15 Jun 2024

What is WCAG?

WCAG is a set of internationally recognized guidelines to ensure web content is accessible to everyone, including users with visual, auditory, physical, and cognitive disabilities.

The Four Principles of Accessibility (POUR)

• Perceivable: Content must be presented in ways that users can perceive (e.g., text alternatives for images, captions for videos).
• Operable: Navigation and interface elements must be usable by all, including those relying on keyboards or voice commands.
• Understandable: Content should be easy to read and comprehend, with clear layouts and predictable interactions.
• Robust: Content must be compatible with a wide range of assistive technologies, ensuring future-proof accessibility.

WCAG Levels of Compliance

• Level A: Minimum accessibility requirements.
• Level AA: Addresses the biggest barriers for users with disabilities (recommended for most websites).
• Level AAA: Highest level, ensuring optimal accessibility, though often difficult to achieve for all content.

Practical Tips for Accessibility

• - Add alt text to images.
• - Ensure keyboard navigation is possible.
• - Use descriptive links for screen readers.
• - Maintain color contrast for readability.
• - Provide transcripts and captions for multimedia.

Why Web Accessibility Matters

Web accessibility enhances user experience, improves SEO rankings, and ensures compliance with legal standards such as the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or EU accessibility directives.

This guide provides a practical, easy-to-understand approach to making your website compliant with WCAG and fostering a more inclusive digital experience for all users.

SASS Development