What is WCAG?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are technical standards developed by the W3C that define how to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. WCAG 2.1, released in 2018, is the current standard most organizations aim to meet.
The Four Principles (POUR)
WCAG is organized around four core principles. Content must be:
Perceivable
Users must be able to perceive the information being presented. This includes text alternatives for images, captions for videos, and sufficient color contrast.
Operable
Users must be able to operate the interface. This means keyboard accessibility, enough time to read content, and no content that causes seizures.
Understandable
Users must be able to understand the information and operation. This includes readable text, predictable navigation, and help with input errors.
Robust
Content must be robust enough to work with current and future technologies, including assistive technologies like screen readers.
Conformance Levels
WCAG defines three levels of conformance:
Level A (Minimum)
The most basic web accessibility features. Without meeting Level A, some users will find it impossible to use your site.
Level AA (Standard)
The standard most organizations aim for. Addresses the biggest and most common barriers for disabled users. This is what most laws and regulations reference.
Level AAA (Enhanced)
The highest level of accessibility. Not required for entire sites as some content cannot meet all AAA criteria.
Common WCAG Issues
WebRamp's scanner checks for issues including:
- Missing alt text on images
- Insufficient color contrast
- Missing form labels
- Keyboard navigation issues
- Missing document language
- Empty links and buttons
- Missing heading structure
- And many more...
Check Your Site's WCAG Compliance
Get a free scan to see how your website measures up against WCAG 2.1 guidelines.