What is WCAG 2.2 and why should it be used in accessibility guidelines?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) represent the globally recognized standard for digital accessibility. The latest version, WCAG 2.2, introduces expanded guidelines for improving the accessibility of digital content. Learn more about the new features of WCAG 2.2, their significance for companies and organizations, and suitable testing tools for checking accessibility.
What is WCAG 2.2?
WCAG 2.2 is the latest version of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines developed by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines provide recommendations for making digital content more accessible to all users, especially people with disabilities.
WCAG 2.2: Publication and background
WCAG 2.2 was developed to further improve existing guidelines and address specific barriers that were not adequately addressed in WCAG 2.1. The official release took place in 2023. The new success criteria in WCAG 2.2 expand on previous versions and focus in particular on people with cognitive impairments, visual impairments, and motor impairments.
Why use WCAG 2.2 for accessibility guidelines?
Implementing WCAG 2.2 offers several advantages:
- Legal security: Many countries base their accessibility regulations on WCAG standards.
- Better user experience: Improved usability for a broader target group.
- SEO advantages: Accessible websites often have better rankings in search engines.
- Improved compatibility: Improved use with assistive technologies such as screen readers.
Guidelines and principles in WCAG 2.2
WCAG 2.2 continues to be based on the four fundamental principles of accessibility:
- Perceivability: Content must be perceivable by all users.
- Operability: All functions must be easy to navigate.
- Comprehensibility: Information and operation must be clear and simple.
- Robustness: Content should be compatible with different technologies.
How does WCAG 2.2 expand on previous versions?
WCAG 2.2 builds on WCAG 2.1 and adds new success criteria to close previous gaps in the specifications. These include:
- Improved keyboard usability requirements.
- Enhanced contrast and font requirements for improved readability.
- Additional guidelines for avoiding distractions and barriers to cognitive impairment.
WCAG 2.2: Compatibility with earlier versions
WCAG 2.2 is backward compatible with WCAG 2.1 and WCAG 2.0. This means that websites that are already WCAG 2.1 compliant will only need minimal adjustments to meet WCAG 2.2.
WCAG 2.2: New success criteria
WCAG 2.2 introduces several new success criteria, including:
- Focus Appearance: Improving the visibility of keyboard focus indicators.
- Dragging Movements: Alternatives for drag-and-drop interactions.
- Consistent Help: Uniform and easily accessible help functions.
- Accessible Authentication: Accessible authentication mechanisms without complicated CAPTCHA entries.
These criteria can be used as a checklist to systematically check the accessibility of web content.
How does WCAG 2.2 improve accessibility?
With its new success criteria, WCAG 2.2 ensures that even more people can use digital content without restrictions. Users with motor impairments, visual impairments, and cognitive impairments will benefit particularly from the new adjustments. Companies and organizations that implement WCAG 2.2 actively contribute to digital inclusion while avoiding legal risks.
WCAG 2.2 represents a decisive step toward improving digital accessibility. Companies and developers should address the new requirements at an early stage to ensure an accessible user experience.
To fully verify your website’s adherence to WCAG 2.2 regulations, we offer you our accessibility services: