Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
Fast track (Summarised definition)
WCAG provides accessibility standards for web content serving people with disabilities. Important for businesses to meet legal requirements under disability discrimination legislation and expand audience reach. Improves SEO performance while demonstrating social responsibility. Requires proactive implementation through auditing, training, and inclusive design practices rather than retrofitting solutions.
Full lap (Full definition)
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines provide international standards for making web content accessible to people with disabilities, including visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments. For businesses, WCAG compliance represents both legal requirements under disability discrimination legislation and marketing opportunities to reach broader audiences while demonstrating social responsibility.
WCAG principles include perceivable content (alternative text for images, captions for videos), operable interfaces (keyboard navigation, sufficient time limits), understandable information (clear language, predictable functionality), and robust content (compatibility with assistive technologies).
Legal requirements under disability discrimination legislation make accessibility compliance increasingly important for businesses providing online services. Government websites must meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards, and private sector compliance expectations continue growing through legal precedents and advocacy efforts.
Marketing benefits include expanded audience reach, improved search engine optimisation, and brand differentiation through inclusive design practices. Accessible websites often perform better in search rankings due to improved structure, alternative text, and semantic markup that benefits both users and search engines.
Implementation strategies include accessibility auditing, developer training, and user testing with people with disabilities. Businesses should incorporate accessibility considerations into website design processes rather than addressing issues retroactively, ensuring cost-effective compliance and improved user experience for all visitors.
Accessibility tools and technologies continue evolving with new standards for mobile accessibility, emerging technologies, and assistive device compatibility. Regular accessibility monitoring and updates ensure continued compliance while supporting inclusive user experiences that benefit all website visitors and demonstrate commitment to social responsibility and equal access.