About WCAG Overview and principles

WCAG

• WCAG Overview

  The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines provide guidelines and Success Criteria for each corresponding standard to create inclusive digital environments; particularly so people with disabilities have the broadest possible access to content and services.
  

  • There are three levels of conformance, rated from minimally inclusive to broadly inclusive:
    • A - minimum level of conformance and effort
    • AA - average conformance and effort
      
    • AAA - broadest conformance and effort
  • Unfortunately there's not a one -to-one relationship between each criterion and its corresponding standard
    • they are applied across all of the technologies that create the digital accessibility landscape
    • the steps to show conformance will vary with each application of the corresponding technology
    • this may cause confusion as it allows for interpretation in proving conformance

  Best Practice:  avoid barriers between your consumers and the corresponding content and technologies.  This will naturally meet higher WCAG standards, increase usability (and for web applications and content -- will improve Search Engine Optimization).

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• WCAG's Four Principles

  1. Perceivable - Users should be able to perceive the content, functionality, and methodology presented. These guidelines are in section 1.
  2. Operable - Users should be able to operate the interface, including the navigation and processes. These guidelines are in section 2.
  3. Understandable - Users should be able to understand the  functionality, methodology, and information presented. These guidelines are in section 3.
  4. Robust - Content and functionality should be robust and work with multiple methods interaction including voice and assistive technologies. These guidelines are in section 4.

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