Digital Accessibility Basics: The POUR Principles

The POUR principles describe the foundational concepts behind digital accessibility. They form the basis of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), the internationally recognized standards referenced in federal accessibility regulations. These principles focus on what accessible content is intended to achieve, rather than outlining technical steps or checklist items.

This page is not a technical implementation guide. Instead, it provides a conceptual framework to help campus partners understand why specific accessibility practices matter. For detailed, task-based guidance, see UNI’s Digital Accessibility Basics and Best Practice Guide.

Audience

Anyone who creates, maintains, manages, or selects digital content, systems, or technology on behalf of the University of Northern Iowa. The POUR principles provide a foundation for understanding how accessible digital content is designed and evaluated.

What to Focus On

Accessible digital content should be:

Perceivable
Operable
Understandable
Robust

These principles form the foundation of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and apply across websites, documents, video, applications, and instructional materials.

Perceivable

Provide text alternatives for non-text content
Provide captions and other alternatives for multimedia.
Ensure content can be presented in different ways, including through assistive technologies, without losing meaning
Make it easier for users to see and hear content

Operable

Make all functionality available from a keyboard
Provide enough time for users to read and use content
Avoid content that may cause seizures or physical reactions
Help users navigate and find content
Make it easier to use inputs other than keyboard

Understandable

Make text readable and understandable
Make content appear and operate in predictable ways
Help users avoid and correct mistakes

Robust

Maximize compatibility with current and future user tools

Learn More

See WCAG at a Glance for a concise overview of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 and 2.2.