WCAG 2.0 - Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

When designing web sites and portals make sure to also address general accessibility issues governed for instance by the WCAG 2.0 – Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

WCAG 2.0 – Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

Basically, the WCAG is composed of three priority levels:

Level A (beginner),
Level AA (intermediate)
Level AAA (advanced)

Each level adds additional requirements concerning the four guidelines principles

perceivable
operable
understandable
robust

Perceivable (section 1.1 Text alternatives through 1.4 Distinguishable) defines that

Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive.

Operable (section 2.1 Operable through 2.4 Navigable) makes sure that

User Interface components and navigation must be operable.

Understandable (section 3.1 Readable through 3.3 Input Assistence) defines that

Information and the operation of user interface must be understandable.

Robust (section 4.1 Compatible) finally makes sure that

Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.

WCAG 2.0 – Checklists

Below you find checklists for each WACG level published by Luke McGrath that outlines the guidelines to make websites WCAG conformant. Following the checklist for each of the levels you find online tools that enable you to check websites for conformance.

WCAG 2.0 – Checklist Level A (Beginner)

Guideline	Summary
1.1.1 – Non-text Content	Provide text alternatives for non-text content
1.2.1 – Audio-only and Video-only (Pre-recorded)	Provide an alternative to video-only and audio-only content
1.2.2 – Captions (Pre-recorded)	Provide captions for videos with audio
1.2.3 – Audio Description or Media Alternative (Pre-recorded)	Video with audio has a second alternative
1.3.1 – Info and Relationships	Logical structure
1.3.2 – Meaningful Sequence	Present content in a meaningful order
1.3.3 – Sensory Characteristics	Use more than one sense for instructions
1.4.1 – Use of Colour	Don’t use presentation that relies solely on colour
1.4.2 – Audio Control	Don’t play audio automatically
2.1.1 – Keyboard	Accessible by keyboard only
2.1.2 – No Keyboard Trap	Don’t trap keyboard users
2.2.1 – Timing Adjustable	Time limits have user controls
2.2.2 – Pause, Stop, Hide	Provide user controls for moving content
2.3.1 – Three Flashes or Below	No content flashes more than three times per second
2.4.1 – Bypass Blocks	Provide a ‘Skip to Content’ link
2.4.2 – Page Titled	Use helpful and clear page titles
2.4.3 – Focus Order	Logical order
2.4.4 – Link Purpose (In Context)	Every link’s purpose is clear from its context
3.1.1 – Language of Page	Page has a language assigned
3.2.1 – On Focus	Elements do not change when they receive focus
3.2.2 – On Input	Elements do not change when they receive input
3.3.1 – Error Identification	Clearly identify input errors
3.3.2 – Labels or Instructions	Label elements and give instructions
4.1.1 – Parsing	No major code errors
4.1.2 – Name, Role, Value	Build all elements for accessibility

WCAG 2.0 Level A basically makes sure that the content is accessible based on the four main principles perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. As stated above levels AA and AAA add additional requirements to these principles which are outlined below.

WCAG 2.0 checklist Level AA (Intermediate)

Guideline	Summary
1.2.4 – Captions (Live)	Live videos have captions
1.2.5 – Audio Description (Pre-recorded)	Users have access to audio description for video content
1.4.3 – Contrast (Minimum)	Contrast ratio between text and background is at least 4.5:1
1.4.4 – Resize Text	Text can be resized to 200% without loss of content or function
1.4.5 – Images of Text	Don’t use images of text
2.4.5 – Multiple Ways	Offer several ways to find pages
2.4.6 – Headings and Labels	Use clear headings and labels
2.4.7 – Focus Visible	Ensure keyboard focus is visible and clear
3.1.2 – Language of Parts	Tell users when the language on a page changes
3.2.3 – Consistent Navigation	Use menus consistently
3.2.4 – Consistent Identification	Use icons and buttons consistently
3.3.3 – Error Suggestion	Suggest fixes when users make errors
3.3.4- Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data)	Reduce the risk of input errors for sensitive data

WCAG 2.0 checklist Level AAA (Advanced)

Guideline	Summary
1.2.6 – Sign Language (Pre-recorded)	Provide sign language translations for videos
1.2.7 – Extended Audio description (Pre-recorded)	Provide extended audio description for videos
1.2.8 – Media Alternative (Pre-recorded)	Provide a text alternative to videos
1.2.9 – Audio Only (Live)	Provide alternatives for live audio
1.4.6 – Contrast (Enhanced)	Contrast ratio between text and background is at least 7:1
1.4.7 – Low or No Background Audio	Audio is clear for listeners to hear
1.4.8 – Visual Presentation	Offer users a range of presentation options
1.4.9 – Images of Text (No Exception)	Don’t use images of text
2.1.3 – Keyboard (No Exception)	Accessible by keyboard only, without exception
2.2.3 – No Timing	No time limits
2.2.4 – Interruptions	Don’t interrupt users
2.2.5 – Re-authenticating	Save user data when re-authenticating
2.3.2 – Three Flashes	No content flashes more than three times per second
2.4.8 – Location	Let users know where they are
2.4.9 – Link Purpose (Link Only)	Every link’s purpose is clear from its text
2.4.10 – Section Headings	Break up content with headings
3.1.3 – Unusual words	Explain any strange words
3.1.4 – Abbreviations	Explain any abbreviations
3.1.5 – Reading Level	Users with nine years of school can read your content
3.1.6 – Pronunciation	Explain any words that are hard to pronounce
3.2.5 – Change on Request	Don’t change elements on your website until users ask
3.3.5 – Help	Provide detailed help and instructions
3.3.6 – Error Prevention (All)	Reduce the risk of all input errors

WCAG 2.0 – Web Content Accessibility Guidelines