Web Accessibility Compliance Overview
<span WCAG Web Accessibility compliance
When discussing website accessibility standards, one of the most common terms you’ll encounter is WCAG.
WCAG, short for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, comprises a comprehensive set of technical requirements designed to ensure that web-based content, including websites and web applications, is accessible to users of all abilities. This includes individuals with disabilities who rely on assistive technology. The primary objective is to establish a unified global standard for web accessibility.
The WCAG guidelines are developed and released by the Web Accessibility Initiative, which operates under the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the principal international standards organization for the internet.
It’s essential to understand the WCAG itself is not a piece of legislation. Therefore, adhering to its guidelines is often referred to as ‘WCAG compliance.’ Nevertheless, WCAG standards have been incorporated into numerous global laws, including Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Achieving conformance with WCAG standards is widely regarded as the recommended legal best practice for complying with most global web accessibility regulations.
The WCAG Principles
WCAG’s accessibility standards are founded on four core principles, often referred to as POUR:
Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presented in ways that users can perceive. This includes offering adaptable features like adjustable color contrast, font sizes, or captions for videos.
Operable: User interface components and navigation must be functional for users, allowing them to operate with various input methods, such as keyboards or voice commands, rather than relying solely on a mouse.
Understandable: Information and user interface operation should be clear and comprehensible. It involves providing clear instructions and easily understandable navigation methods.
Robust: Content must be designed to remain reliably interpretable by various users and assistive technologies as technologies evolve.
WCAG Conformance Levels
WCAG offers three conformance levels: A, AA, and AAA. Each level builds upon the previous one, creating a pyramid structure. To meet Level AA, all Level A requirements must be fulfilled, and to achieve Level AAA, all Level AA criteria must be met.
Level A: This represents the fundamental level of conformance, providing essential benefits to a broad user base. However, it may not address all barriers affecting specific user groups.
Level AA: Often considered the primary target for conformance, it caters to a broader user base, including those who use assistive technology.
Level AAA: This is the highest attainable conformance level, encompassing success criteria from all three levels. It may not be applicable in all situations, and organizations can choose specific criteria from this level.
Adhering to WCAG Standards
WCAG standards evolve alongside digital advancements. WCAG 2.0 was published in 2008, followed by WCAG 2.1 in 2018 and WCAG 2.2 in October 2023. Each update is backward compatible, meaning it builds upon the previous version with additional standards.
For instance, WCAG 2.1 introduced criteria for improved mobile and small-screen experiences, enhancing accessibility for people with various disabilities. WCAG 2.2 further extends these criteria.
Due to this backward compatibility, conforming to WCAG 2.1 also ensures compliance with WCAG 2.0.
WCAG compatibility aligns with ADA and AODA compliance in many aspects. Meeting one set of accessibility standards paves the way for compliance with others.
The W3C encourages organizations to adopt the latest WCAG version as best practices. This ensures improved accessibility for all users and keeps organizations up-to-date with their legal digital accessibility compliance efforts.
<span ADA Web Accessibility compliance (USA)
Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that businesses make ‘reasonable modifications’ to provide access
to individuals with disabilities across all aspects of public life, including the digital realm.
The ADA isn’t a set of standards; it is U.S.-based legislation that compels private websites to adhere to the WCAG 2.1 Accessibility Guidelines.
What Sets ADA and Section 508 Apart?
Both ADA and Section 508 are American legislations aligned with the global WCAG 2.1 accessibility guidelines.
However, Section 508 applies to government websites and federally funded entities, while ADA extends its impact to the entire private sector.
How to Ensure ADA Compliance for Your Website
When it comes to achieving ADA compliance and making your website accessible, the recommended approach is to adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
WCAG comprises a set of technical standards that, when implemented, ensure that online content is accessible to users of all abilities.
In essence, WCAG standards emphasize that a website should be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
As the universally recognized standard, WCAG consistently serves as the benchmark for accessibility.
Aligning your website with WCAG standards is considered the optimal approach for complying with laws such as the ADA,
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and others.
<span Section 508 Web Accessibility compliance (USA)
Section 508 is official U.S. legislation that mandates accessibility requirements for information and communication technology (ICT) funded by federal resources and for third-party service providers catering to federal entities.
These entities encompass universities, public and private schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and more.
Section 508 explicitly outlines that websites receiving federal funding, as well as related third-party providers, must adhere to the WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
How to Achieve Section 508 Compliance for Your Website and ICT
In 2018, Section 508 underwent a revision, embracing the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as the mandated web accessibility standard. To be precise, ICT (Information and Communication Technology) must adhere to WCAG 2.1 AA. A useful starting point for your journey toward Section 508 compliance is to employ a WCAG checklist.
Due to its adoption within global regulations, including Section 508, WCAG has emerged as the international standard for web accessibility. Ensuring Section 508 compliance necessitates alignment with WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
<span AODA Web Accessibility compliance (Canada)
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, often referred to as AODA, was enacted in 2005 by provincial authorities in Ontario, Canada. Its primary goal was to address the issue of inadequate accessibility to services within the province. One significant aspect of AODA is its clear mandate for website accessibility compliance, aligning with the W3C’s WCAG 2.1 Guidelines, which is a common foundation for web accessibility legislation.
Is Your Business Affected by AODA Legislation?
If your business is registered in Ontario, Canada, then the answer is yes. AODA specifies that its regulations apply to all websites based in Ontario, regardless of whether they are federally funded or privately operated by individuals and corporations.
5 Key Facts About AODA Compliance
AODA’s Broad Applicability: AODA, regardless of an organization’s size or industry, extends its reach to all entities registered in Ontario. It establishes accessibility standards in five pivotal domains: customer service, employment, information and communications, transportation, and public spaces.
AODA and Web Content: AODA mandates that public web content created after 2012, including websites, applications, and digital documents, must adhere to the technical requirements of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 (more details on WCAG below).
Compliance Deadlines: Public sector organizations of any size and private organizations with 50 or more employees were required to ensure their public-facing web content met WCAG 2.0 Level AA success criteria by January 1, 2021.
Accessibility Compliance Reports: Businesses and nonprofits with 20 or more employees needed to submit an accessibility compliance report to the Government of Ontario, confirming their adherence to AODA requirements by June 30, 2021.
Penalties for Non-Compliance: Failure to comply with AODA may lead to fines, with penalties of up to $50,000 per day for individuals and up to $100,000 per day for corporations (more on penalties below).
WCAG: The Standard for AODA Compliance
To meet AODA’s web accessibility requirements, all web content must conform to WCAG 2.0 AA success criteria. There are two exceptions: criteria 1.2.4 (live captions) and criteria 1.2.5 (audio descriptions).
<span DDA Web Accessibility compliance (Australia)
DDA, or ‘Disability Discrimination Act,’ was introduced by the Australian Parliament in 1992 to protect the rights of people with disabilities in areas such as housing, education, and service provision. It references WCAG 2.1 as the standard for creating accessible websites.
The DDA is complemented by Disability Standards and Guidelines, which detail rights and responsibilities for equal access.
Who Needs to Comply?
Per section 9 of the DTA (Digital Transformation Agency of the Australian Government), public sector websites must ensure accessibility for all users.
What About the Private Sector?
Failure to provide equal access may lead to complaints with the Australian Human Rights Commission, making private sectors susceptible to legal action.
The National Transition Strategy
The Australian Government’s Web Accessibility National Transition Strategy (NTS) mandates that all web entities, spanning government agencies and public-serving organizations, including private businesses, must adhere to WCAG 2.0 Level AA.
WCAG, which stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, initially originated in the United States. Its primary objective is to establish a universal standard for web content accessibility. This standard, upon which the DDA is built, offers comprehensive guidance on enhancing website accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
<span EQA Web Accessibility compliance (UK)
The European Accessibility Act (EAA/EQA) is a relatively recent piece of EU legislation, published in 2019, aimed at ensuring accessibility for digital products and services.
EN 301549, a policy document developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), serves as the official EU standard for web accessibility.
As per the EAA/EQA, privately owned websites within Europe are mandated to achieve accessibility and adhere to its requirements by June 28, 2025.
The EAA/EQA explicitly recognizes the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and its widely accepted WCAG accessibility guidelines. Consequently, WCAG’s requirements are considered a valid solution for complying with the EAA/EQA legislation.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA/EQA) establishes consistent accessibility requirements for Member States at the EU level. These requirements encompass a wide range of products and services, spanning from e-commerce websites to computer operating systems. The primary aim of the EAA is to ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to more inclusive products and services in the market, including those available online.
The proposal for the EAA/EQA was initially introduced in 2011 and received official adoption by the EU in 2019.
Member states within the EU must incorporate the EAA/EQA directive into their national laws by June 2022, with enforcement mandated by July 2025.
In practice, many EU member states are likely to align with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These guidelines, developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), offer detailed guidance on web accessibility. They provide instructions and information to help websites achieve compliance. While there are multiple levels of WCAG compliance, it is anticipated that most businesses will target WCAG Level AA.
<span BIVT Web Accessibility compliance (Germany)
The name BIVT, which stands for ‘Barrierefreie Informationstechnik-Verordnung,’ translates to ‘barrier-free information technology regulation.’ It was enacted on September 22, 2011, and is a federal ordinance rooted in the German Act on Equal Opportunities for Disabled Persons of 2002.
BIVT is designed to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access all online content and services offered by German federal institutions.
Who Must Adhere to BITV?
The BITV requirements are mandatory for German federal government websites. Additionally, the government encourages state and local agencies, as well as commercial providers, to create accessible websites.
The BGG and BITV Explained
Germany has two key laws related to web accessibility. The first is the Disability Equality Act (BGG).
Next, there’s BITV 2.0, or the Federal Ordinance on Barrier-Free Information Technology (Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung). This ordinance ensures unrestricted access to information and communication technology for all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
It’s important to note that European web accessibility standards (EN 301-549) are also integrated into BITV 2.0. This implies that German websites must go beyond the typical requirements and publish an accessibility statement detailing any areas where the site doesn’t meet the required standards.
BITV 2.0, the German regulation for accessible information technology, aligns with Germany’s Federal Disabled Equalization Law (BGG). This ordinance, like BGG, guarantees equal access to information and communication technology for everyone, irrespective of their abilities.
The BITV was initially established in July 2002 after the passage of BGG. It was based on the original Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 1.0), which serves as the standard for web accessibility. In September 2011, BITV 2.0 was introduced, aligning with the latest standards for accessible web content, specifically WCAG 2.0.
Once again, it’s worth emphasizing that European web accessibility standards are included in BITV 2.0, requiring German websites to disclose any areas of non-compliance in an accessibility statement.
<span RGAA Web Accessibility compliance (France)
On February 11, 2005, the French Parliament enacted the ‘Equal Rights and Opportunities of People with Disabilities’ law, also known as RGAA, which is aligned with WCAG 2.1.
RGAA is designed to establish a framework to ensure digital content accessibility.
Its current iteration serves as a reference system for confirming adherence to international WCAG 2.1 standards. It offers criteria and tests to verify compliance with accessibility rules.
RGAA recommends a level of AA for conformance.
Who Is Obligated to Follow RGAA?
The 2005 law mandates that all online public communication services provided by the State, local authorities, and associated public institutions must comply. Additionally, any organization, whether public or private, engaged in activities of general interest under public supervision is subject to compliance.
Explaining Law N° 2005-102
In early 2005, France enacted Law N° 2005-102, which safeguards the equal rights and opportunities of disabled citizens in that country. This law encompasses both physical and online accessibility.
To ensure digital compliance with the law, France employs the Référentiel Général d’Accessibilité pour les Administrations (RGAA), a certification standard for public websites in the country. RGAA outlines the necessary requirements for websites to adhere to digital regulations.
RGAA is rooted in WCAG 2.0 guidelines but incorporates additional accessibility requirements. This includes the implementation of unit tests and the obligation to publish an accessibility statement. Unit tests provide the means to assess compliance with accessibility standards.