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UMDDesign System

Alerts

Content Alert

Content Alerts show messaging about specific content on a page. They are context specific and can be used to draw attention to information about a common question or to provide reminders or announcements. 

alert blueprint

Variations

Standard alert communicates general pressing information to the public.

Accessibility

Keyboard Accessible

Users are able to use the keyboard to navigate through focusable content including headline with a link and call to action link, using the ‘Tab’ key to navigate/focus and ‘Enter’ or ‘Spacebar’ to activate, close the alert, and focus can be moved away from the component. WCAG 2.1.1: KeyboardWCAG 2.1.2: No Keyboard Trap This navigation is done in sequential and logical order. WCAG 2.4.3: Focus Order

Hover and Focus State

A headline with a link and call to action link each have distinctive styling on hover/focus to provide a visual cue to the user that the element is focused and there is an action that can be taken. WCAG 1.4.13: Content on hover or focus

Color Contrast

A contrast ratio of at least 4:5:1 between text and background color is ensured to enhance readability. WCAG 1.4.3: Contrast (minimum)

Responsive

The component scales in relation to the to the screen size to prevent truncating content and reflows properly when zoomed up to 200% without horizontal scrolling WCAG 1.4.10: Reflow

Icon

An icon should be used alongside color as an additional indicator of urgency. This ensures that the alert remains identifiable to users with color vision deficiencies WCAG 1.4.1: Use of ColorWCAG 1.1.1: Non-text Content

Title

Use a clear and concise title that describes the alert content. WCAG 2.4.6: Headings and Labels

Body Text

Write body text in clear and simple language. Avoid jargon, idioms, or complex language structures. WCAG: 3.1.5: Reading Level Use descriptive link text for any inline links within the alert. The link text should clearly indicate the destination or action. WCAG 2.4.4: Link Purpose (In Context) 

Link

Use effective text to describe what the link is and where it is taking the user. This should be clear, descriptive text that conveys the link content succinctly and the purpose and destination of the link. WCAG 2.4.9: Link Purpose (Link Only)

  • Example of effective text (preferred): Learn more about Innovate Maryland 
  • Example of generic text (avoid): Learn more

Disclaimer: If the visible link text is not sufficiently descriptive, you can use an aria-label attribute to provide additional context for screen reader users. The aria-label should clearly describe the link's purpose and destination.

  • If the visible text is not necessary for screen readers (e.g., it's redundant or less descriptive), consider using aria-hidden="true" on the visible text element. This ensures that screen readers will prioritize the aria-label.

Example with aria-label and aria-hidden:

<a href="https://example.com/innovate-maryland" aria-label="Learn more about Innovate Maryland">  <span aria-hidden="true">Learn more</span> </a> 

This ensures that the link is accessible while maintaining concise visible text.

Content Recommendations

For longer content, use a rich text component with appropriate headline styles.

Recommended character limits

Title

60 characters (120 max)

Text Block

250 characters (500 max)

Layout

The content alert can display anywhere on a page, but it is recommended to put it near an important action step or item that needs explanation.

Open and View the Alert Figma file

Guidelines

  • Alerts should be placed in the content areas of pages
  • Alerts must have the ability to close
  • Alerts can be dismissed based on the length of time you want a user to see it