Skip to main content
Commons Kit

What is WCAG?

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are international standards that ensure websites are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.

Commons Kit is designed to meet WCAG 2.2 AA

Understanding WCAG

WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), these guidelines provide a single shared standard for web content accessibility that meets the needs of individuals, organizations, and governments internationally.

The current version, WCAG 2.2, was published in October 2023 and builds upon previous versions (2.0 and 2.1) while adding new success criteria that address mobile accessibility, people with low vision, and people with cognitive and learning disabilities.

Many countries have adopted WCAG as the basis for their accessibility laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in Canada, and the European Accessibility Act.

Conformance Levels

WCAG defines three levels of conformance to meet the needs of different groups and situations.

  • Level A

    The minimum level of accessibility. Addresses the most critical barriers that would prevent users from accessing content at all.

    • All images have text alternatives
    • Videos have captions
    • Content can be accessed with a keyboard
    • Pages have descriptive titles

  • Level AA

    Recommended Standard

    The recommended standard for most websites. Addresses major barriers and is the target for most accessibility laws and regulations.

    • Sufficient color contrast (4.5:1 ratio)
    • Text can be resized up to 200%
    • Consistent navigation across pages
    • Form inputs have visible labels

  • Level AAA

    The highest level of accessibility. Provides enhanced access but may not be achievable for all content types.

    • Sign language for video content
    • Enhanced color contrast (7:1 ratio)
    • No timing limits on content
    • Section headings organize content

The Four Principles of Accessibility

WCAG is organized around four core principles, often remembered by the acronym POUR. These principles ensure web content is accessible to everyone.

  • Perceivable

    Information must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive. This means providing alternatives for non-text content and making it easier to see and hear content.

    • 1.1Text Alternatives

      Provide text alternatives for non-text content

    • 1.2Time-Based Media

      Provide alternatives for audio and video

    • 1.3Adaptable

      Create content that can be presented in different ways

    • 1.4Distinguishable

      Make it easier to see and hear content

  • Operable

    User interface components must be operable. Users must be able to navigate and use your site with various input methods, not just a mouse.

    • 2.1Keyboard Accessible

      Make all functionality available from a keyboard

    • 2.2Enough Time

      Provide users enough time to read and use content

    • 2.3Seizures and Physical Reactions

      Do not design content that causes seizures

    • 2.4Navigable

      Provide ways to help users navigate and find content

    • 2.5Input Modalities

      Make it easier to use inputs beyond keyboard

  • Understandable

    Information and user interface operation must be understandable. Users must be able to understand both the content and how to use the interface.

    • 3.1Readable

      Make text content readable and understandable

    • 3.2Predictable

      Make pages appear and operate in predictable ways

    • 3.3Input Assistance

      Help users avoid and correct mistakes

  • Robust

    Content must be robust enough to be interpreted by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies like screen readers.

    • 4.1Compatible

      Maximize compatibility with current and future user agents

Who Benefits from WCAG?

Approximately 1 in 4 adults in the United States has some type of disability. Accessible websites ensure everyone in your community can access the information and services they need.

  • People with Visual Impairments

    Including those who are blind, have low vision, or are color blind

    • Screen reader users
    • Users who magnify content
    • Those who need high contrast

  • People with Hearing Impairments

    Including those who are deaf or hard of hearing

    • Users who rely on captions
    • Those who need visual alerts
    • Sign language users

  • People with Motor Impairments

    Including those with limited mobility or dexterity

    • Keyboard-only users
    • Voice control users
    • Switch device users

  • People with Cognitive Disabilities

    Including those with learning disabilities, attention disorders, or memory issues

    • Users who need clear navigation
    • Those who need extra time
    • Users who benefit from consistent layouts

  • Older Adults

    Who may experience changes in vision, hearing, motor skills, or cognition

    • Users with declining vision
    • Those with reduced dexterity
    • Users who need larger text

  • Everyone in Certain Situations

    Accessibility features help everyone in various contexts

    • Watching video without sound
    • Using a phone in bright sunlight
    • Navigating with one hand

How Commons Kit Helps You Stay Compliant

Commons Kit is built from the ground up to meet WCAG 2.2 AA standards, so you can focus on serving your community without worrying about accessibility compliance.

Built-In Accessibility

  • Semantic HTML structure for screen readers
  • Keyboard navigation throughout
  • Proper color contrast ratios
  • Focus indicators on interactive elements
  • Skip navigation links

Compliance Tester in Page Builder

  • Real-time accessibility checking as you build
  • Automated detection of common issues
  • Suggested fixes for accessibility problems
  • Color contrast analyzer
  • Alt text reminders for images

Accessibility Without the Complexity

With Commons Kit, you don't need to be an accessibility expert. Our platform handles the technical requirements automatically, and our built-in compliance tester helps ensure your content meets WCAG standards before you publish.

WCAG 2.2 AA Quick Reference

Here are the key requirements for WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance, organized by principle.

1. Perceivable

  • 1.1.1Non-text content has text alternatives
  • 1.2.1Audio/video-only content has alternatives
  • 1.2.2Videos have captions
  • 1.2.3Videos have audio description or text alternative
  • 1.2.4Live videos have captions
  • 1.2.5Pre-recorded videos have audio descriptions
  • 1.3.1Information and relationships are programmatically determinable
  • 1.3.2Meaningful reading sequence is preserved
  • 1.3.3Instructions don’t rely solely on sensory characteristics
  • 1.3.4Content doesn’t restrict display orientation
  • 1.3.5Input fields identify their purpose
  • 1.4.1Color is not the only visual means of conveying information
  • 1.4.2Audio can be paused, stopped, or volume controlled
  • 1.4.3Text has at least 4.5:1 contrast ratio
  • 1.4.4Text can be resized to 200% without loss of content
  • 1.4.5Images of text are avoided when possible
  • 1.4.10Content reflows at 400% zoom
  • 1.4.11Non-text content has 3:1 contrast ratio
  • 1.4.12Text spacing can be adjusted
  • 1.4.13Hover/focus content is dismissible and persistent

2. Operable

  • 2.1.1All functionality is keyboard accessible
  • 2.1.2No keyboard traps
  • 2.1.4Character key shortcuts can be disabled
  • 2.2.1Timing is adjustable
  • 2.2.2Moving content can be paused, stopped, or hidden
  • 2.3.1No content flashes more than 3 times per second
  • 2.4.1Blocks of content can be skipped
  • 2.4.2Pages have descriptive titles
  • 2.4.3Focus order is logical and meaningful
  • 2.4.4Link purpose is clear from text or context
  • 2.4.5Multiple ways to find pages
  • 2.4.6Headings and labels are descriptive
  • 2.4.7Focus is visible
  • 2.4.11Focus is not obscured (minimum)
  • 2.5.1Multipoint gestures have single-pointer alternatives
  • 2.5.2Pointer activation can be cancelled
  • 2.5.3Visible labels are in accessible names
  • 2.5.4Motion-based functions have alternatives
  • 2.5.7Dragging has single-pointer alternatives
  • 2.5.8Target size is at least 24x24 CSS pixels

3. Understandable

  • 3.1.1Page language is identified
  • 3.1.2Parts in other languages are identified
  • 3.2.1Focus doesn’t cause unexpected changes
  • 3.2.2Input doesn’t cause unexpected changes
  • 3.2.3Navigation is consistent
  • 3.2.4Components are identified consistently
  • 3.2.6Consistent help is available
  • 3.3.1Errors are identified and described
  • 3.3.2Labels or instructions are provided
  • 3.3.3Error suggestions are provided
  • 3.3.4Legal/financial submissions are reversible
  • 3.3.7Redundant entry is avoided
  • 3.3.8Accessible authentication is available

4. Robust

  • 4.1.2Custom components have proper names, roles, values
  • 4.1.3Status messages are announced to assistive technology

Build an Accessible Website for Your Community

Commons Kit makes WCAG compliance effortless. Our platform is built with accessibility at its core, so every site you create meets the highest standards.

Request a DemoLearn More About Commons Kit

Cookie settings