Accessibility glossary

a11y

A numeronym for “accessibility” — the letter a, 11 letters, then y — used widely in the web community.

“a11y” is shorthand for accessibility, formed the same way as i18n (internationalization) and l10n (localization): the first and last letters with the count of omitted letters between them.

It’s pronounced “a-eleven-y” or just “ally,” and you’ll see it in hashtags, tool names, and team channels. It refers to making digital products usable by people with disabilities.

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

What does a11y mean?
A numeronym for “accessibility” — the letter a, 11 letters, then y — used widely in the web community.

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