Are you a web developer or designer who wants to create inclusive products? Or are you confused about what accessibility means and why it matters in your work? Don’t worry, WCAG 2.1 has got you covered! In this blog, we will be exploring the latest web accessibility guidelines and what they mean for you.

What is WCAG 2.1 🤔

WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, which are a set of guidelines provided by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to make web content accessible to people with disabilities. The latest version, 2.1, was released in 2018 and includes 17 new criteria, making it even more comprehensive than the previous version, WCAG 2.0.

WCAG Levels 🎓

WCAG has three levels of accessibility: A (minimum), AA (mid-range), and AAA (highest). Each level includes the previous level’s guidelines as well as its own. The higher the level, the more accessible the content.

A photo of someone holding a key to success with the letters "AAA" on it represents the three levels of accessibility.

The Four Principles of WCAG 2.1 🙌

WCAG 2.1 is built upon four principles of accessibility: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR). Let’s go over each one in more detail.

Perceivable 👀

This principle focuses on ensuring that users can perceive and distinguish the interface’s content. For instance, all text should be easily readable, and images and videos should have captions and alternative text for those with hearing or visual impairments.

Tips

  • Avoid using images as text 😵
  • Use contrasting colors for text and background 🎨
  • Provide captions and alternative text for images and videos 📽️

An image of a screen with accessible text, images, and videos represents the perceivable principle.

Operable 🖱️

This principle focuses on ensuring that users can operate and interact with the interface easily. For example, users should be able to use a keyboard or other assistive technologies to navigate the website.

Tips

  • Use keyboard-friendly controls 🎹
  • Provide clear instructions and feedback 📝
  • Avoid automatic pop-ups or moving content 🚫

An image of a keyboard with an open laptop representing the operable principle.

Understandable 🧐

This principle focuses on ensuring that the interface’s content and operation are easy to understand. For instance, the website should use simple language and avoid technical jargon.

Tips

  • Use clear and concise language 🗣️
  • Keep the website organized and easy to navigate 🗺️
  • Avoid complex vocabularies and technical terms 🙅

An image of a website with simple language and clear organization representing the understandable principle.

Robust 💪

This principle focuses on ensuring that the website remains compatible with current and future technologies. For instance, the website should be compatible with different browsers and devices and follow up-to-date coding standards.

Tips

  • Use modern web technologies 🔧
  • Adhere to coding standards and specifications 📊
  • Test the website on different browsers and devices 📱💻

An image of a website coded using up-to-date standards representing the robust principle.

Conclusion 🎉

WCAG 2.1 provides a comprehensive set of guidelines for making web content accessible to everyone. Remember to follow the four principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust, to create inclusive products. By making web content more accessible, we can provide everyone with equal access to information and participation. So go ahead, put on your accessibility hat and start designing for all today! 🌟

An image of a diverse group of people using the internet together represents the accessibility of web content.