This month, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) turned 20 years old. WCAG version 1.0 was published on May 5, 1999 and was a total game-changer for web accessibility. Today, WCAG version 2.1 is cemented as the gold standard in accessibility. So, how did we get here?
WCAG is a set of specific standards designed to make the web more accessible to people with disabilities. It is on its third version, updated over the years to account for changes in web-based digital technology, assistive technology, design and development trends, and the growth of the mobile web. It is published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) in collaboration with individuals and organizations within the global accessibility community according to the W3C Process.
WCAG offers an actionable framework for creating or remediating websites and apps to be accessible. It is not abstract, but specific and technical, and is supported by documentation that identifies methods and techniques that would be considered to pass or fail the minimum accessibility expectations of each checkpoint. WCAG is broken into four guiding principles, which state that web content must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
Developed for content creators, content authoring tool developers, accessibility testers and test tool developers, and anyone who wants to understand how to make digital experiences accessible, WCAG is used all over the world.
"Rarely does a single document have such a direct impact on people’s lives, but the guidance that WCAG provides allows developers and content creators to include people who have historically been excluded from digital experiences," said Mark Shapiro, President of the Bureau of Internet Accessibility.
We believe our comprehensive testing strategy provides the best path to achieving, maintaining, and proving digital compliance. Our four-point hybrid testing combines the best of human and artificial intelligence. Learn about our four-point hybrid testing.
For information on how we apply WCAG to identify the actual accessibility barriers people may face, check out the following five-part series:
Talk to us to learn how we can customize a unique accessibility strategy to meet your needs. Or, get started with a free website accessibility scan.