WCAG 2.1 – Criterion 3.3.5 – Help (Level AAA)

Does WCAG help connect? Definitely! All WCAG criteria aim to make it easier for us to navigate the Internet. Among them, there is one special criterion that directly talks about help!

It is WCAG 3.3.5 Help at level AAA

The principle is that web content creators should provide the necessary help to the user.

How can help be provided to internet users?

• Including detailed instructions – for example, how to fill out a form or complete a process.
• Enabling a conversation or contact with an “assistant”. Who can this assistant be? Does it have to be a person? No. It can be a recording (remember other audio and video criteria – Guideline 1.2), or a chat! However, remember that chats are one of the harder elements to implement accessibly.
• Posting the most common user questions with answers (known as FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions).
• Placing a “help” link on every subpage – even in the navigation or footer of the site.
• Implementing proper validation and error correction suggestions if the site contains forms.

These techniques help everyone, not just people with disabilities or older people. Remember, accessibility is for ALL of us.