We look a little different. Here’s Why
Making websites accessible is not only an ethical obligation to provide equal access but also makes good business sense.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 provide a set of recommendations for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities and users on diverse devices. Adopting these guidelines also helps organizations comply with accessibility laws and avoid legal risks.
This article explains what website accessibility means, why it matters, and offers an overview of WCAG 2.1 success criteria across levels A, AA and AAA for compliance.
Website accessibility refers to the inclusive practice of removing barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to, websites by people with disabilities. When sites are correctly designed, developed and edited, all users can perceive, understand, navigate, interact and contribute.
Specifically, website accessibility means:
Here are some key reasons why accessibility should be a priority for all websites:
First published in 2008, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provides recommendations for improving accessibility based on four key principles:
The WCAG criteria are organized across 3 levels of conformance:
Level A (Minimum) – Website meets all Level A success criteria or provides a conforming alternate version. This is the minimum level to meet basic accessibility needs.
For example:
Level AA (Best Practice) – Conforms to all Level A and Level AA success criteria. Meets worldwide legal requirements.
Additional Level AA examples:
Level AAA (Above and Beyond) – Website meets WCAG 2.1 Level AAA success criteria. This is the highest level most ambitious websites may aim for over time.
Some additional Level AAA criteria:
Here are some tips to get started:
Accessibility is about more than just compliance. It is about designing experiences so no one faces barriers when using websites. When implemented properly for inclusion, web accessibility principles can create interfaces that work for all users.
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