WCAG

WCAG is the acronym for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

These guidelines serve as a widely accepted standard for website accessibility, and they are organized into three levels of conformance, each with progressively stricter criteria:

Level A – This is the most basic level of accessibility and represents the minimum requirements for making a website usable by individuals with disabilities. Compliance with Level A guidelines ensures that the most significant barriers are addressed, but it may not be sufficient for providing a fully accessible user experience.
Level AA – This level builds upon Level A, adding more stringent requirements to address a broader range of accessibility issues. Level AA conformance is considered the industry standard for most websites, as it strikes a balance between accessibility and implementation complexity. Compliance with Level AA guidelines typically results in a website that is more accessible to a wider range of users with disabilities.
Level AAA – This is the highest level of accessibility and includes the most comprehensive set of criteria. Achieving Level AAA conformance is challenging and may not be feasible for all websites, as it can require significant changes to design and functionality. Level AAA guidelines are aimed at providing the most accessible user experience possible, but meeting all of these criteria is not always necessary or practical for every website.

It is essential to consider the target audience and the nature of a website when determining which WCAG level to strive for. Meeting the appropriate WCAG level will help ensure a website is accessible to users with disabilities and complies with relevant regulations, such as the ADA. Here is a breakdown of some of the key requirements from the WCAG, grouped by their principles:

Perceivable

Text alternatives: Provide text alternatives (e.g., alt text) for non-text content, such as images, to ensure that users with visual impairments can access the information through screen readers.
Time-based media: Offer captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions for multimedia content like videos and audio recordings.
Adaptable: Create content that can be presented in different ways without losing its meaning, such as through simple layouts and semantic HTML elements.
Distinguishable: Ensure that text is easily readable with sufficient color contrast, adjustable text size, and clear fonts, to accommodate users with visual impairments.

Operable

Keyboard accessibility: Make all functionality accessible through a keyboard, without requiring a mouse, so that users with mobility impairments can navigate the website.
Enough time: Provide users with sufficient time to read and interact with the content, allowing for adjustable time limits and pausing mechanisms.
Seizures and physical reactions: Design content without elements that might cause seizures or other physical reactions, such as avoiding flashing content that exceeds certain thresholds.
Navigable: Organize content with clear headings, labels, and consistent navigation elements to help users find their way around the website.

Understandable

Readable: Use clear, concise language and provide explanations for complex content, to ensure that users with cognitive impairments can understand the information.
Predictable: Maintain consistent design and functionality throughout the website, so that users can easily anticipate how the interface will behave.
Input assistance: Offer guidance and error prevention mechanisms, such as form validation and suggestions, to help users avoid and correct mistakes.

Robust

Compatibility: Develop content that is compatible with a wide range of user agents, devices, and assistive technologies, using well-structured and valid code.
Future-proofing: Keep up-to-date with evolving technologies and best practices to ensure that the website remains accessible as technology advances.

While this is not an exhaustive list of all WCAG requirements, it provides an overview of key aspects to consider when designing and developing accessible websites. It is important to strive for compliance with the relevant WCAG level (A, AA, or AAA) to ensure that a website meets ADA requirements and is accessible to users with disabilities.