What is the WCAG?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a collection of guidelines for making web content more accessible to individuals with disabilities. The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), a body inside the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), created the recommendations. They present a set of standards that online developers, designers, and content creators can use to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities, including users of assistive technology like screen readers.
Why is it important?
The WCAG principles and standards assist in making websites and web content more inclusive and user-friendly for all users, regardless of ability. It is a tool for companies to use to guarantee that their websites comply with web accessibility laws and regulations such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Furthermore, adhering to the WCAG principles contributes to a better user-friendly environment for all users, especially older folks and those using mobile devices. It also contributes to ensuring that web content is cross-platform and device compatible, and that the web is a level playing field for all users.
How is it organized?
WCAG 2.0 consists of four principles, which are organized into 12 guidelines. These guidelines are further broken down into testable success criteria, which provide specific and measurable requirements for accessibility. These principles are closely aligned with the guidelines set forth by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and they provide a high-level overview of what is required to make web content more accessible.
Perceivable
The perceivable principle requires that all web content must be able to be perceived by all users, regardless of their abilities. This includes making text and images available in different formats, such as large text, high contrast, and alternative text for images. It also includes providing captions and transcripts for videos, audio descriptions for visual content, and providing alternative versions of content that can be accessed by assistive technologies.
Operable
The operable principle requires that all web content must be easy to navigate and operate. This includes providing clear and consistent navigation, allowing users to navigate the website using a keyboard, and providing clear and descriptive labels for buttons and form controls. It also includes providing clear and consistent feedback to users and providing the ability to pause, stop, or hide any auto-updating or auto-refreshing content.
Understandable
The understandable principle requires that all web content must be easy to understand and use. This includes using clear and simple language, providing clear and consistent headings and labels, and providing clear instructions and error messages. It also includes providing clear and consistent feedback to users and providing the ability to easily correct any input errors.
Robust
The robust principle requires that web content must be robust enough to work with a wide variety of assistive technologies and devices. This includes using open standards and technologies, such as HTML and CSS, that are widely supported by assistive technologies, and providing alternative versions of content that can be accessed by assistive technologies. It also includes providing clear and consistent feedback to users and providing the ability to easily correct any input errors.
What are the WCAG levels?
WCAG 2.0 has three levels of conformance: A, AA, and AAA. Each level builds on the previous one and includes additional success criteria to improve accessibility. The levels are designed to provide a range of options for conformance, making it possible for organizations to select the level that best meets their needs and resources.
A: The A level is the most basic level of conformance and includes guidelines that are considered essential for accessibility. To reach this level, a website or web application must meet all of the success criteria for the A level. Some examples of success criteria for the A level include:
- Providing alternative text for images and other non-text content
- Ensuring that text can be resized without assistive technology up to 200% without loss of content or functionality
- Providing captioning for multimedia content
- Ensuring that links are unique and distinguishable.
AA: The AA level includes additional guidelines that address common accessibility barriers. To reach this level, a website or web application must meet all of the success criteria for the A level, as well as additional success criteria for the AA level. Some examples of success criteria for the AA level include:
- Ensuring that the contrast ratio between text and the background is at least 4.5:1
- Providing sign language or other forms of alternative auditory content for multimedia content
- Providing extended time limits for content that exceeds a certain duration
- Ensuring that form input fields are labeled.
AAA: The AAA level is the most stringent level of conformance and includes additional guidelines that address more advanced accessibility issues. To reach this level, a website or web application must meet all of the success criteria for the A and AA levels, as well as additional success criteria for the AAA level. Some examples of success criteria for the AAA level include:
- Ensuring that the contrast ratio between text and the background is at least 7:1
- Providing extended sign language or other forms of alternative auditory content for multimedia content
- Providing extended time limits for all content
- Providing additional visual and auditory indicators for form input fields.
It’s worth noting that achieving a specific level of WCAG conformance is not a requirement, some organizations might choose to achieve only level A or only level AA for example, but having an understanding of the different levels and the guidelines associated with each, help organizations to make an informed decision. Also, Keep in mind that compliance with WCAG does not guarantee full accessibility for every person with a disability, as accessibility needs can vary greatly.
Who should care about it?
WCAG is relevant for all web developers, designers, and content providers, as well as organizations and governments that operate websites or web applications. It is also relevant for people with impairments and organizations that campaign for accessibility. Furthermore, WCAG can help enterprises and governments with legal compliance because different countries and regions have laws, regulations, and standards that refer to WCAG.