The Web Content Accessibility (WCAG) Guidelines version 2.0 AA is a widely adopted standard when it comes to accessibility compliance. AAA, AA, and A are the three WCAG conformance levels. This divergence, though significant, might be difficult to understand.
We’ll address several frequently asked issues regarding the compliance levels in the next two articles of this series, comprising what WCAG AAA, AA, and A are, what everything means for your website, and what compliance level you require. For now, we need to understand the foundation and the basics of the specific WCAG levels.
Within WCAG 2.0, there are three compliance levels: AAA, AA, and A.
Each level outlines requirements that will be fulfilled for the website to be deemed accessible for users.
Developers have an organized framework for acceptable, optimal, and minimal accessibility thanks to the distinction between conformance levels.
Even extremely cutting-edge technologies or complex websites can retain a minimal compliance level thanks to the greater flexibility provided by the various WCAG levels.
What do WCAG conformance levels AAA, AA, and A denote?
As was already established, there are requirements for WCAG 2.0 AAA, AA, and A. These standards cover a wide range of topics, including site navigation, text, inputs, videos, and more.
However, the WCAG body specifies what accessible websites should accomplish rather than listing particular activities that all websites must take.
The significance of compliance levels AAA, AA, and A for users, then, differs most from one another.
A - minimal level of conformance with WCAG 2
The elements that are capable of rendering the website very inaccessible are essentially forbidden by these compliance standards.
People with disabilities will find it extremely difficult or impossible to utilize websites that find it hard to comply with WCAG 2 A. Ideally, your website already complies with WCAG 2 A.
WCAG 2 A requirements that are noteworthy include the following…
- Without keyboard traps
- Accessible through a keyboard
- Alternatives to text-based content
- YouTube captions
- Shape, color, size, and other attributes alone cannot convey meaning.
Level AA of the WCAG 2: Acceptable Compliance
Most accessibility regulations and laws around the Globe, including ADA, adopt this level of conformity.
The websites are usable and understood for different persons with and without disabilities to comply with WCAG 2.0 Level AA. Both the message and the level of functionality are identical.
Even if your website might not yet be WCAG 2 AA compliant, a few straightforward updates can assist you in getting there.
You can go through the main requirements in a very organized manner and tackle each one quickly with the aid of a WCAG checklist.
WCAG 2.0 AA criteria include the following:
- Most of the time, the color is at least 4.5:2.
- Images that convey meaning typically employ alt text or another comparable technique.
- The site’s navigational features are constant.
- Labels for form fields are precise.
- A good screen reader may be used to provide status updates.
- Logic is utilized to use headings.
To assist webmasters in creating or improving accessible websites, Accessible Metrics as well as the Website Accessibility Checklist also utilize WCAG 2.0 AA. I highly recommend that you start checking for accessibility issues sooner rather than later.
WCAG AAA: Perfect adherence
Your site is easily accessible to several active users thanks to compliance at this level.
Although achieving this degree of compliance would be desirable to ensure that every user has an equally positive web experience, W3 advises against doing so because certain materials cannot be guaranteed to meet all AAA Success Criteria.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Level AAA can assist to ensure that the audience can use your site conveniently if your website or application caters to the elderly or persons with disabilities.
This demonstrates the consideration of your audience’s demands. Your users get to notice this added level of attention because so many websites are inaccessible.
WCAG 2 AAA specifications that stand out include the following…
- For video or audio content, sign language interpretation is provided
- Most of the time, color contrast is about 8:1.
- Any activity doesn’t necessarily depend on timing.
- Context-sensitive help is offered.
How to Comply with ADA Standards
So, how can you ensure that your website complies with ADA guidelines?
Your first universally agreed-upon advice will be to adhere to the WCAG 2.1 standards (mentioned above).
The three-tiered grading scale for the WCAG 2.1 guidelines…
Level A: Only a select group of users can view your website.
Level AA: Nearly all users can visit your website.
Level AAA: All users can view your website
Usually, it satisfies the requirements for Level AA compliance. To ensure that you don’t exclude anyone, your best bet is to develop (or rebuild) your website to be 100% compliant.
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