What is Web Accessibility?
Web accessibility means that websites, tools, and technologies are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can use them. However, currently many sites and tools are developed with accessibility barriers that make them difficult or impossible for some people to use.
Web accessibility encompasses all disabilities that affect access to the Web, including:
- auditory
- cognitive
- neurological
- physical
- speech
- visual
Web accessibility also benefits people without disabilities, for example:
- people using mobile phones, smart watches, smart TVs, and other devices with small screens, different input modes, etc.
- older people with changing abilities due to ageing
- people with “temporary disabilities” such as a broken arm or lost glasses
- people with “situational limitations” such as in bright sunlight or in an environment where they cannot listen to audio
- people using a slow Internet connection, or who have limited or expensive bandwidth
Making the web accessible benefits individuals, businesses, and society.
What is WCAG?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is a shared international web standard that defines what is needed for accessibility.
WCAG was founded through W3C, which itself was founded in 1994 by an international community of organisations, staff, and the public. The W3C Web Accessibility Initiative is aimed at developing a common set of website accessibility standards for internet users, which is how the WCAG began in 1995.
The first version of WCAG was published in 1999 as WCAG 1.0. In 2008, WCAG 2.0 was released. Since there has been version 2.1 which builds on WCAG 2.0. Social Pinpoint follows version WCAG 2.1.
Levels of WCAG Guidelines
There are three levels of accessibility compliance in the WCAG, which reflect the priority of support:
A: Essential
If this isn't met, assistive technology may not be able to read, understand, or fully operate the page or view.
AA: Ideal Support
Required for multiple government and public body websites. Social Pinpoint strives for AA compliance.
AAA: Specialised Support
This is typically reserved for parts of websites and web apps that serve a specialised audience.
Here are some resources and references for further reading:
