WCAG 2.2 Website Compliance

WCAG were developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) with the purpose of setting a series of internationally shared guidelines governing the standards of web content accessibility to make websites, devices, and content accessible to users with disabilities.

The guidelines offer technical recommendations on how to make website content accessible. The guidelines are also the standard reference for most website accessibility-related legislation like the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) in the US, and the European Web Accessibility Directive. 

The WCAG 2.0 through 2.2 categorize compliance based on three levels: A, AA, and AAA. To conform to the guidelines, it is a requirement that one of these levels should be fully met.

Minimal WCAG compliance (level A): Level A is the minimum level of compliance with criteria involving basic requirements that do not really impact the design or structure of the website. 
Example: All non-text content like images or videos must have a text alternative. Users can navigate the website effectively using only a keyboard.

Acceptable WCAG compliance (level AA): Level AA is usually the level of compliance that is referred to by most accessibility laws that have adopted the WCAG. Level AA requires more commitment and technical intervention but results in a well-functioning, accessible site.
Example: Provide descriptive headings and labels in content. Ensuring that text on a webpage can be resized without assistive technology up to 200 % without loss of content or functionality.

Optimal WCAG compliance (level AAA): Level AAA is the level for optimal conformance, but because of the more stringent and detailed technical requirements, many sites find it difficult to reach this level.
Example: The visual presentation of text and images of text must have a contrast ratio of at least 7:1. Images of text should be avoided or only used for decoration.

With Monsido, you can set the level of compliance you are aiming for and our accessibility tool will scan your site and report on your WCAG status based on it.

Anyone who has an online presence should use the guideline as a standard for web accessibility. This includes policymakers, managers, researchers, educators, marketers, and communicators. Also, most international legislation reference WCAG 2.0 level AA as their minimum web accessibility compliance so many countries around the world have made it a requirement for anyone who owns a website to comply with these guidelines.

To comply with the web accessibility standards, your website content will need to be: 

Perceivable - Perceivability refers to the information and elements of user interface that must be presented in a manner that can be perceived by the senses and that nothing is left undetectable or invisible. To most web users, perceivability is based primarily on visuals, but for those that are unable to, sound and touch are used instead.

Operable - Interactive interface elements such as controls, buttons, navigation and more should be operable. This means that a user must be able to operate interface elements by first identifying them, and for most by physically clicking, tapping, swiping, or rolling or by voice commands or the use of other assistive devices like head wands and eye trackers.

Understandable - This means that technology should be clear and consistent in the presentation and format, with predictable patterns of usage and design. End users should have no issue in comprehending the meaning and purpose of the information presented in the content while discerning the user flow and operation of the interface.

Robust - Robustness is the ability for content to function reliably by a wide variety of technologies, including assistive devices.

Monsido offers recommendations on how to comply with the WCAG and identifies opportunities for places on your site that could be made more accessible.