In an increasingly digital world, accessibility is an imperative. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG ) are designed to establish accessibility standards to make online content more inclusive for all users, especially those with disabilities. The most recent version of these guidelines, WCAG 2.2, released in October 2023, makes significant improvements to further expand digital accessibility.
WCAG 2.2: Expanding Digital Accessibility
WCAG 2.2 is the latest iteration of the digital accessibility standards and aims to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse audience. The new guidelines introduced in WCAG 2.2 aim to improve the online experience for a wide range of users, including those who use mobile devices, those with cognitive impairments, and those with visual impairments. This update improves the accessibility of online content such as web pages and PDFs, making it easier for people with disabilities to navigate and interact online.
What are the new accessibility criteria in WCAG 2.2?
Among the new criteria included in WCAG 2.2 are:
- Consistent Help (A): Allows support mechanisms, such as contact information or self-help options, to be presented consistently across multiple web pages.
- Redundant Entry (A): Pre-populates or automatically makes selectable the required information when it needs to be provided in a form, reducing cognitive load.
- Focus Not Obscured (AA) and "Enhanced" Focus Not Obscured (AAA): Ensure that interactive elements, such as links, buttons, and form fields, are not hidden when they receive focus based on compliance level, making it easier to navigate with the keyboard.
- Dragging Movements (AA): Addresses the interactions of dragging content from the internet, ensuring that an equivalent interaction without swiping is available in order to make online experiences more accessible to users with motor impairments.
- Target Size (AA): Ensure that interactive elements are large or spaced far enough apart to prevent accidental activations.
- Focus Appearance (AAA): Make sure that when navigating with the keyboard, the position (or focus) indicator is sufficiently visible in relation to its size and contrast ratio.
- Accessible Authentication (AA) and Enhanced Accessible Authentication (AAA): Ensure that login methods are accessible and user-friendly.
What level of WCAG compliance does your website need?
In practice, a minimum compliance level of AA is recommended for websites, as Level A is often considered insufficient when it comes to accessibility. However, it is essential to note that different countries or regions may have specific digital accessibility laws or requirements, which may require a particular version and level of WCAG compliance required by local law.
Accessibility at the Heart of Digital Transformation
Digital transformation is a must these days, and it must include accessibility. Approximately 16% of the adult population in Canada, or 6 million people, live with cognitive, motor, visual or hearing disabilities. For these individuals, browsing the web can be a real challenge. That's where CTG comes in.
At CTG, we put accessibility at the heart of digital transformation. Our team of accessibility experts is experienced and trained to meet your needs. Their extensive knowledge of web development, including HTML and CSS, makes them invaluable. They are fully equipped to help you meet the latest WCAG standards, staying constantly up-to-date with ever-changing guidelines.
Accessibility testing is essential to ensure that your online content is inclusive and compliant with accessibility regulations. Accessibility isn't just about compliance; It is about creating a more inclusive and welcoming digital environment for all. At CTG, we are committed to making this ideal a reality for your organization.
To learn more about how our team can help you make your website or app accessible and compliant with your local laws, please read our white paper.
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