{"id":6869,"date":"2024-02-20T08:57:22","date_gmt":"2024-02-20T13:57:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=6869"},"modified":"2025-12-11T19:12:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T00:12:54","slug":"accessibility-fast","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/chapter\/accessibility-fast\/","title":{"raw":"Accessibility FAST","rendered":"Accessibility FAST"},"content":{"raw":"There are three frameworks to use to remember the key points of digital accessibility: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.worcestershire.gov.uk\/digital-worcestershire\/sculpt-accessibility\">SCULPT<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/digitallearning\/accessibility\/\">THRIVES<\/a>, and FAST.\r\n[columns count=2] <b>SCULPT <\/b>reminds authors to check:\r\n<strong>S<\/strong>tructure\r\n<strong>C<\/strong>olour and Contrast\r\n<strong>U<\/strong>se of images\r\n<strong>L<\/strong>inks\r\n<strong>P<\/strong>lain English\r\n<strong>T<\/strong>ables\r\n\r\n<b>THRIVES<\/b>\u00a0reminds authors to focus on:\r\n<strong>T<\/strong>ables\r\n<strong>H<\/strong>yperlinks\r\n<strong>R<\/strong>ecordings\r\n<strong>I<\/strong>nclusive font\r\n<strong>V<\/strong>isuals\r\n<strong>E<\/strong>xamine\r\n<strong>S<\/strong>tructure[\/columns]\r\n\r\nThe above frameworks are useful methods to remember key accessibility concerns. To focus on the important areas of digital accessibility this guide uses the [pb_glossary id=\"1907\"]FAST[\/pb_glossary] approach to organize major accessibility fundamentals.\r\n\r\n<strong>FAST<\/strong> emphasizes:\r\n<strong>F<\/strong>unction\r\n<strong>A<\/strong>ppearance\r\n<strong>S<\/strong>tructure\r\n<strong>T<\/strong>ext equivalents\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Function<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n\r\nFunction means material:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Conveys information effectively in [pb_glossary id=\"1882\"]plain language[\/pb_glossary] appropriate to audience.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Is [pb_glossary id=\"1345\"]responsive[\/pb_glossary] and customizable (Word documents, [pb_glossary id=\"1172\"]EPUB[\/pb_glossary], and HTML are much more accessible than [pb_glossary id=\"1171\"]PDF[\/pb_glossary]).\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Can be accessed by mouse, keyboard, on a phone, etc.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Can be read aloud, zoomed in, viewed in dark\/night mode.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Has no media that automatically plays.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>No content flashes more than 3 times per second.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Appearance<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n\r\nAppearance means content:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Has readable fonts.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Has sufficient [pb_glossary id=\"1168\"]colour contrast[\/pb_glossary].<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Does not rely on visual style, such as colour, alone to distinguish or emphasize.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Structure<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n\r\nStructure ensures content has:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Visual and coded [pb_glossary id=\"1305\"]structure[\/pb_glossary], including [pb_glossary id=\"1105\"]headings[\/pb_glossary] (not just larger, bold font), lists, and titles.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>[pb_glossary id=\"2026\"]Tables[\/pb_glossary] with headers and logical order.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Left-justified text (for languages that read left to right).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Text Equivalents<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n\r\nIncluding text equivalents is essential for accessibility. Ensure:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Images have equivalent descriptions provided via adjacent text, [pb_glossary id=\"9995\"]figure captions[\/pb_glossary], or [pb_glossary id=\"1161\"]alternative text[\/pb_glossary] or are marked as decorative where applicable<\/li>\r\n \t<li>[pb_glossary id=\"1169\"]Links [\/pb_glossary] are presented as descriptive, visually distinct, linked text not bare URLs.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Charts have linked or adjacent table data.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Videos have [pb_glossary id=\"1164\"]closed captions[\/pb_glossary]<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Audio has [pb_glossary id=\"1884\"]transcripts[\/pb_glossary]<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\nIn addition, use available accessibility tools and resources, including:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>[pb_glossary id=\"2028\"]Templates[\/pb_glossary]<\/li>\r\n \t<li>[pb_glossary id=\"1890\"]Accessibility checkers[\/pb_glossary] and<\/li>\r\n \t<li>This Pressbook\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>This resource is organized along the FAST framework. The details of FAST are not meant to be memorized, nor is the material in this book. Bookmark this Pressbook to use as a guide when creating content.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","rendered":"<p>There are three frameworks to use to remember the key points of digital accessibility: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.worcestershire.gov.uk\/digital-worcestershire\/sculpt-accessibility\">SCULPT<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/digitallearning\/accessibility\/\">THRIVES<\/a>, and FAST.<\/p>\n<div class=\"twocolumn\">\n<p><b>SCULPT <\/b>reminds authors to check:<br \/>\n<strong>S<\/strong>tructure<br \/>\n<strong>C<\/strong>olour and Contrast<br \/>\n<strong>U<\/strong>se of images<br \/>\n<strong>L<\/strong>inks<br \/>\n<strong>P<\/strong>lain English<br \/>\n<strong>T<\/strong>ables<\/p>\n<p><b>THRIVES<\/b>\u00a0reminds authors to focus on:<br \/>\n<strong>T<\/strong>ables<br \/>\n<strong>H<\/strong>yperlinks<br \/>\n<strong>R<\/strong>ecordings<br \/>\n<strong>I<\/strong>nclusive font<br \/>\n<strong>V<\/strong>isuals<br \/>\n<strong>E<\/strong>xamine<br \/>\n<strong>S<\/strong>tructure<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The above frameworks are useful methods to remember key accessibility concerns. To focus on the important areas of digital accessibility this guide uses the <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_6869_1907\">FAST<\/a> approach to organize major accessibility fundamentals.<\/p>\n<p><strong>FAST<\/strong> emphasizes:<br \/>\n<strong>F<\/strong>unction<br \/>\n<strong>A<\/strong>ppearance<br \/>\n<strong>S<\/strong>tructure<br \/>\n<strong>T<\/strong>ext equivalents<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Function<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<p>Function means material:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Conveys information effectively in <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_6869_1882\">plain language<\/a> appropriate to audience.<\/li>\n<li>Is <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_6869_1345\">responsive<\/a> and customizable (Word documents, <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_6869_1172\">EPUB<\/a>, and HTML are much more accessible than <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_6869_1171\">PDF<\/a>).\n<ul>\n<li>Can be accessed by mouse, keyboard, on a phone, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Can be read aloud, zoomed in, viewed in dark\/night mode.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Has no media that automatically plays.<\/li>\n<li>No content flashes more than 3 times per second.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Appearance<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<p>Appearance means content:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Has readable fonts.<\/li>\n<li>Has sufficient <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_6869_1168\">colour contrast<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Does not rely on visual style, such as colour, alone to distinguish or emphasize.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Structure<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<p>Structure ensures content has:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Visual and coded <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_6869_1305\">structure<\/a>, including <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_6869_1105\">headings<\/a> (not just larger, bold font), lists, and titles.<\/li>\n<li><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_6869_2026\">Tables<\/a> with headers and logical order.<\/li>\n<li>Left-justified text (for languages that read left to right).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Text Equivalents<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<p>Including text equivalents is essential for accessibility. Ensure:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Images have equivalent descriptions provided via adjacent text, <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_6869_9995\">figure captions<\/a>, or <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_6869_1161\">alternative text<\/a> or are marked as decorative where applicable<\/li>\n<li><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_6869_1169\">Links <\/a> are presented as descriptive, visually distinct, linked text not bare URLs.<\/li>\n<li>Charts have linked or adjacent table data.<\/li>\n<li>Videos have <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_6869_1164\">closed captions<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Audio has <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_6869_1884\">transcripts<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In addition, use available accessibility tools and resources, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_6869_2028\">Templates<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_6869_1890\">Accessibility checkers<\/a> and<\/li>\n<li>This Pressbook\n<ul>\n<li>This resource is organized along the FAST framework. The details of FAST are not meant to be memorized, nor is the material in this book. Bookmark this Pressbook to use as a guide when creating content.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"glossary\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\" id=\"definition\">definition<\/span><template id=\"term_6869_1907\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_6869_1907\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>A framework for assessing the accessibility of content, by focusing on key criteria, including:<\/p>\n<p>Function<\/p>\n<p>Appearance<\/p>\n<p>Structure<\/p>\n<p>Text Equivalents<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_6869_1882\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_6869_1882\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Language that is easily understood by the intended audience. Write for the audience using clear, simple language with focus on important information. Organize and group content.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_6869_1345\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_6869_1345\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Responsive content automatically adapts to the size of the user's display (phone, laptop, tablet, etc.)<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_6869_1172\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_6869_1172\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Most common ebook file format. A very customizable and accessible format.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_6869_1171\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_6869_1171\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Portable Document Format. One of the more difficult format to make accessible. Lacks customization options for readers (font customization, reflow, colour options, etc.)<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_6869_1168\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_6869_1168\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Colour contrast is the difference in saturation, brightness, and pigment of different elements relative to one another. A contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 between text and background is required by common accessibility standards.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_6869_1305\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_6869_1305\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>The use of code (HTML attributes, PDF tags, XML, etc.) to distinguish content by meaning, not appearance. For example, a &lt;h1&gt; heading tag creates both a visual and coded navigation waypoint whereas increasing the font size and bolding simply makes regular text appear larger.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_6869_1105\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_6869_1105\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Headings are text used to organize a document. Headings are section and subsection titles used to logically separate content, build and show relationships between ideas, and explain the development of concepts. Headings must be hierarchical, not skip a level, and be semantically programmed, not merely cosmetic.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_6869_2026\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_6869_2026\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Information presented in a grid format of rows and columns, generally to show a relationship between sets of data<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_6869_9995\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_6869_9995\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>An image caption is text that provides supplemental context, explanation, or commentary about an image. Image captions generally appear below the image. Image captions may include comprehensive details as well as supplemental information related to the image, such as citations, photo attribution, cultural context, historical or scientific information about the subject, complex data from charts, etc. Unlike alternative text, figure captions have no length limit. Figure captions are accessible and available to all users, whereas alt text is only available to assistive technology.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_6869_1161\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_6869_1161\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Alternative text is a text equivalent of graphics in a document or webpage. Alternative text is coded to be hidden visually, but read to a screen reader user.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_6869_1169\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_6869_1169\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Linked text to another document or part of document that the user can follow by selecting. Effective hyperlink text should make sense independent of the content around it.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_6869_1164\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_6869_1164\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>A text equivalent of audio content in a video, displayed synchronously. Closed captions are toggled on or off by viewers, as opposed to open captions that are burned into the video and always displayed.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_6869_1884\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_6869_1884\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Transcription is the process of converting audio into written text. A transcript is a written record of all audio in media. Captions are synced to the content.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_6869_2028\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_6869_2028\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Preset document or file format, used for consistency without having to recreate each time<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_6869_1890\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_6869_1890\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Automated tools built-in to many platforms that check for common accessibility issues. Are not to be considered a guarantee of accessibility.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><\/div>","protected":false},"author":1655,"menu_order":1,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-6869","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":6454,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/6869","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1655"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/6869\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10077,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/6869\/revisions\/10077"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/6454"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/6869\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6869"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=6869"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=6869"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/accessibilityhandbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=6869"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}