• Success Criterion 2.4.6
  • Conformance level AA

Button Labeled ‘OK’ on a Destructive, Irreversible Action

2.4.6 — Headings and Labels

Scenario

Setting

A nonprofit's donation form

What’s wrong

Button labels not describing action ("OK" for destructive delete confirmation).

Example 

<div role="dialog">
  <p>This will permanently stop your monthly donation.</p>
  <button>Cancel</button>
  <button onclick="deleteRecurringDonation()">OK</button>
</div>

Why it matters

A donor under time pressure can't tell from OK alone that clicking it permanently ends their giving plan.

How to test

Read button labels like 'OK' on a destructive action (e.g., delete confirmation): if it doesn't describe the actual consequence, it fails.

How to fix

Destructive actions need a label naming the specific consequence, never a generic acknowledgment word.

<div role="dialog">
  <p>This will permanently stop your monthly donation.</p>
  <button>Keep donating</button>
  <button onclick="deleteRecurringDonation()">Stop recurring donation</button>
</div>

Outcome

A donor reads Stop recurring donation and confirms only when they truly mean to cancel.

Who is affected

Screen reader and cognitive-disability users rely on button labels to understand consequences, and OK hides what's about to happen.

Learn more

Related scenarios