applied, which includes checking home pages and, when necessary, key subpages (typical for the nature of the service, e.g. contact) according to 14 criteria covering approximately 50% of WCAG 2.1 AA requirements. Only elements without which real accessibility cannot be discussed.
The method is preliminary in nature. It does not replace a full audit but allows reliable determination of whether a given site meets basic accessibility requirements. The limited scope of the study (covering selected criteria and views) is a deliberate approach and results from the analysis assumptions: the goal is quick but reliable verification of key accessibility elements.
Solid Foundation Method Criteria
- Alternative text for graphic elements
- Form field labels
- Heading structure
- Use of lists
- Text contrast
- Contrast of graphic elements
- Page title
- Link clarity
- Keyboard navigation and visible focus
- Page language
- Skip links (direct access)
- Search function
- Use of colour
- Screen responsiveness
Description of Criteria in Expert Analysis
In the expert evaluation, a maximum of24 pointscould be achieved.
Alternative Text for Graphic Elements
- 0 Major omissions
- 1 Partial absence
- 1 No significant issues
Alternative text for graphic elements is important for several reasons.
It primarily ensures access to information for users with visual impairments who rely on assistive technologies such as screen readers.
It also provides a fallback when images cannot be displayed due to errors, slow connections, or user settings.
Additionally, alternative text supports image indexing and discoverability in search engines.
Alternative descriptions should beclear and concise yet contain all information necessary to understand the meaning and function of the image. They shouldavoid repetitionof surrounding text or captions.
Form Field Labels
- 0 Major omissions
- 1 Partial absence
- 2 No significant issues
Form field labels make it easier and more intuitive for users to complete forms. They allow users to quickly identify what type of information should be entered in each field — a crucial feature for those using screen readers.
Without proper labels, such users may not know what is expected in each field.
Labels should also remainvisible to all users, regardless of screen size, helping users always stay oriented within the form.
Heading Structure
- 0 Major omissions
- 1 Present but incorrect structure
- 2 Correct
Headings are key to organising content on a website. A proper heading hierarchy creates a coherent, logical structure that reflects the purpose and meaning of each section.
It enables users to navigate the page more easily, locate content quickly, and understand how different parts relate to each other.
Well-structured headings also improveusability and accessibilityfor users with varying needs — including those using screen readers, people with dyslexia, older users, and those with limited digital literacy.
Additionally, a correct heading structure canenhance SEO performance.
Use of Lists
- 0 Major omissions
- 1 Poor use
- 2 Correct
Lists (bulleted, numbered, or definition lists) help present information in a structured and easy-to-read way, improving clarity and comprehension.
They visually group related elements and can also make navigation more efficient for screen reader users, who can scan grouped links or items more effectively.
Text Contrast
- 0 Mostly incorrect
- 1 Some elements with low contrast
- 2 Correct
Adequate text contrast against its background helps users distinguish content and navigate pages more easily, regardless of their visual abilities.
The contrast ratio should be at least4.5:1for normal text.
Good contrast also improves readability under various lighting conditions and enhances theoverall aesthetics and qualityof the website.
Contrast of Graphic Elements
- 0 Mostly incorrect
- 1 Some elements with low contrast
- 2 Correct
Interactive graphic elements (e.g. buttons, form field borders, charts, icons) must be visually distinct from surrounding content.
Low contrast may make them difficult or impossible to perceive for some users, reducing usability and accessibility.
Theminimum contrast ratiofor such elements should be3:1.
Page Title
- 0 Clear
- 1 Ambiguous
The page title is a key element that helps users identify the content and purpose of a page.
It appears in the browser tab, bookmarks, history, and search engine results.
For screen reader users, it’s thefirst piece of information announcedwhen a page loads.
A good title should beunique for each subpage, clearly describe its topic, and typically follow the format[Page name] - [Organisation name].
Link Clarity
- 0 Major omissions
- 1 Some unclear links
- 2 Clear
Clear and descriptive link text helps users understand where a link leads and what to expect after clicking.
This is especially important for screen reader users, who often navigate by tabbing through links only, without surrounding context.
Unclear or vague links can mislead or discourage users and may also negatively affectSEO.
Keyboard Navigation and Focus Visibility
- 0 Major omissions
- 1 Some elements inaccessible
- 2 Correct
Keyboard accessibility ensures that all interactive elements (links, buttons, forms, etc.) can be operatedwithout a mouse or touch input.
Visible focus indicators help users know which element is currently active — often shown by a border or colour change.
This is particularly important for users with visual or cognitive impairments, or those navigating without a mouse.
Proper keyboard navigation is also beneficial in various contexts, such as when a device lacks a functional touchpad or touchscreen.
Page Language
- 0 Missing or incorrect
- 1 Correct
Specifying the page language in the website’s code helps assistive technologies, such as screen readers or translation tools, correctly interpret and pronounce text.
If the language is undefined or incorrect, content may becomeincomprehensibleto some users.
When multiple languages are used, each section should be correctly marked.
Skip Links (Direct Access)
- 0 Missing or incorrect
- 1 Correct
Skip links allow users tobypass repetitive sections(like navigation menus or headers) and jump directly to the main content.
They are crucial for screen reader users and those navigating via keyboard, who would otherwise have to tab through every element repeatedly.
Without skip links, navigation can become frustrating and time-consuming.
Search Function
- 0 Missing or non-functional
- 1 Present and functional
A search feature enables users tofind information quickly, without browsing the entire website.
It’s particularly valuable for users of assistive technologies and mobile devices.
A search function should bekeyboard-accessible, clearly labelled, and provide understandable instructions and error messages.
Use of Colour
- 0 Major omissions
- 1 Some elements distinguished by colour only
- 2 Correct
Colour must not be thesole means of conveying informationor distinguishing visual elements.
Users with colour vision deficiencies (e.g. protanopia, deuteranopia, tritanopia) may be unable to interpret colour-based cues.
Other visual indicators — such as text, symbols, or patterns — should be provided.
Similarly, links and highlights should includenon-colour-based styling(e.g. underlines or bold text) to ensure clarity.
This also supports users relying onhigh-contrast modesenforced by browsers or operating systems.
Screen Responsiveness
- 0 Major issues
- 1 Minor usability problems
- 2 Correct
Responsive design ensures that contentadapts to various screen sizes, particularly on mobile devices.
Users should be able to view content comfortably without horizontal scrolling.
Lack of responsiveness may hinder readability, make links harder to select, and reduce the overall usability and accessibility of the site.