• Success Criterion 1.1.1
  • Conformance level A

CAPTCHA Challenge With No Text-Based Way to Solve It

1.1.1 — Non-text Content

Scenario

Setting

A podcast app's episode list

What’s wrong

CAPTCHA with no text alternative describing its purpose, or only a single sensory modality offered (visual-only, audio-only).

Example 

<img src="captcha.png" alt="Type the characters you see">
<input type="text" name="captcha_answer">

Why it matters

A blind listener trying to leave a review can't even attempt the CAPTCHA, since the only version offered is an image they can't see.

How to test

Read the CAPTCHA's instructions: it should state its purpose in text and offer at least one non-purely-visual, non-purely-audio method — a single-modality CAPTCHA with no described alternative fails.

How to fix

Offer at least one equivalent non-visual way to pass the same check. A visual-only CAPTCHA blocks blind users entirely.

<img src="captcha.png" alt="Visual CAPTCHA challenge">
<button aria-label="Play audio version of this challenge">Listen instead</button>
<input type="text" name="captcha_answer" aria-label="Enter the characters you see or hear">

Outcome

A blind listener plays the audio challenge, types what they hear, and posts their review unaided.

Who is affected

Blind and low-vision users, and anyone using a screen reader, are shut out of the action entirely, not just inconvenienced.

Learn more

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