POUR
POUR (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust) is a practical map for organizing accessibility investigations.
Overview
POUR is the organizational structure behind WCAG. It helps you locate where an issue belongs before selecting specific criteria.
Why It Matters
Without a clear map, teams miss issue classes and over-focus on what automated tools happen to detect.
What to Look For
- Perceivable: Is important content presented in ways users can perceive?
- Operable: Can users navigate and operate controls with available input methods?
- Understandable: Are instructions, behavior, and errors predictable and clear?
- Robust: Is content structured for compatibility across assistive technologies?
Standards & Guidance
- POUR principles are conceptual groupings, not pass/fail checks on their own.
- Evidence is established at success-criterion level, then interpreted in context.