Basic Guide for Web Accessibility

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2

This guide follows the standards found in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2. There is a new 3.0 standard that is in draft stages, but it builds on the foundation laid out in the previous drafts. This guide will be updated to reflect the changes as they come.

The WCAG is developed by the World Wide Web Consortium: "The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an international community that develops open standards to ensure the long-term growth of the Web."

Why do we care about accessibility? 

In order to reach the broadest number of people, user experience needs to be the first consideration of web design. When we design for designers or others who understand the meta-language of our content, the website or guide may not be easily read by other people.

Inclusive design not only reaches people with disabilities, but it also makes your website accessible to English language learners, seniors and younger people.

Why this guide?

The rules in this guide have been simplified from the WCAG 2.2 wording to ensure that anyone can follow them without having to know any specialized jargon.

Each of the rules is then linked to a page called "Understanding Success Criterion X.X.X". These pages show how users can be affected by certain problems and examples of how to avoid them are given.

Many of these rules may not apply to LibGuides, but consider them when you are designing in other programs or creating images for the website and social media. Also, when considering resources for a Subject Guide, check these guidelines to make sure the most accessible materials are included.

The WCAG 2.2 creates standards (called Success Criterion) based on three grade levels: A, AA and AAA. 

"A" is the most basic level of adherence. To meet this level, you must address the issues presented in all of the applicable A levels. If a particular standard cannot be applied due to external 3rd party issues, than you can still reach partial conformance in the A level. An external alternative can also be used, if possible, and full compliance can be reached.

"AA" means that a website/LibGuide includes ALL of the A levels and the AA levels that are in the standards.

"AAA" means that all A and AA levels have been met, as well as the additional AAA levels that are in the standards.

The WCAG 3.0 is switching to a bronze/silver/gold levels of conformance in order to better address the needs of people with disabilities and to get web designers to keep on improving the use of their websites.