WCAG
WCAG means Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
It is the main international reference for making web content accessible. In the UID 07 accessibility lesson, WCAG 2.2 level AA is presented as the practical reference designers and developers should understand for current accessibility work.
POUR
WCAG is organized around four principles:
| Principle | Meaning | Design question |
|---|---|---|
| Perceivable | content must be presented in ways users can perceive | can users see, hear, or otherwise receive the information? |
| Operable | interface components and navigation must be usable | can users interact without barriers? |
| Understandable | information and operations must be clear | can users understand what to do? |
| Robust | content must work with different technologies | can browsers and assistive technologies interpret it reliably? |
Why It Matters For UI
WCAG affects practical UI decisions:
- text alternatives
- captions and transcripts
- contrast
- keyboard navigation
- focus visibility
- headings and semantic structure
- labels and instructions
- error identification
- target size
- accessible authentication
WCAG 2.2 Focus
WCAG 2.2 adds criteria that are especially relevant to:
- low vision
- cognitive accessibility
- mobile-like input patterns
- focus visibility
- drag interactions
- target size
- redundant data entry
- authentication without cognitive tests