The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the global benchmark for digital accessibility. Over the years, multiple versions of these guidelines have been released:
- WCAG 1.0 – Published in 1999
- WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 – Released in 2008, 2018, and 2023/2024 respectively
- WCAG 3 – Currently in development
A website's accessibility is assessed based on which WCAG version it follows (e.g., WCAG 2.1) and what level of conformance it meets:
- Level A – Meets the most basic accessibility requirements.
- Level AA – Addresses major accessibility barriers and is the standard required by most regulations.
- Level AAA – The most comprehensive standard, typically adopted by critical services such as government and healthcare websites.
For most businesses, Level AA is the recommended standard to comply with legal requirements like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the European Accessibility Act (EAA). Level AAA is considered an aspirational goal but is often adopted by public sector organisations such as government agencies and the NHS.
Example: WCAG 2.0 and Colour Contrast
WCAG 2.0 includes a guideline on colour contrast between text and background (e.g., on buttons):
- AA Standard: Requires a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1.
- AAA Standard: Requires a higher minimum contrast ratio of 7:1.
If your website’s buttons have a minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio, they conform to WCAG 2.0 AA standard.
European Accessibility Compliance (EAA & EN 301 549)
The EAA does not define its own technical standards but relies on EN 301 549, the European digital accessibility standard. This standard fully integrates WCAG 2.1, meaning that websites and apps within the EU should conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
It is anticipated that WCAG 2.2 will be adopted in the near future, making it advisable to align with these updated standards. Doing so ensures a better user experience, keeps your website compliant with future regulations, and future-proofs your digital content. To find out why EAA matters, have a read of this blog post.
Looking Ahead: WCAG 3
The development of WCAG 3 highlights that accessibility is an ongoing process. While it will likely retain many existing guidelines, its evolution reinforces the need for continuous improvements in web accessibility.
If you’d like to discuss the EAA, WCAG and the impact on your website, please get in contact with the team at Conscious on sales@conscious.co.uk.