Accessibility has been the buzz around the internet. And I’ll bet you’re here because you’re trying to figure out what you need to know about it.
Here are some tips that will help you determine your website’s accessibility level of conformance. Does your website comply with Level A, Level AA, or Level AAA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)? Understanding your website accessibility conformance is essential for ensuring all users, including those with disabilities, can navigate and interact with your content effectively.
In order to find this out, you’ll need to perform a thorough accessibility audit and assessment.
Here are 5 Steps you can take to find out your website accessibility conformance level:
1. Conduct an Accessibility Audit:
Start by conducting a comprehensive accessibility audit of your website. You can use accessibility evaluation tools like the ones mentioned in our blog last week to identify issues on your website. This audit is a crucial step toward achieving full website accessibility conformance, ensuring that your site meets recognized standards and provides an inclusive experience for all users.
2. Manual Review and Testing:
Automated tools can identify many common issues, but not all accessibility issues can be caught automatically. Conduct manual testing, or better yet, involve individuals with disabilities to assess your site’s usability.
3. Refer to WCAG Guidelines:
Familiarize yourself with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which are developed and maintained by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). The WCAG outlines the standards for web accessibility, and it’s organized into three levels: A, AA, and AAA.
4. Evaluate and Document Your Findings:
Assess the issues identified during the audit against the specific success criteria outlined in the WCAG guidelines. Each guideline and success criterion is associated with one of the three conformance levels: A, AA, or AAA.
5. Determine Your Level of Conformance:
Based on your assessment and evaluation, determine which conformance level your website currently meets. Here’s a brief overview of the three conformance levels:
- Level A (Basic): Addresses the most critical and fundamental accessibility issues. These are necessary for most users with disabilities.
- Level AA (Intermediate): Builds upon Level A and includes additional criteria that enhance accessibility and usability. Meeting Level AA is the most common goal for most websites.
- Level AAA (Advanced): Represents the highest level of accessibility conformance. Meeting Level AAA means your site is highly accessible but may require significant effort and may not be achievable for all types of content.
Great! Now you know your level of Conformance. So, what do you need to do now?
Follow these 3 Tips to Keep Your Website Accessible As You Grow
1. Create an Accessibility Statement:
Once you’ve determined your level of conformance, it’s a good practice to create an accessibility statement or page on your website that clearly communicates your commitment to accessibility, your website accessibility conformance level, and contact information for accessibility-related inquiries or issues.
2. Plan and Implement Remediation:
Develop a plan to address and remediate the accessibility issues found during your assessment. Ensure that you prioritize and fix issues according to the chosen conformance level.
3. Regularly Review and Update:
Accessibility is an ongoing process. Regularly review and update your website to ensure that it maintains its accessibility conformance level, especially when new content is added or changes are made to the site.
Remember that achieving and maintaining accessibility conformance is an ongoing commitment.
It’s crucial to provide equal access to all users, and meeting at least Level AA of the WCAG is often considered a reasonable and essential goal for most websites.
Need help getting there?
Have questions about making your website more accessible?
Contact us and we’ll help you navigate your way through!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is website accessibility conformance important?
Achieving website accessibility conformance ensures that your website is inclusive and can be navigated by everyone, including those with disabilities. It also helps you comply with legal requirements and improve overall user experience.
How do I determine my website’s accessibility conformance level?
To determine your website accessibility conformance level, you should conduct an accessibility audit using automated tools, perform manual testing (ideally with users with disabilities), refer to the WCAG guidelines, document your findings, and then assess which conformance level (A, AA, or AAA) your site meets.
What are the different levels of website accessibility conformance?
Website accessibility conformance is classified into three levels under WCAG: Level A (basic accessibility), Level AA (intermediate, most common target), and Level AAA (highest level of accessibility). Each level builds upon the previous one with more stringent criteria.
How often should I review my website accessibility conformance?
Website accessibility conformance should be reviewed regularly, especially when adding new content or features. Accessibility is an ongoing process to ensure your site remains compliant and user-friendly for all visitors.
Can I automate website accessibility conformance testing?
Automated tools are helpful for an initial assessment of website accessibility conformance, but cannot catch all issues. Manual testing, including feedback from users with disabilities, is crucial for a thorough evaluation.
