What Is WCAG and Should I Follow It?

 If you’ve been reading about website accessibility, you’ve probably seen the acronym WCAG pop up over and over again. It sounds a bit like a secret code — but it’s actually something every website owner, developer, and content creator should know.

WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Think of it as the universal rulebook for making your website usable for everyone, including people with disabilities.

In this article, we’ll explore:

1. What WCAG is and who created it

2. Why WCAG matters

3. The four principles of WCAG

4. The three levels of WCAG compliance

5. Why WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the recommended target

6. Benefits of following WCAG

7. How to get started with WCAG compliance

8. Common myths about WCAG

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1. What WCAG Is and Who Created It

WCAG (pronounced Wuh-cag) is short for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. It’s a set of recommendations developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) — the organization responsible for making the internet work in a consistent, open way.

The guidelines were first introduced in 1999 and have been updated several times:

• WCAG 1.0 — 1999

• WCAG 2.0 — 2008

• WCAG 2.1 — 2018

• WCAG 2.2 — 2023

The most widely used version right now is WCAG 2.1, with many organizations beginning to adopt 2.2.

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2. Why WCAG Matters

The internet is for everyone — but without accessibility guidelines, many people would be left out. WCAG provides a clear, structured framework to make sure websites, apps, and digital content are:

• Accessible to people with disabilities

• Usable on different devices and platforms

• Understandable for diverse audiences

It’s not just about ethics — in many countries, WCAG is baked into laws and regulations. For example:

• In the USA, the ADA and Section 508 reference WCAG.

• In the UK, the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations align with WCAG.

• In the EU, EN 301 549 uses WCAG as its web accessibility standard.

Following WCAG helps you stay legal, inclusive, and future-proof.

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3. The Four Principles of WCAG

WCAG is built on four core principles. Remember the acronym POUR:

P — Perceivable

Information must be presented in ways people can see or hear.
Examples:

• Add alt text to images so screen readers can describe them.

• Provide captions for videos.

• Ensure good color contrast for text.

O — Operable

Users must be able to navigate and interact with the site.
Examples:

• Make sure menus can be used with a keyboard.

• Avoid flashing elements that could cause seizures.

• Provide enough time to complete forms before they time out.

U — Understandable

Content and interfaces should be easy to read and predictable.
Examples:

• Use plain language.

• Keep navigation consistent.

• Explain unusual words or abbreviations.

R — Robust

Content must work well with current and future assistive technologies.
Examples:

• Use clean HTML code.

• Test with screen readers.

• Follow web standards so your site doesn’t “break” in certain browsers.

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4. The Three Levels of WCAG Compliance

WCAG is divided into three levels, each with increasing requirements:

• Level A — The most basic accessibility features. Without these, many users can’t access content at all.

• Level AA — Addresses the most common accessibility barriers. This is the recommended target for most organizations.

• Level AAA — The highest standard, offering the most accessible experience possible. While excellent, it’s not always practical for every page or site.

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5. Why WCAG 2.1 Level AA Is the Recommended Target

Most organizations aim for WCAG 2.1 Level AA because:

• It’s recognized globally as a solid, achievable standard.

• It meets legal requirements in many countries.

• It balances inclusivity with practicality — Level AAA can be very resource-intensive.

Some examples of Level AA requirements:

• Minimum color contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for text.

• Text that can be resized up to 200% without losing content or function.

• Captions for all live and prerecorded video.

• Clear focus indicators for links and buttons.

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6. Benefits of Following WCAG

Following WCAG isn’t just about avoiding lawsuits. It brings real benefits:

• Bigger audience — More people can use your site, including those with disabilities.

• Better SEO — Search engines prefer well-structured, accessible content.

• Improved user experience — Clearer navigation and content helps everyone.

• Future readiness — Your site works better with new devices and technologies.

• Positive brand image — Being inclusive builds trust and loyalty.

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7. How to Get Started with WCAG Compliance

You don’t have to become a web accessibility expert overnight. Start small and build over time.

Step 1: Learn the Basics
Read the plain-language version of WCAG 2.1 from the W3C website.

Step 2: Test Your Site
Use free tools like:

• WAVE — Highlights accessibility issues on your pages.

• axe DevTools — For Chrome/Firefox users.

• Lighthouse — Built into Chrome Developer Tools.

Step 3: Fix the Quick Wins

• Add alt text.

• Improve heading structure.

• Check and adjust color contrast.

Step 4: Plan for Ongoing Accessibility

• Make accessibility part of your content publishing checklist.

• Train your team.

• Re-test regularly.

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8. Common Myths About WCAG

Myth 1: Accessibility is only for blind users
Reality: WCAG covers all disabilities — visual, hearing, motor, cognitive, and more.

Myth 2: Following WCAG ruins creativity
Reality: Accessibility and beautiful design can go hand-in-hand.

Myth 3: It’s too expensive
Reality: Many WCAG fixes are free if you do them yourself — and the investment pays off.

Myth 4: It’s a one-time task
Reality: Accessibility is ongoing. Every time you publish something new, check it’s accessible.

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Final Thoughts

WCAG is not just a checklist — it’s the blueprint for an inclusive internet.

By aiming for WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance, you:

• Make your site perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.

• Serve a wider audience.

• Protect your brand from legal and reputational risks.

• Show the world you care about everyone’s right to access information.

In short: Yes, you should follow WCAG. Not because you have to, but because it’s the right thing to do — and it will make your website better for all users.