Techniques for WCAG 2.0

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# F31: Failure of Success Criterion 3.2.4 due to using two different labels for the same function on different Web pages within a set of Web pages

## Applicability

Applies to all technologies.

This failure relates to:

- Success Criterion 3.2.4 (Consistent Identification)
  - How to Meet 3.2.4 (Consistent Identification)
  - Understanding Success Criterion 3.2.4 (Consistent Identification)

## Description

Components that have the same function in different Web pages are more easily recognized if they are labeled consistently. If the naming is not consistent, some users may get confused.

Note: Text alternatives that are "consistent" are not always "identical." For instance, you may have an graphical arrow at the bottom of a Web page that links to the next Web page. The text alternative may say "Go to page 4." Naturally, it would not be appropriate to repeat this exact text alternative on the next Web page. It would be more appropriate to say "Go to page 5". Although these text alternatives would not be identical, they would be consistent, and therefore would not be failures for this Success Criterion.

## Examples

### Failure Example 1:

One of the most common examples of using inconsistent labels for components with the same function is to use a button that says "search" in one page and to use a button that says "find" on another page when they both serve the identical function.

### Failure Example 2:

An online authoring tool that uses a button with "Save page" on one page and "Save" on another page, in both cases for the same function.

## Resources

No resources available for this technique.

## Related Techniques

(none currently listed)

## Tests

### Procedure

1. In a set of Web pages, find components with the same function that are repeated in multiple Web pages.

2. For each component with the same function found in step #1, check that the naming is consistent.

### Expected Results

If step #2 is false then this failure condition applies and content fails the Success Criterion.

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