Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

Why Do They Matter?

But what are the WCAG? Why do they matter?

Simply put, the WCAG are a series of recommendations on how to make web content more accessible to people with a disability. This ranges from making accommodations for blindness and low vision to making accommodations for cognitive limitations and learning disabilities. The range of disabilities that the WCAG seeks to address is broad, however, it does not address every disability. Nevertheless, it is a positive step towards making web content more accessible to users in general.

As a series of recommendations, the WCAG does not legally bind any state, company or private individual. In other words, no obligations stem from the WCAG. It is simply a document containing a series of recommendations that the Web Accessibility Initiative – who publishes it – would like to see implemented.

However, it is worth noting that while the WCAG itself is not binding, it does form part of the Web Accessibility Directive which is binding on EU Member States.

For more information on the WCAG and the conformance levels, we recommend taking a look at the guidelines but we do have a blog post 'What is the difference between WCAG A, AA and AAA' that explains this simply. We also have a blog post on 'Understanding the POUR Principles of Accessibility' that is relevant when it comes to compliance.

What is the Web Accessibility Directive? (WAD)

Overview

The Web Accessibility Directive is a piece of European Union (EU) legislation that requires all websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies to conform with WCAG 2.1 Level AA.

EU law supersedes all other laws that exist in EU Member States – even their constitutions. When the EU wants to enact a piece of legislation, there are multiple ways that they can go about doing so. One such way is through the use of directives.

Vially is here to help ensure WCAG Compliance

We’re here to help with all things digital accessibility. If you have questions just email hello@vially.io and we’ll be happy to help.

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