WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
WCAG is a set of internationally recognized guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to ensure that web content is accessible to a wide range of individuals, including those with disabilities.
The WCAG provides specific recommendations and standards to make web content more perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. It addresses different disabilities such as visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological impairments.
Perceivability emphasizes making information and user interface components distinguishable for users, including those with visual or hearing impairments. This includes providing alternatives to non-text content, using captions for multimedia, and ensuring sufficient color contrast.
Operability focuses on making web content functional and easy to navigate for all users. It highlights providing keyboard-accessible functionality, allowing users to pause, stop, or control any time-dependent content, and avoiding unnecessary movements or distractions.
Understanding emphasizes readability and simplification of web content. This involves using clear language and appropriate organization, ensuring consistent navigation and labels, and avoiding jargon and complex idioms.
Robustness focuses on compatibility and future-proofing web content. This includes using modern coding techniques, ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies, and providing fallbacks for older browsers or devices.
WCAG employs different conformance levels: A (lowest), AA (intermediate), and AAA (highest). Conforming to WCAG guidelines is crucial to provide an inclusive web experience for all individuals, irrespective of their abilities.
