WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1) at a glance : 78 Success Criteria (Level A,AA,AAA)

 WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1) is a set of guidelines developed by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) to ensure that web content is accessible to people with disabilities. WCAG 2.1 is an update to the original WCAG 2.0 guidelines and includes additional success criteria to improve accessibility. Some of the key success criteria in WCAG 2.1 include:

Non-text Content: All non-text content that is presented to the user should have a text alternative that serves the same purpose as the non-text content.

Time-based Media: All pre-recorded audio and video content should have captions, and all live audio and video content should have both captions and an audio description.

Adaptable: Content should be presented in a way that is easy to understand and navigate, regardless of the user's abilities or the technology they are using.

Distinguishable: Content should be presented in a way that makes it easy to see and hear, including providing sufficient color contrast, ensuring that text is resizable, and minimizing background noise.

Keyboard Accessible: All functionality should be available through a keyboard interface, allowing users to navigate and interact with content without relying on a mouse.

Enough Time: Users should have enough time to read and use the content, including providing enough time to complete tasks, and avoiding time limits for completing tasks.

Seizures and Physical Reactions: Content should be designed in a way that does not cause seizures or physical reactions in users with photosensitive epilepsy or other sensitivities.

Navigable: Content should be organized in a way that makes it easy to navigate and understand, including using headings, labels, and other organizational tools.

Input Modalities: All functionality should be available through a variety of input methods, including touchscreens, keyboards, and voice commands.

Readable: Content should be presented in a way that is easy to read, including providing sufficient spacing between lines of text, using easy-to-read fonts, and avoiding text that is too small.

Predictable: Make web pages available in a predictable way.

Input Assistance: Help users to avoid and correct mistakes. If an input error is automatically detected, the item that is in error is identified and the error is described to the user in text. If an input error is automatically detected and suggestions for correction are known, then the suggestions are provided to the user, unless it would jeopardize the security or purpose of the content.

Compatible: Maximize compatibility with current and future user agents, including assistive technologies.

These success criteria are designed to help make web content more accessible to people with disabilities, ensuring that everyone has equal access to information and functionality on the web.

Why we should follow WCAG 2.1 guideline for Digital Accessibility?

Legal Compliance: In many countries, including the United States, following the WCAG guidelines is a legal requirement for public and government websites. Failure to comply with these guidelines can result in legal action against the website owner or operator.

Ethical Responsibility: Making web content accessible to people with disabilities is a matter of social responsibility and ethical considerations. All individuals should have equal access to information and services provided online.

Increased Audience: By following the WCAG guidelines, websites can ensure that they are accessible to a wider audience. This includes people with visual, auditory, physical, and cognitive disabilities who may otherwise be excluded from accessing the website.

Improved User Experience: Web content that is accessible to people with disabilities often has benefits for all users, as it is typically more user-friendly, navigable, and readable.

Future-Proofing: Following the WCAG guidelines ensures that your website will be compatible with future technologies and devices, which is important as technology continues to evolve and expand.

Overall, following WCAG 2.1 guidelines is important to ensure that your website is accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities. It not only meets legal requirements but also reflects ethical responsibilities and best practices for creating a better online experience for all users.