When you’re building a website, it’s easy to get caught up in the details of design, functionality, and making everything look just right. But what about accessibility? That’s where the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) come in. Think of WCAG as your go-to checklist for making sure your website is open and usable for everyone, including people with disabilities.
Accessibility isn’t just a “nice-to-have” anymore—it’s essential. Whether you’re trying to avoid lawsuits, comply with laws like the ADA, or make your site more welcoming, understanding WCAG conformance levels can help you figure out how high you should aim. Let’s break down the basics, explore the three levels—A, AA, and AAA—and help you find the sweet spot for your website.
What is WCAG?
WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, but don’t let the formal name intimidate you. These guidelines are basically a roadmap for making websites, apps, and digital content work for everyone—whether someone has a disability or not. Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), WCAG focuses on four key principles: making content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust (POUR). Think of it as a checklist to ensure your site is usable for as many people as possible.
And it’s not just for developers! WCAG applies to everyone involved in building a website—from designers to writers—because accessibility goes beyond code. Whether it’s adding captions to videos, ensuring color contrast, or simplifying navigation, these small changes can make a huge difference in how people experience your site. At its core, WCAG is about creating a better internet for everyone.
Why Should You Care About WCAG Conformance?
So, why should WCAG be on your radar? For starters, it’s about reaching more people. Accessibility isn’t just for those with disabilities—it benefits everyone. Captions help folks watching a video on mute, high contrast is great for users in bright sunlight, and clear navigation makes life easier for anyone trying to find what they need. In other words, an accessible website is just a better website.
Then there’s the legal side of things. If you’re in the U.S., laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) expect your site to meet certain accessibility standards, and WCAG is the go-to guide for that. Ignoring these guidelines could land you in hot water with lawsuits or fines—and let’s face it, no one wants that kind of stress.
But it’s not just about avoiding trouble. Prioritizing accessibility can actually boost your brand, build trust, and improve your site’s performance overall. Making your website accessible shows your users you care, and that can set you apart in a big way.
Breaking Down the WCAG Conformance Levels
WCAG isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. It’s divided into three levels—A, AA, and AAA—each with its own set of requirements. Here’s what you need to know about each one:
Level A: Covering the Basics
Level A is like the starter pack for accessibility. It focuses on the most basic barriers that prevent people from accessing your site. For example:
- Adding alternative text (alt text) to images.
- Making sure everything can be used with just a keyboard.
- Avoiding flashing content that could trigger seizures.
If your website meets Level A, you’re covering the bare minimum. But let’s be real—it’s not enough to provide a great experience for most users. Think of Level A as the foundation you build on, not the end goal.
Level AA: The Sweet Spot
Level AA is where things start to get serious. It’s the most widely recommended level and is often what the law requires. With Level AA, you’re tackling more detailed issues like:
- Make sure the text has enough contrast with the background so it’s easy to read.
- Ensuring your navigation is consistent and clear.
- Providing captions for videos so they’re accessible to people with hearing impairments.
For most websites, Level AA hits the perfect balance—it’s achievable, practical, and covers a wide range of accessibility needs. If you’re wondering how high to aim, this is probably your answer.
Level AAA: The Extra Mile
Level AAA is like the platinum package. It’s the highest level of accessibility, but it’s also the hardest to achieve. Some of the requirements include:
- Offering sign language interpretation for video content.
- Make sure your site works well even under very specific conditions, like extreme contrast ratios.
While Level AAA is an amazing goal, it’s not realistic for every website. Even the W3C acknowledges that hitting this level for all content isn’t always possible. Instead, focus on what’s achievable for your site and audience, and aim for AAA features where you can.
How High Should You Aim?
So, where should you set your sights? For most organizations, Level AA is the way to go. It’s the legal standard in many places, including the U.S., and it covers most accessibility needs without overcomplicating things.
However, your target might depend on your audience and industry. For example:
- Government Websites: Usually aim for Level AA or higher since they serve a broad, diverse audience.
- Online Stores: Need to make sure people can easily browse and buy products, so Level AA is essential.
- Educational Platforms: Sometimes, we need to go beyond Level AA to ensure equitable access to learning materials.
If you’re running a small business or personal site, don’t stress about hitting Level AAA. Instead, focus on meeting Level AA and improving over time. Remember, accessibility is a journey, not a one-and-done task.
What Makes Level AAA So Hard?
Achieving Level AAA isn’t just difficult—it often forces you to make compromises that can impact your site’s usability and aesthetics. For example, meeting AAA contrast requirements might mean overhauling your brand’s carefully chosen color scheme. Or you might have to simplify complex content so much that it loses its original value or appeal.
It’s a delicate balancing act. On one hand, you want your site to be as accessible as possible. On the other hand, you need to ensure it remains engaging, functional, and true to your brand. For most organizations, focusing on Level AA strikes the best balance, ensuring broad accessibility without requiring sacrifices that could alienate other users or disrupt the site’s purpose.
That said, Level AAA isn’t all or nothing. While it may not be practical to achieve across the board, incorporating some AAA features—like avoiding overly complicated language or providing additional customization options—can still enhance your site and make it more inclusive. The key is to aim high without losing sight of what works best for your audience and goals.
Keeping Your Website WCAG Compliant
Meeting WCAG standards isn’t a one-time thing. Websites evolve, and so do accessibility needs. Here’s how you can stay on top of it:
Regularly Audit Your Site
Run accessibility audits often to catch issues early. Tools like Google Lighthouse or WAVE are a great start, but don’t stop there—getting feedback from actual users with disabilities can give you insights you won’t find anywhere else.
Train Your Team
Accessibility isn’t just for developers. Designers, content creators, and even marketers should understand the basics of WCAG. The more your team knows, the easier it’ll be to stay compliant.
Make Accessibility Part of Your Process
Don’t wait until the end of a project to think about accessibility. Include it in every step—from planning and design to testing and deployment.
Use Accessibility Tools
Tools like screen readers and color contrast analyzers can help you spot problems before they become major issues. These tools are easy to use and can make a big difference.
Stay Up-to-Date
WCAG updates from time to time to reflect new technology and user needs. Keep an eye on these changes and adjust your strategy as needed.
Achieve WCAG Conformance with 216digital
When it comes to WCAG conformance, aiming for Level AA is usually the smart move. It’s realistic, effective, and ensures you’re meeting the needs of most users. If you can, sprinkle in some Level AAA features to go the extra mile.
Making your website accessible isn’t just about ticking off a checklist—it’s about creating a welcoming space for everyone. With regular updates, audits, and a commitment to accessibility, you’ll not only meet the standards but also build a site people love to use.
If you’re unsure where to begin or want to check your progress, 216digital is here to help. Schedule an ADA briefing with our team to learn how we can help you achieve WCAG conformance, lower your legal risks, and create a better experience for all your users.
Take the first step today—because accessibility isn’t just a requirement, it’s an opportunity to make your website better for everyone.