In an increasingly digital world, making your website accessible to everyone is essential for reaching a broader audience and fostering inclusivity. Shockingly, over 96% of the world’s top one million web pages are not accessible. This means less than 4% of the most popular websites are capitalizing on the disability market, which is largely underserved and growing (Source: WebAIM). The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) serve as the gold standard for web accessibility, providing a framework to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. This post aims to provide you with the ultimate checklist for achieving WCAG compliance, helping you create a more inclusive online experience.
Understanding WCAG
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of international standards designed to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), these guidelines are continually evolving to address the changing landscape of technology and user needs.
Evolution of WCAG
- WCAG 2.0: Released in 2008, this version established a solid foundation for web accessibility, introducing principles and guidelines that focused on making web content more perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
- WCAG 2.1: Released in 2018, this update expanded upon WCAG 2.0 by adding new success criteria to address the needs of users with cognitive and learning disabilities, as well as those with low vision. It also included guidelines for mobile accessibility, reflecting the growing use of mobile devices for internet access.
- WCAG 2.2: Released on October 5, 2023, as a W3C Recommendation, this version builds upon previous guidelines by adding nine new success criteria. These additions primarily focus on improving accessibility for people with cognitive or learning disabilities, mobile device users, and e-reader users. The update maintains the same structure and principles while expanding coverage to address evolving digital accessibility needs.
Levels of Conformance
WCAG defines three levels of conformance to help organizations understand the extent to which they meet accessibility standards:
- Level A (Minimum): This is the most basic level of accessibility. Failing to meet Level A criteria means that some users will be unable to access content.
- Level AA (Mid Range): This level addresses the biggest and most common barriers for users. Meeting Level AA criteria is often considered the standard for accessibility compliance.
- Level AAA (Highest): This is the highest level of conformance, providing the most comprehensive accessibility. However, it may not be feasible for all content to meet this level, and some organizations may find it challenging to achieve
Ultimate WCAG Compliance Checklist
The WCAG guidelines are built upon four fundamental principles known as POUR: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. Each principle addresses a different aspect of accessibility, ensuring that all users can access and interact with web content effectively. Below is a detailed checklist based on these principles.
#1 Perceivable
| Checklist Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Text Alternatives | Ensure all non-text content, such as images and icons, has descriptive alt text that conveys the same information or function. This allows users who rely on screen readers to understand the content. |
| Captions and Transcripts | Provide captions for all video content and transcripts for audio content. This ensures that users with hearing impairments can access the information presented in multimedia formats. Captions should be synchronized with the audio to provide context. |
| Adaptable Content | Use proper HTML markup to allow content to be presented in different ways without losing information or structure. This includes using headings, lists, and tables appropriately to help users navigate and understand the content. |
| Color Contrast | Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors to make content readable for users with visual impairments. Aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text to enhance readability. |
#2 Operable
| Checklist Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Keyboard Accessibility | Ensure that all interactive elements, such as buttons, links, and form fields, can be accessed and operated using a keyboard alone. This is crucial for users who cannot use a mouse due to mobility impairments. |
| Navigation | Provide clear and consistent navigation throughout your site. Use descriptive link text and ensure that users can easily find their way around, including a logical structure for menus and submenus. |
| Timing Adjustments | Allow users to adjust time limits on content where applicable. For example, if a user is required to complete a task within a certain timeframe, provide options to extend that time to accommodate different user needs. |
| Avoid Content that Causes Seizures | Ensure that content does not contain flashes or animations that could trigger seizures in users with photosensitive epilepsy. Avoid using content that flashes more than three times in any one second period. |
#3 Understandable
| Checklist Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Readable Text | Use clear and simple language to make your content easy to read and understand. Avoid jargon and complex sentences, and consider using tools to assess readability levels. |
| Consistent Navigation | Maintain a consistent layout and navigation structure across all pages. This helps users predict where to find information and enhances their overall experience on your site. |
| Input Assistance | Provide clear instructions for filling out forms, including examples of expected input. Use inline validation to guide users as they complete forms, and ensure that error messages are specific and helpful. |
#4 Robust
| Checklist Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Compatible with Assistive Technologies | Ensure that your website works well with current and future user agents, including browsers and assistive technologies like screen readers. Regularly test your site with various tools to ensure compatibility. |
| Proper Use of HTML and ARIA Roles | Use semantic HTML elements and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles to enhance accessibility. This helps assistive technologies interpret the content correctly and provides additional context for users. |
| Regular Testing | Continuously test your website for accessibility compliance using automated tools and manual testing with real users. Regular audits can help identify new issues as content and technology evolve. |
Benefits of WCAG Compliance
Achieving WCAG compliance is not just about meeting legal requirements; it’s about creating an inclusive digital environment where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can access and benefit from your content. Here are several key reasons why WCAG compliance is crucial for your website:
Wider Audience Reach
By making your website accessible, you open the door to a significant portion of the population. With over 1 billion people living with disabilities (Source: World Health Organization), ensuring your site is usable for them means tapping into a vast and often underserved market. This not only enhances your user base but also fosters a more inclusive society.
Legal Compliance
Many countries have laws and regulations requiring websites to be accessible. Failing to comply can lead to legal repercussions, including lawsuits and fines. By prioritizing accessibility and adhering to WCAG standards, you not only protect your business from potential legal issues but also demonstrate your commitment to social responsibility.
Positive Brand Image
Companies that prioritize accessibility are often viewed more favorably by consumers. Demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity can enhance your brand’s reputation, foster customer loyalty, and attract a diverse audience. In today’s socially conscious market, consumers are increasingly choosing to support brands that align with their values.
Financial Performance
Organizations that improve their inclusion of persons with disabilities are four times more likely to achieve superior shareholder returns compared to their peers (Source: Accenture). This statistic underscores the financial benefits of investing in accessibility, making it a smart business decision.
Streamlined Compliance with Other Standards
Most of the time, by staying compliant with WCAG, you will also be compliant with other accessibility standards. This means that investing in WCAG compliance can simplify your efforts to meet various legal and regulatory requirements, saving you time and resources in the long run.
Real-World Examples
At SolDevelo, we have successfully performed accessibility audits for a variety of projects, including OpenIMIS, OpenLMIS, and OpenMRS. These case studies demonstrate our dedication to enhancing digital inclusivity and ensuring that all users can access vital services.
The accessibility issues we’ve discussed are just a few examples of the challenges many websites face. If you want to see how SolDevelo proceeds with audits to comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA, check out our case studies to discover the positive impact of our audits:
- Improving inclusivity: SolDevelo’s accessibility audit of openIMIS
- Accessibility matters: SolDevelo’s audit of OpenLMIS
- Bridging the digital divide: Advancing digital healthcare accessibility in OpenMRS
