Reviewed by: Tamar Schapira, SenseIT
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We recommend consulting a qualified attorney for guidance on accessibility compliance and legal requirements specific to your situation.
With the release of WCAG 2.2, freelancers and agencies who build sites need to stay updated to ensure websites are accessible to all users. These guidelines aren’t just about compliance; they improve usability, expand audience reach, and provide a competitive edge. Understanding and implementing WCAG 2.2 is essential for legal protection, ethical responsibility, and business growth.
What is WCAG?
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is a set of internationally recognized standards developed by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) to make websites and digital content accessible to people with disabilities. These guidelines focus on improving navigation, readability, and interactivity for users with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments. Following WCAG not only ensures compliance with legal requirements but also enhances user experience and expands your audience.
What’s New in WCAG 2.2?
WCAG 2.2 builds on WCAG 2.1 by adding new success criteria that address mobile usability, cognitive accessibility, and overall user experience. Key updates include:
- Focus Not Obscured (2.4.12 & 2.4.13): Ensuring interactive elements remain visible when they receive keyboard focus.
- Dragging Movements (2.5.7): Providing alternative methods for users who can’t perform drag-and-drop actions.
- Target Size (2.5.8): Requiring a minimum clickable area for interactive elements to improve touch accessibility.
- Consistent Help (3.2.6): Ensuring support options like live chat or FAQs remain consistent across pages.
- Accessible Authentication (3.3.7 & 3.3.8): Making login processes more accessible by avoiding cognitive burdens like puzzle-based CAPTCHAs.
These updates directly impact design and development, requiring adjustments in navigation, interaction, and usability features.
Why WCAG 2.2 Matters for Your Clients
Ignoring accessibility isn’t just a bad practice—it’s a legal risk. Many countries, including the U.S. (ADA) and the EU (EN 301 549), enforce web accessibility laws. Non-compliance can lead to lawsuits and lost business opportunities.
Beyond legal concerns, accessibility expands a client’s audience. Over a billion people globally live with disabilities. Ensuring an inclusive experience improves engagement and customer retention. Positioning accessibility as a competitive advantage helps clients stand out, demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility and superior user experience.
WCAG Conformance Levels: A, AA, AAA
WCAG guidelines are structured around three levels of conformance that indicate the extent to which a website meets accessibility standards.
Level A:
This is the minimum level of compliance. Meeting Level A criteria means that some basic barriers have been removed, making it possible for some users with disabilities to access the content. However, websites at this level may still present significant challenges for many users.
Level AA:
Level AA is considered the acceptable standard for most websites. It addresses the major issues that affect users with various disabilities by removing more significant barriers compared to Level A. In many jurisdictions, legal requirements mandate meeting at least Level AA conformance. Most businesses and organizations strive to achieve this level as it balances enhanced accessibility with practical design constraints.
Level AAA:
This is the highest and most rigorous level of compliance . Websites that meet Level AAA criteria provide the best user experience for people with disabilities, addressing even subtle accessibility challenges. However, not all content or web pages can conform to Level AAA without compromising the design or functionality. Thus, while it’s ideal, it’s often reserved for specialized content where the highest level of accessibility is paramount.
Checklist for WCAG 2.2
Important: The following tips are for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
1. Provide Text Alternatives (1.1.1)
What to Do: Ensure all non-text content has a text alternative.
How to Apply:
- Use alt text for images, charts, and graphs.
- Provide text descriptions for complex visuals.
- Use title attributes for extra context in image links.
Tools that Help: Alt Text AI
2. Alternative Content for Audio & Video (1.2.1 – 1.2.5)
What to Do: Make audio and video content accessible.
How to Apply:
- Provide transcripts for audio-only content.
- Include captions for videos with speech.
- Offer audio descriptions for visually dependent videos.
Tools that Help: Tactiq, GSpeech TTS
3. Ensure Clear Content Structure (1.3.1 – 1.3.5)
What to Do: Maintain logical content order and relationships.
How to Apply:
- Use proper HTML elements like headings, lists, and tables.
- Ensure form labels are properly associated with input fields.
- Allow websites to adapt to portrait and landscape orientations.
Tools that Help: Elementor, Hello Biz Theme
4. Use Color Wisely (1.4.1 – 1.4.3)
What to Do: Don’t rely solely on color to convey information.
How to Apply:
- Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background (minimum 4.5:1 ratio).
- Provide alternative indicators for color-coded elements.
- Avoid autoplaying audio longer than 3 seconds.
Tools that Help: Contrast Ratio Checker, Ally
5. Ensure Readability and Scalability (1.4.4 – 1.4.13)
What to Do: Allow users to customize text for readability.
How to Apply:
- Ensure text can be resized up to 200% without losing functionality.
- Avoid images of text; use CSS for styling.
- Make hover-triggered content easily dismissible.
Tools that Help: Ally (resize text option)
6. Make Websites Keyboard-Friendly (2.1.1 – 2.1.4)
What to Do: Ensure all content and features are accessible via a keyboard.
How to Apply:
- Enable navigation using the Tab key.
- Ensure focus indicators are visible and logical.
- Avoid trapping users in keyboard-only navigation.
Tools that Help: Elementor
7. Provide Error Feedback and Assistance (3.3.1 – 3.3.8)
What to Do: Help users avoid and correct mistakes.
How to Apply:
- Clearly identify form errors with text explanations.
- Suggest valid inputs when users make mistakes.
- Allow users to review, confirm, and undo important actions.
Tools that Help: Elementor Pro
8. Enhance Compatibility with Assistive Tech (4.1.2 – 4.1.3)
What to Do: Ensure user interface components are understandable by assistive technologies. How to Apply:
- Use proper ARIA attributes where needed.
- Ensure all status messages are read aloud by screen readers.
Tutorials that Help: Elementor Custom Attributes
By following these guidelines, web creators can ensure their sites meet WCAG 2.2 standards, improving accessibility, legal compliance, and user experience.
Conclusion
WCAG 2.2 is a crucial update for web creators, ensuring inclusivity, legal compliance, and business advantages. By integrating accessibility into your workflow, you future-proof your projects and offer greater value to clients. Start today—test your current sites, update your processes, and position yourself as a leader in accessible web design.
