When it comes to building websites and digital platforms, accessibility is not just an option, it is crucial. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, (WCAG) provide the leading global reference for designing online content that works for everyone, including individuals with disabilities. serve as the global benchmark for ensuring that online content is usable and inclusive for everyone, including people with disabilities.

No matter what you are –

A web developer
Designer
Business owner
Marketer

Learning about these guidelines is the first and foremost step toward creating digital experiences that work for all users.

Still unsure how WCAG 2.1 AA works in practice? Learn more in this guide.

What is Digital Accessibility?

Digital accessibility means building digital platforms, like sites and apps that can be used by everyone, no matter their abilities. It ensures that people with visual, hearing, mobility, cognitive, or neurological differences can easily interact with digital content without any difficulty.

These are some of the ways it shows up:

Writing alt text for images lets screen readers to describe visuals.
Strong color contrast makes text more readable for users that are facing vision challenges.
Clear headings and page structure help assistive technologies navigate content and also boost SEO.

To be precise, digital accessibility is about opening digital doors for all users and making information, products, and services equally available online.

Why is Accessibility Important?

Are you wondering what makes accessibility so important, here are some of the clear and most obvious reasons -

Legal Protection – There are countries where businesses face lawsuits if their websites fail to meet accessibility standards. For instance, ADA website compliance has become a major concern for companies in the U.S.
Brand Reputation – If your website is not accessible, people may choose not to use it. But with a working website, you can build trust among the customers, making them feel they are important to you.
Better User Experience – It is accessibility only that makes it seamless for everyone to use the websites. Initially, features like voice search, mobile-friendly design, and caption were made for accessibility. But now, they have become everyday tools, benefiting all the users.

Know that – accessibility isn’t just about following the rules. It’s more about creating better digital experiences and building stronger businesses.

Understanding WCAG Principles

The WCAG is structured around four core principles, often summarized as POUR:

Perceivable – Users must be able to notice and take in the content. For instance, images should have text alternatives.
Operable – People should be able to navigate the site, whether they are using a mouse, keyword, or any other assistive tools.
Understandable – The way a site works should be clear and predictable.
Robust – The content should be reliable and work with current assistive technologies. And also must be flexible enough to adapt to future ones.

WCAG also breaks accessibility into three levels:

Level A – The basic one.
Level AA – As this level is a standard one, most of the organisations aim for this.
Level AAA – The highest level, offering the most inclusive experience.

In general, most of the organisations aim for WCAG 2.1 AA compliance.

Role of a Digital Accessibility Consultant

Sometimes, accessibility can seem complicated, especially with all the standards that keep changing, that is where a digital accessibility consultant comes in. Their work is to make things easier for businesses. This is how they do so –

They keep a check on websites and apps to identify the accessibility issues
Suggest clear and practical fixations
Provide team training so teams can learn how to design and develop in an accessible way
Also, a digital accessibility consultant keeps a track of accessibility over time

Even during the times when you are not sure how accessible your website or app is, a consultant can save you time and stress. They help you stay compliant while creating digital experiences that work for everyone.

Getting Started with Accessibility

Not sure where to begin? These steps are going to help –

Run a quick scan – You can use free tools like axe-core or WAVE to point out common accessibility problems.
Add alt text – This one is necessary. You must ensure that each image has an add text or a short description.
Check your colors – Test the contrast between text and background to be sure it’s readable.
Try the keyboard test – Forget about the mouse for about a minute. Check if you are able to navigate your site only with the help of a keyboard.
Ask for expert help – If this feels new or overwhelming, a digital accessibility consultant can guide your team in the right direction.

Even these minor changes can make your site better and easier to use, and keep you on the right track always.

To Bring It All Together

Accessibility comes down to one simple truth: the web should be easy for everyone to use. And this is all possible with the help of WCAG guidelines. It is not only about avoiding legal issues, but about making sure people can connect with you, be it in terms of content, products, or services.

Here’s a thing – Accessibility is not just another add-on, it is crucial for building a better web.

How Inclusive Web Can Help

At Inclusive Web, our goal is simple: make accessibility easy for businesses of any size. Our team combines technology, AI, and real-world testers to provide:

Detailed accessibility audits that can uncover barriers on your site or app.
Expert remediation services that come with a guarantee – if we fail to resolve it, you don’t have to pay.
Ongoing monitoring and reporting so that the progress can be tracked.
Consulting and training plans made just for you and your industry. This helps your team build accessibility into each project.

Till date, we have helped several renowned brands, including national restaurant chains, to become completely accessible in just 60 days. So, if you are a new business or need assistance with tackling compliance risks, our digital consultants got you covered. They will guide you every step of the way.

Get in touch with Inclusive Web today for a free evaluation and let’s build a more inclusive digital experience together.

The Web Content Accessibility Guideline: Full Tutorial