What Changes Should You Consider in WCAG 2.2 Latest Web Accessibility Guidelines?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are essential standards designed to make digital content accessible to people with disabilities. These guidelines help website owners, designers, and developers ensure that their sites can be easily used by everyone, including those with visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive impairments.
As technology evolves, so do these guidelines. WCAG 2.2, the latest version of these standards, builds on previous versions (WCAG 2.0 and 2.1) to address more barriers that users with disabilities might face. In this post, we’ll break down the most important updates in WCAG 2.2 and explain how they impact your website’s accessibility.
What is WCAG?
WCAG, short for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, is a set of international standards that help make websites, apps, and other digital content more accessible. They are developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), an organisation that creates web standards.
These guidelines are organised into four core principles that make digital content accessible:
Perceivable – Information and interface components must be presented in ways that users can perceive, whether visually, through audio, or via assistive technology like screen readers.
Operable – Users must be able to navigate and interact with a website using different methods, such as a keyboard, mouse, or voice commands.
Understandable – Information and the operation of the interface must be easy to understand, with clear instructions and design.
Robust – Content must be compatible with current and future assistive technologies.
WCAG 2.0 introduced these principles, and WCAG 2.1 added new criteria to improve mobile accessibility and make digital content more inclusive for people with cognitive and learning disabilities. Now, WCAG 2.2 brings further improvements, focusing on fine-tuning the user experience for everyone.
Key Changes in WCAG 2.2
WCAG 2.2 introduces several new success criteria to address specific accessibility barriers. The design principles are supported by 13 guidelines that must be followed to comply.
Here, we’ll cover some of the most impactful changes, using examples to illustrate how these updates can improve your website’s usability.
1. Focus Appearance (AA)
When navigating a website, users who rely on a keyboard instead of a mouse (such as people with mobility impairments) need to see where their focus is. The focus indicator shows which element – like a button or a link – is currently active. This new guideline ensures that the focus indicator is more visible, particularly for people with low vision or cognitive disabilities.
For example, imagine filling out a form online. You use the tab key to move from one field to the next, but there’s no visible indicator to show where you are. This makes it easy to get lost. Under WCAG 2.2, focus indicators must be clear and stand out visually, making navigation more intuitive and less frustrating.
2. Dragging Movements (AA)
This criterion addresses users who struggle with fine motor movements, such as those with arthritis or tremors. Drag-and-drop interfaces can be challenging, especially if precise movement is required to interact with elements like sliders or moving objects across a screen. WCAG 2.2 recommends providing alternative ways to complete these actions, such as using buttons or other simple gestures.
Think of an online puzzle game where you need to drag and drop pieces into place. For users who find it difficult to drag, there should be an option to select the pieces and place them with a button click, rather than relying solely on the dragging movement.
3. Target Size (AA)
This new guideline ensures that touch targets – such as buttons, links, or other clickable elements – are large enough for users to activate without difficulty. Small buttons can be especially tricky for users with motor impairments or when using a touchscreen device.
If you’ve ever struggled to click a tiny ‘X’ on a pop-up ad using your phone, you know how frustrating it can be when touch targets are too small. With WCAG 2.2, interactive elements must have a minimum target size, making them easier to use, particularly on mobile devices.
4. Accessible Authentication (A)
This criterion focuses on making login and authentication processes more accessible. Many websites require users to complete complex tasks, such as typing long passwords or completing a CAPTCHA, which can be difficult for individuals with cognitive disabilities or motor impairments. WCAG 2.2 encourages the use of password-less logins, like fingerprint or facial recognition, or providing simpler alternatives for verifying a user’s identity.
For example, imagine a user with dyslexia trying to log in to an account but struggling with a complicated password. A website following WCAG 2.2 might offer alternatives, like sending a one-time code via email or allowing a simple "log in with fingerprint" option, making the process less stressful.
5. Findable Help (A)
This new guideline ensures that help options – such as contact information or instructions – are easy to find. Users shouldn’t have to struggle to locate help if they’re stuck or confused. The idea is to make support readily available, ensuring a smoother user experience for everyone, particularly those with cognitive or learning disabilities.
For example, if a customer on an eCommerce site needs help completing a purchase but can’t find the customer service contact details. WCAG 2.2 recommends placing help options, like live chat or a phone number, in visible, consistent locations so users can find them quickly without frustration.
Why WCAG 2.2 Matters
For businesses, complying with WCAG 2.2 is more than just ticking off a legal requirement – it’s about creating an inclusive experience for all users. By meeting these new criteria, you make your website easier to use, which benefits not just people with disabilities, but everyone.
Accessible design is often just good design. Think of the "curb cut effect" – those small ramps built into pavements to help wheelchair users cross the street. While designed for accessibility, curb cuts also benefit people pushing prams, cyclists, and delivery workers. In the same way, improving your website’s accessibility benefits everyone by making it more user-friendly.
How to Implement WCAG 2.2
Adopting WCAG 2.2 doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start by auditing your website to identify areas that need improvement. There are many free online tools that can help you test your site against accessibility guidelines or you could hire a professional to conduct an audit on your website. Regular updates and testing are key to ensuring your site remains accessible as new technologies and standards emerge.
It’s also helpful to involve users with disabilities in the testing process. Their feedback can provide valuable insights into real-world challenges that automated tools might miss.
Conclusion
WCAG 2.2 is a step forward in creating a web that’s truly accessible to all. By incorporating these new guidelines into your website, you’re not only meeting legal requirements but also building an inclusive digital space where everyone can participate fully.
