Web accessibility sounds complicated. It’s not. Here’s everything you need to know in plain English.
The Basics
WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. It’s a set of recommendations developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to make websites usable by everyone—including people with disabilities.
Think of WCAG like building codes for websites. Just like your physical store needs ramps and proper signage to be accessible to all customers, your website needs certain features to be usable by everyone who visits.
What Makes Websites Inaccessible?
You might not even realize your website has barriers. Here’s what commonly trips people up:
- Images without descriptions — Someone using a screen reader (software that reads websites aloud for blind users) can’t understand what your photos show
- Low color contrast — Gray text on a white background looks sleek, but people with low vision can’t read it
- Videos without captions — Deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors miss your message entirely
- Buttons that only work with a mouse — Some people navigate websites using only their keyboard
- Blinking or flashing content — Can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy
A Brief History
WCAG was first published in 1999, and it’s been updated several times since. The current versions you’ll hear about are:
- WCAG 2.0 — The foundational standard
- WCAG 2.1 — Added guidelines for mobile devices and touch screens
- WCAG 2.2 — Released October 2023, the newest version
Each version builds on the previous one. When regulations mention “WCAG compliance,” they typically mean WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
Who Needs to Comply?
Government agencies and contractors — Required since the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Public accommodations — Under the ADA, businesses serving the public (restaurants, hotels, retail stores) need accessible facilities—and courts have increasingly interpreted this to include websites.
Schools and educational institutions — Any organization receiving federal funding must be accessible.
Small businesses? You’re not exempt. ADA compliance lawsuits don’t discriminate by company size. In fact, smaller businesses are sometimes easier targets because they’re less likely to have legal teams.
The Numbers That Matter
- 1.3 billion people worldwide have disabilities (16% of the global population)
- 20-25% of your customers may have some form of accessibility need
- 96% of the top one million websites have WCAG violations
So you’re not alone if your site has issues—but you also can’t assume you’re fine just because “everyone does it.”
The Good News
Most accessibility fixes are straightforward. Adding descriptions to images, improving color contrast, making buttons keyboard-accessible—these aren’t rocket science.
Once you understand what needs attention, you can tackle it step by step. And when you follow these guidelines, you’re not just checking a compliance box—you’re opening your doors to more customers.
Read the full guide: WCAG Compliance Guide
Need help making your website accessible? Contact Egmer Marketing for a free accessibility review.
