WCAG 2.1 Level AA is widely recognized as the primary technical standard for digital accessibility in the United States. It is the benchmark that U.S. courts and the Department of Justice (DOJ) generally rely on when evaluating whether websites are accessible. If your website serves users in the U.S., meeting this standard is likely important for your organization. Explore the WCAG requirements below to learn what they involve.
What Are the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the internationally recognized framework for making websites, mobile applications, and other digital content accessible to people with disabilities. Created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), these guidelines outline best practices for designing and developing digital experiences that everyone can use.
WCAG is the most widely accepted accessibility standard and is frequently referenced in accessibility laws and regulations around the world. By following its recommendations and meeting its success criteria, organizations can create digital content that works across different devices, browsers, and assistive technologies.
Many organizations rely on WCAG to assess the accessibility of their websites, identify areas that need improvement, and support compliance with digital accessibility requirements.
Read more about web content accessibility guidelines
What Does WCAG Compliance Mean?
In simple terms, WCAG compliance means meeting the accessibility requirements outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. This involves making sure that websites, applications, and digital content are easy to access, navigate, and use for people with disabilities in a variety of real-world situations.
Although the phrase "WCAG compliance" is commonly used, the more accurate technical term is "WCAG conformance." Conformance measures how closely a website or application meets the specific requirements of the WCAG standard through testable success criteria. Compliance, on the other hand, refers to meeting the legal or regulatory obligations that may require following WCAG. While the two terms have different meanings, they are often used interchangeably because both focus on creating accessible digital experiences.
Achieving WCAG compliance involves more than simply checking technical requirements off a list. Digital content should work well with assistive technologies such as screen readers, magnifiers, and other accessibility tools while supporting users with visual, hearing, cognitive, and physical disabilities. By integrating accessibility into every stage of design, development, and ongoing maintenance, organizations can maintain WCAG conformance as their digital content continues to evolve.
What Are WCAG Guidelines?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are a collection of recommendations supported by measurable success criteria that help organizations build accessible digital experiences. Many people refer to these recommendations as "WCAG standards" because they provide a consistent framework for improving accessibility across websites, mobile apps, and other digital platforms.
The guidelines explain how digital content should be organized, displayed, and interacted with so it can be used by people with a wide range of disabilities. Each guideline is backed by specific, testable success criteria, allowing organizations to evaluate how well their digital content meets accessibility expectations.
Together, these guidelines provide a practical and flexible framework for creating and maintaining accessible digital content while allowing organizations to adapt their approach based on the purpose of their website and the needs of their audience.
WCAG Versions
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines have continued to evolve as technology advances and user needs change. Each new version expands on the previous one by introducing additional accessibility requirements and improving existing guidance.
For a more detailed explanation of each version and its conformance levels, see WCAG compliance levels.
WCAG 2.0
WCAG 2.0 replaced WCAG 1.0 and laid the foundation for modern web accessibility. It introduced the POUR principles along with testable success criteria that remain the basis of many accessibility laws and policies today.
WCAG 2.1
WCAG 2.1 expanded on version 2.0 by adding new requirements that improve accessibility for mobile users, individuals with low vision, and people with cognitive disabilities. These additions made the guidelines more relevant across a broader range of devices and user experiences.
WCAG 2.2
WCAG 2.2 introduced additional success criteria that better support users with cognitive disabilities and mobility challenges. It also removed one success criterion from WCAG 2.1 because advances in technology made it no longer necessary.
WCAG 3.0 (Currently in Development)
Originally known as Project Silver, WCAG 3.0 is being developed to provide a more flexible and comprehensive approach to digital accessibility. The goal is to make accessibility guidance easier to apply across a wider variety of technologies while introducing more flexible ways to evaluate conformance. At this time, WCAG 3.0 is still under development and is not expected to become a finalized standard for several more years.
Understanding the differences between these versions helps organizations choose the appropriate accessibility targets and stay prepared as accessibility standards continue to evolve.
WCAG Conformance Levels
WCAG includes three levels of conformance: A, AA, and AAA. These levels indicate how well a website or digital experience satisfies WCAG success criteria and help organizations measure their progress toward accessibility goals.
Level A (Basic Accessibility)
Level A is the minimum level of accessibility. It removes the most significant barriers that prevent people with disabilities from accessing digital content. While meeting Level A improves accessibility, it does not guarantee a fully inclusive user experience.
Level AA (Recommended Standard)
Level AA is the accessibility level most organizations strive to achieve. It is widely recognized around the world and is required by many accessibility laws and regulations. Meeting Level AA addresses a broader range of user needs while ensuring compatibility with commonly used assistive technologies.
Level AAA (Highest Accessibility Level)
Level AAA represents the highest level of accessibility and delivers the most inclusive experience possible. However, meeting every AAA requirement is not always practical for every website or type of content. For that reason, many organizations aim for Level AA while adopting additional AAA success criteria whenever possible.
These conformance levels provide a clear and measurable way for organizations to evaluate accessibility and improve their digital experiences over time.
The Four Principles of WCAG
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are based on four core principles known by the acronym POUR: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. These principles form the foundation of accessible digital design and development.
Perceivable
Information and interface elements should be presented in ways that users can recognize and understand through different senses, including sight, hearing, and touch. This includes providing text alternatives for images and making content available in multiple formats when needed.
Operable
Users should be able to navigate and interact with digital content using different input methods. Websites should not require users to rely solely on a mouse and should support keyboard navigation and other assistive input devices.
Understandable
Content should be clear, consistent, and easy to follow. Users should be able to understand the information presented, complete tasks without unnecessary confusion, and recover from mistakes without excessive effort.
Robust
Digital content should remain compatible with current and future browsers, devices, and assistive technologies. Building robust websites helps ensure accessibility as technology continues to evolve.
Together, these four principles provide the foundation for creating digital experiences that are accessible, inclusive, and usable for as many people as possible.
Who Should Follow WCAG?
Although the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are not laws themselves, they are widely used to help organizations meet accessibility requirements established by laws and regulations. By following WCAG standards, organizations can demonstrate that their websites, applications, and digital content are accessible to people with disabilities.
WCAG is commonly used to support compliance with:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
WCAG is often used to evaluate and support compliance with ADA Title II requirements for public entities. It is also commonly recommended for private businesses seeking to demonstrate accessibility under ADA Title III.
Section 508
Federal accessibility requirements in the United States align with WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA, making WCAG the primary technical standard used for Section 508 compliance
European Accessibility Act (EAA)
WCAG is incorporated into the EN 301 549 standard, which organizations use to meet accessibility requirements under the EAA across the European Union.
In general, organizations that must comply with accessibility laws, provide digital services to the public, or operate in regulated industries should follow WCAG as part of a structured accessibility strategy.
Is WCAG a Legal Requirement?
WCAG itself is not a law. However, it is widely recognized as the standard for meeting digital accessibility requirements under many laws and regulations. In practice, organizations often use WCAG compliance to demonstrate that their digital content meets legally enforceable accessibility expectations.
For example, WCAG is commonly used to support compliance with laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 508, and the European Accessibility Act. Even when a law does not specifically mention WCAG, the guidelines are frequently used as the technical framework for evaluating accessibility.Because of this, many organizations treat WCAG compliance as an essential requirement when they are subject to accessibility regulations, involved in procurement processes, or delivering digital services to the public.
Benefits of WCAG Compliance
Following WCAG standards offers more than legal protection. It helps organizations create digital experiences that are inclusive, consistent, and accessible to a wider range of people. When accessibility is integrated into the design and development process, it can enhance usability and generate long-term value.
Deliver More Accessible Digital Experiences
WCAG provides a clear framework for identifying and removing barriers that make digital content difficult to use. This helps create more consistent and accessible experiences for people with disabilities, including those who rely on assistive technologies.
Reach More Users and Customers
Accessible digital experiences help organizations reach a broader audience. By meeting WCAG requirements, businesses and institutions can better serve people with visual, hearing, cognitive, and mobility disabilities, as well as users accessing content on different devices and in different environments.
Improve Usability for Everyone
Many WCAG recommendations also reflect strong usability practices, such as clear navigation, readable content, and predictable interactions. These improvements benefit all users, not just people with disabilities.
Support Compliance and Reduce Risk
Because WCAG is widely used to meet accessibility requirements, achieving WCAG compliance can help organizations align with laws such as the ADA, Section 508, and the EAA, reducing both legal and reputational risk.
Build a Sustainable Accessibility Strategy
Organizations that incorporate WCAG into their design, development, and content processes are better prepared to maintain accessibility over time as websites, applications, and technologies continue to evolve.
At its core, WCAG compliance helps organizations create digital experiences that are accessible to as many people as possible.
What Does WCAG Compliance Require?
Achieving WCAG compliance involves more than simply passing a checklist of success criteria. It requires making sure digital content is accessible, usable, and compatible with assistive technologies in real-world situations.
In practice, organizations focus on three key areas:
Technical Accessibility
WCAG compliance is based on meeting measurable success criteria related to content presentation, structure, navigation, and interaction. These criteria provide a consistent foundation for building accessible websites, applications, and digital content.
Usability in Real-World Situations
Meeting technical requirements alone is not enough. Users must be able to understand content, navigate interfaces, and complete tasks independently. Accessibility should work effectively in everyday use, not just in theory.
Assistive Technology Compatibility
Digital content should work with assistive technologies such as screen readers, magnifiers, speech input tools, and keyboard navigation. This ensures that people can access content regardless of how they interact with technology.
Together, these areas define what it means to achieve and maintain meaningful WCAG compliance.
How to Achieve WCAG Compliance
WCAG compliance is best approached as an ongoing process that combines accessibility expertise, testing, and continuous improvement.
Conduct an Accessibility Audit
Evaluate your websites, applications, and digital content against WCAG guidelines and success criteria to identify accessibility gaps and establish a baseline.
Fix Accessibility Issues
Prioritize and address barriers identified during the audit, focusing first on issues that prevent users from accessing content or completing important tasks.
Validate Conformance
Verify that updates meet WCAG requirements and provide a consistent level of accessibility across key user journeys.
Test With Users
Conduct usability testing with people with disabilities to confirm that accessibility improvements work effectively in real-world scenarios.
Maintain Accessibility Over Time
Integrate WCAG into design, development, and content workflows so accessibility remains part of the process as digital experiences evolve.
WCAG Compliance Checklist
Most organizations begin their accessibility journey by following a few essential steps that help them meet WCAG requirements and build a solid foundation for long-term accessibility.
Conduct an Accessibility Audit
Review your websites, applications, and digital content against WCAG standards to identify accessibility gaps and establish a clear starting point for compliance.
Resolve Accessibility Issues
Prioritize and fix barriers that affect usability, especially those that prevent users from accessing content or completing important tasks.
Test Accessibility
Verify that your improvements meet WCAG requirements by combining automated accessibility tools with manual testing, including testing with assistive technologies.
Document Conformance
Keep detailed records showing how your digital content satisfies WCAG requirements, including the methods used to evaluate and implement accessibility improvements.
Monitor and Maintain Accessibility
Create an ongoing process for testing, tracking, and improving accessibility so your digital experiences remain compliant as they continue to grow and change.
This checklist is an excellent starting point, but lasting success comes from making accessibility an ongoing part of your design, development, and content creation processes.
WCAG Conformance vs. WCAG Compliance
The terms WCAG conformance and WCAG compliance are often used interchangeably, but they have slightly different meanings.
WCAG conformance is the more technically accurate term. It describes how closely a website, application, or digital product meets the specific success criteria defined in the WCAG guidelines. WCAG includes a conformance framework that allows organizations to measure accessibility and determine whether their digital content satisfies Level A, AA, or AAA requirements.
WCAG compliance is the term more commonly used in business, legal, and procurement settings. It generally refers to meeting WCAG requirements as part of an organization's broader accessibility and regulatory efforts. Technically, however, the word "compliance" is more appropriately used when referring to meeting applicable accessibility laws and regulations.
Need Help with WCAG Compliance?
Knowing where your organization stands is the first step toward creating digital experiences that are accessible, user-friendly, and inclusive. A comprehensive accessibility audit can uncover issues across your websites, applications, and digital content, while ongoing testing and validation help maintain WCAG conformance over time.
Whether you are assessing your current accessibility efforts or working toward stronger WCAG conformance, Webmax's Digital Accessibility Services team can support you with comprehensive accessibility audits, assistive technology testing, usability evaluations, expert guidance, and ongoing accessibility services.