Not all accessibility requirements are created equal. Here’s how they’re organized—and which level you should actually aim for.
Understanding the Three Levels
WCAG requirements are organized into three levels of conformance: A, AA, and AAA. Think of these like difficulty levels in a video game—each one builds on the previous.
Level A: The Bare Minimum
Level A is the most basic level. If you don’t meet these requirements, your website has significant barriers that prevent some people from using it at all.
Examples of Level A requirements: - All images have alt text - Videos have captions (can be auto-generated) - Your site can be navigated using a keyboard - Pages have descriptive titles - Links make sense out of context (“Learn more about our services” instead of just “Click here”)
If your website fails Level A, it’s essentially unusable for some visitors. This is where lawsuits happen.
Level AA: The Sweet Spot
Level AA is where most organizations aim—and what most laws and regulations require. It addresses the most common accessibility barriers without requiring extremely complex technical changes.
Examples of Level AA requirements: - Color contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text - Text can be resized up to 200% without breaking the layout - Captions are accurate and synchronized (not just auto-generated) - Consistent navigation across the site - Multiple ways to find pages (search, site map, etc.)
Level AA is your target. When someone mentions “WCAG compliance,” they almost always mean Level AA. This is what the new government regulations require, and it’s what courts typically expect from private businesses.
Level AAA: Going Above and Beyond
Level AAA is the highest level—but it’s not typically required or recommended as a blanket goal. Some Level AAA requirements are extremely difficult to meet for all types of content.
Examples of Level AAA requirements: - Color contrast ratio of at least 7:1 - Sign language interpretation for all video content - Reading level at lower secondary education level - No timing limits at all (not even with extensions)
Level AAA is aspirational. Some organizations achieve it for specific pages, but full Level AAA compliance across an entire website is rare and often impractical.
What Should You Aim For?
Start with Level A, then work toward Level AA. That’s the practical path for most small businesses.
Here’s a realistic timeline:
- Immediate: Fix Level A violations (these are the most critical)
- Short-term: Address Level AA requirements
- Ongoing: Maintain compliance as you add new content
- Optional: Consider Level AAA enhancements where feasible
New Regulations to Know
In April 2024, the Department of Justice issued rules requiring state and local government websites to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards:
- Larger entities (50,000+ population): April 2026 deadline
- Smaller entities: April 2027 deadline
While this specifically targets government, the ripple effects are significant. Courts continue to apply ADA requirements to private business websites. Accessibility is becoming the standard expectation, not the exception.
The Key Takeaway
Remember: accessibility isn’t a one-time project. It’s an ongoing commitment that should be part of how you manage your website. Start with Level A, work toward Level AA, and you’ll be ahead of 96% of websites out there.
Read the full guide: WCAG Compliance Guide
Need help making your website accessible? Contact Egmer Marketing for a free accessibility review.
