Skip to content

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (abbreviated as WCAG) are a set of international standards and guidelines created by the W3C World Wide Web Consortium that provide recommendations for making web content more accessible to persons with disabilities.

WCAG is not limited to a specific industry or sector. It applies to all types of websites and web applications, whether they are government websites, e-commerce platforms, news portals, educational resources, or personal blogs. The guidelines can be implemented at different levels of conformance (A, AA, or AAA) depending on the specific accessibility requirements and goals of the website owner or organization.

By following WCAG guidelines, web professionals and organizations can create inclusive and accessible digital experiences, ensuring that web content is available to a diverse user base, regardless of their abilities or the technologies they use to access the web.

The POUR Principles of WCAG 2.1

WCAG 2.1 builds upon its predecessor, WCAG 2.0, and provides additional guidance to address the accessibility needs of a broader range of users. WCAG 2.1 is organized around four principles that define the essential qualities of accessible web content. The P.O.U.R. principles are:

  • Perceivable: Information and user interface components should be presented in a manner that can be perceived by all users, including those with visual or hearing impairments.
  • Operable: The user interface and navigation of the website should be operable by all users, including those with physical or motor disabilities.
  • Understandable: Web content and its operation should be understandable to all users, including those with cognitive or learning disabilities.
  • Robust: Web content should be robust and compatible with a wide range of current and future user agents (browsers, assistive technology, etc.) to ensure users can access content in multiple ways.

The Origin of WCAG and Why All Websites Should Follow These Guidelines

In the late 1990s, as the web became more prevalent, it became evident that there was a need for guidelines to address the accessibility barriers faced by people with disabilities. This led to developing the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 1.0, published in 1999.

Person Working On Computer

WCAG 2.1 provides detailed guidelines, success criteria, and techniques to achieve accessibility. These standards are classified into three levels of conformance: Level A (the minimum level), Level AA (mid-level for most websites), and Level AAA (the highest level of accessibility).

Adhering to WCAG 2.1 helps ensure that websites and web applications are accessible to diverse users, including those with disabilities, allowing them to perceive, navigate, and interact with digital content effectively.

Websites should follow WCAG guidelines for several reasons:

Legal Requirements

In many countries, some laws and regulations require websites to meet certain accessibility standards. For example, in the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to websites and mandates accessibility for people with disabilities. By adhering to WCAG guidelines, websites can ensure compliance with these legal requirements and avoid potential legal issues.

Ethical Responsibility

Access to information and services on the web is essential for complete participation in society. By following WCAG guidelines, websites demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and equal access for all individuals, regardless of their abilities. It helps create a more inclusive online environment and promotes social responsibility.

Improved User Experience

Accessible websites benefit all users, not just those with disabilities. Adhering to WCAG guidelines often results in a better user experience for everyone. For example, providing clear navigation and well-structured content benefits users who may need help understanding complex layouts or finding information quickly.

Expanded Audience Reach

By ensuring accessibility, websites can reach a larger audience. Approximately 15% of the world’s population has some form of disability, and by making web content accessible, websites can accommodate these users and provide them with equal opportunities to access information, products, and services.

Future Compatibility

Following WCAG guidelines ensures that websites are built with future technologies and devices in mind. By creating robust and adaptable content, websites are more likely to remain accessible as new technologies and browsing methods emerge.

How to Ensure Your Website is WCAG Compliant

While achieving full compliance can be a complex process, here are some general web accessibility initiative steps to help you get started:

Familiarize Yourself with WCAG Guidelines

Gain a thorough understanding of the WCAG 2.1 guidelines and success criteria. Get familiar with the principles of perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust content, and explore the specific requirements outlined in the guidelines.

Conduct an Accessibility Audit

Perform a comprehensive accessibility audit of your website to identify existing accessibility barriers. This can be done manually or by using automated accessibility testing tools. The audit will help you identify areas that require improvement to meet WCAG standards.

Provide Alternative Text for Images

Ensure that all images on your website have alternative text that describes the content and purpose of the image. Alt text is important for users who rely on screen readers or have images disabled, and it can also provide SEO benefits when properly optimized.

Use Semantic HTML

Structure your web content using semantic HTML markup. Use appropriate HTML elements (e.g., headings, lists, paragraphs) to convey the structure and hierarchy of your content. This helps users navigate and understand the content more effectively.

Ensure Keyboard Accessibility

Ensure that all interactive elements, menus, and form controls are operable via keyboard navigation alone. Users who cannot use a mouse rely on keyboard navigation to access and interact with web content.

Senior Couple Checking Accessibility Guidelines

Provide Adequate Color Contrast

Make sure there is adequate color contrast within the text and other visual formatting elements to make them easily readable for users with visual impairments. WCAG provides specific guidelines for color contrast ratios to ensure readability for users with visual impairments.

Implement Transcripts and Captions

If your website includes multimedia content, such as videos or audio, provide descriptive identification, such as transcripts or captions to make them accessible to users with varying levels of hearing impairments or those who cannot access audio content.

Test with Assistive Technologies

Test each web page using assistive technologies like magnification tools, screen readers, and keyboard-only navigation. This helps identify any accessibility issues that may be present and allows you to address them accordingly.

Consider Responsive Design

Ensure your website is responsive and adapts well to different screen sizes and devices. This is especially important for mobile users and individuals who rely on zooming or screen magnification.

Regularly Update and Maintain Accessibility

Accessibility is an ongoing process. Continuously monitor and update your website to maintain accessibility as technologies and standards evolve. Regularly test and address any new accessibility issues that may arise.

It’s worth noting that achieving full WCAG compliance can be challenging, particularly at the highest conformance levels (AA and AAA). Consider seeking guidance from accessibility experts or consultants who can provide specific recommendations tailored to your web pages and your website’s unique accessibility needs.

Increase Your Website’s WCAG Compliance with Accessibly

Accessibly is the go-to app for increasing WCAG compliance for your website by offering a range of features and tools that address various accessibility requirements. By leveraging the features and tools provided by Accessibly, you can enhance your website’s accessibility, increase compliance with WCAG standards, and provide a more inclusive experience for all users, including those with disabilities.

Provide an inclusive user experience to all your visitors with Accessibly. Start your 7-day free trial with Accessibly today and make your website more accessible to people with disabilities.

Get The #1 Accessibility Widget Now

Install Accessibly and make your website ADA & WCAG compliant at a moment’s notice.

Get Accessibly App
Photo with animation

What our clients say

Great experience with this app. User-friendly UI for both mobile and desktop and helps our website achieve Accessibility requirements. The support team is amazing with their hands-on assistance for any issues that come up.

BulbAmerica

November 22, 2022

This app is worth every penny. Not only does it provide the functionality that every website needs, but their customer service is beyond amazing. I submitted a question regarding the app and received the most detailed responses explaining to me what the app does, what it doesn't, and ways to maximize it. Sharing what I learned: Based on the published Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), this Accessibly app can help your website achieve compatibility. Also learned that you should scan your website using this ADA compliance tool—https://wave.webaim.org and fix the errors. Such a great app and the most helpful customer service. Highly recommend!

Dermasuri

September 1, 2022

Für Ethical Made war es wichtig, dass alle Menschen unsere digitalen Angebote nutzen können, unabhängig von ihren körperlichen und geistigen Fähigkeiten. Das ADA Compliance Plugin von On the Map erfüllt alle unsere Anforderungen an die Barrierefreiheit im E-Commerce, so das auch Menschen mit Behinderung unsere Website uneingeschränkt nutzen können.

Ethical Made

April 23, 2022

It's a great APP that works perfectly and customer service team is exceptional. Also installing the APP with very easy. Thanks!

Ecuador

January 25, 2022

We do not normally leave reviews for apps unless something exceptional has stood out to us. The level of customer support for this app was above and beyond when it came to helping us implement the app. Highly recommend!

Pristine Sprays

November 17, 2021

Does exactly what I need for a fair price! Straight forward and I didn't feel ripped off like some of the other apps. This offers great accessibility with customizable colors and positions. The installation was easy and walked me through setting up my own accessibility statement page. Thanks for making this a no-brainer for us! You earned the 5-stars!

Kiln Frog

November 3, 2021

We know of another small company that just got sued for something like $30K for not having their website be ADA compliant, so we are glad this exists! The $5 version works great for us - had a small hiccup with the display/our search bar when first installed but Kaspars from their support team resolved it within a couple of days and was super communicative and helpful. Thanks for a great easy to use product.

Stonehouse Olive Oil

September 7, 2021

Developer is quick to respond with changes/upgrades (about 2 days). I requested some changes with ARIA based on issues with accessibility checkers (e.g. Lighthouse on Chrome Developer Tools). Changes made, badda boom. Two thumbs up.

Yolk | free range design

August 27, 2021

This app has helped me make my site more accessible to customers with disabilities. It was super easy to use and customize, definitely worth the premium subscription.

GleamnGlim

March 29, 2021

As a visually impaired creator, I wanted to accommodate all my customers/visitors when accessing my shop. This app works perfectly for that, gives the visitor control of what they experience, and adds even more accessibility than most other similar apps. I highly recommend it!

Deven Rue

October 24, 2020

Great support and app functionality for stores that need a non-intrusive solution to disability accessibility.

Detail Planet

March 27, 2020

Exactly what I was looking for to assist in ensuring accessibility compliance. They've also been very helpful in assisting me customize things so it meets our site needs. Highly recommended.

FORYOURLEGS.COM

February 21, 2020

Super helpful team! Very responsive and can implement quickly and as needed. Thank you, Kaspars, for all of your help!

Rumpl

February 20, 2020

Nice app that provides easy panel access for impaired users. Support was extremely responsive to a request for minor customization - We are excited to have this in place!

Brush Hero

February 10, 2020

The tool was simple to install and immediately provided a remedy to some of our accessibility issues as we worked to update our site. Kaspars was responsive and very helpful assisting with applying some custom display requests. Overall a wonderful app!

Snow Peak

January 15, 2020

Perfect app! We love what it does to help people with disabilities and works perfectly. Thank you to the developers!

Garçon Apparel

November 5, 2019

Everyone should use this app - it’s super simple, easiest way to help your store with WCAG 2.1, ADA, Section 508 and EN 301549 compliance

The Bang Shack

September 13, 2019