Understanding WCAG
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the global standard for digital accessibility, guiding the creation of inclusive websites, apps, and documents. Many U.S. and international regulations require WCAG conformance.
- Explore WCAG 2.1 and 2.2
- Breakdown of WCAG Level A, AA and AAA success criteria
- WCAG and legal compliance
- Get the Must-Have WCAG Checklist
Trusted by the world’s leading brands
Web accessibility matters
1.3 billion people live with disabilities worldwide.
Many disabilities impact how users interact with the web. Unfortunately, there’s a significant gap between the volume of digital content available, and the volume of content that’s usable for people with disabilities. Digital accessibility is essential to bridge this gap, ensuring everyone—including those with disabilities—can fully engage with online experiences.
What is WCAG?
WCAG is the international standard for website accessibility. These guidelines provide a clear, technical, and measurable framework that helps website owners ensure their content is accessible to all users. WCAG offers detailed methodologies and techniques, backed by thorough documentation, to help with both the creation of new web experiences and the remediation of existing issues. The most recent version of WCAG, WCAG 2.2, includes more than 80 specific criteria for conformance that can be used to evaluate website accessibility
WCAG and legal compliance
WCAG is often referenced in enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and these standards are embedded in global accessibility laws, like Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Additionally, the presumptive standard for compliance with the European Accessibility Act (EAA), EN 301 549, aligns with WCAG.
Because meeting legal requirements for digital accessibility often involves conforming with WCAG, conforming to this standard isn’t optional for many organizations. It’s essential to avoid legal or regulatory action.
The Must-Have WCAG Checklist
Start your journey to WCAG conformance and legal compliance with our interactive guide. You’ll learn more about WCAG standards, as well as various methods for evaluating accessibility. Plus, you’ll get our complete checklist, compiled by accessibility experts, to use as you review your digital properties. This practical resource, which includes:
- An explanation of the WCAG standards, versions, and levels
- A breakdown of each WCAG success criterion
- An overview of different accessibility testing methods
- An interactive checklist of all WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 success criteria
What our customers say
Advancing accessibility programs for more than 25 years
-
“When we started our accessibility journey, Level Access met us where we were. The team guided us and supported us every step of the way. And now our program is flourishing, with Level Access still by our side.”
-
“We needed a partner that could help us fill our knowledge gap, providing ongoing education and training, as well as tooling, integration, monitoring and actionable reporting. That partner was Level Access.”
-
“Level Access not only helps us navigate the complexities of digital accessibility but has empowered our Product, Design, and Development teams with the know-how to consider accessibility upfront. New features are now more accessible by design.”
Understand your current state of accessibility
Request a free risk assessment to understand your current digital accessibility status. During this assessment, you will:
- Have your website or app assessed using our proprietary tools
- Receive a report on your most at-risk areas and common issues
- Get resources to help you with next steps
FAQ
Is WCAG a legal requirement?
WCAG is not a law; however, conforming with WCAG standards is required for compliance with various legal mandates, including Title II of the ADA, Section 508, and the AODA.
Does WCAG apply to mobile apps?
Following WCAG success criteria is a best practice for all types of digital experiences, including mobile apps. Specifically, WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 include criteria for tablets and mobile devices.
Is WCAG 2.2 conformance required immediately?
Although organizations may not need to comply with WCAG 2.2 right away, addressing the new success criteria will help you stay ahead of evolving regulations.