
Category
Share
WCAG 2.2: Website Accessibility Checklist
The first Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) were published in 1999, and by 2024, website accessibility is likely a familiar concept. However, it’s essential to understand that accessibility now goes beyond mere compliance; it demonstrates your brand’s commitment to inclusivity and delivering a user-friendly and engaging experience for all visitors. With this in mind, let’s explore the fundamental concepts of website accessibility and a checklist of essential updates and best practices in the latest WCAG 2.2 guidelines.
POUR: 4 Principles of Website Accessibility
According to WCAG guidelines, accessibility should make the content Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR). This includes providing alternatives for users to identify, comprehend, and interact with content, providing a means for users to manage controls and other interactive elements, and providing content that is adaptive to different devices and assistive technologies. WCAG rates the accessibility features of a website according to three levels, A, AA, and AAA.
Understanding Website Accessibility in 2024
Website accessibility ensures that all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with your website effectively. As the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) points out, everyone benefits from improved layout and design. Here are a few more reasons why it matters:
Legal Compliance: Depending on your field, meeting accessibility standards helps avoid potential legal trouble.
Wider Audience Reach: An accessible website opens doors to a broader audience, including people with disabilities who make up a significant portion of the population.
Enhanced User Experience: Accessibility features often improve the overall user experience for everyone, including those without disabilities.
SEO Benefits: Many accessibility best practices align with SEO best practices and potentially improve your site’s search rankings.
Brand Reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to accessibility can enhance your brand’s reputation and foster customer loyalty.
Website Accessibility Checklist: Key Updates and Best Practices
To help you navigate the latest updates, use this WCAG 2.2 checklist based on the POUR Principles:
1. Perceivable
Provide text alternatives for non-text content (images, audio, video).
Provide captioning for audio content and audio descriptions for video content.
Ensure content can be presented in different ways (such as a simpler layout) without losing information or structure.
Use sufficient contrast between text and background.
Don’t use only color to convey information (“click the orange button”).
Allow content to be resized up to 200% without losing functionality.
2. Operable
Make all functionality available from a keyboard.
Provide users enough time to read and absorb content.
Avoid presenting content that is known to cause seizures or physical reactions (flashes, strobes).
Provide ways to help users navigate and find content.
Ensure pages have titles and headings that describe the topic or purpose.
Allow users to control and navigate with various input devices such as a touch screen, electronic stylus, or laser pointer.
3. Understandable
Make text content readable and understandable.
Web pages should appear and function intuitively.
Help users avoid and correct mistakes.
4. Robust
Maximize compatibility with assistive technologies.
Regularly perform accessibility testing to ensure compatibility with assistive technologies.
Make sure all code is written correctly to allow assistive technologies to accurately parse content.
Provide tools to help users understand and correct mistakes.
WCAG 2.2 Specific Additions
Focus Appearance (2.4.13)Ensure that keyboard focus indicators are clearly visible.
Dragging Movements (2.5.7)Allow users to perform simple pointer actions without the need for dragging movements.
Pointer Target Size (2.5.8)Make sure interactive elements are sufficiently spaced so that they can be easily tapped or selected.
Consistent Help (3.2.6)Provide help in consistent locations to make it easier to find.
Let’s Talk Accessibility
Adopting the WCAG 2.2 guidelines is not just about compliance—it’s about creating a welcoming digital environment for everyone. By prioritizing accessibility, you’re not only enhancing your website’s functionality, you’re also demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity that resonates with modern audiences.
BoxCrush has experienced in-house developers who specialize in accessibility testing, helping businesses navigate changes, and implementing accessibility strategies effectively. Schedule a meeting to learn how we can support your accessibility initiatives and help you reach a broader audience.
Featured Work
Related Articles
Four Ways to Take Up More Space in Search Results
Happy December! It’s a great time to expand and optimize your online presence, take up a larger…
Time for a Tune-up: Q4 Web Design and Marketing Improvements
Last month, we shared a competitive intelligence guide with actionable tips on how to monitor your competitors….
How to Leverage AI for Marketing
Two letters are appearing in headlines across the world: AI. Artificial intelligence is the latest buzz in…




Ronald McDonald House

Red Gold

Mi-Tech Metals

Rose Acre

Kiwanis