What is WCAG?
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is the international standard for making websites accessible to people with disabilities. Here's everything you need to know.
Quick Facts
W3C
Published by the World Wide Web Consortium
2.2
Current version (released October 2023)
AA
Most common compliance target
The Four WCAG Principles (POUR)
WCAG is organized around four principles. All accessibility requirements fall under these:
👁️ Perceivable
Information must be presentable in ways all users can perceive.
- Provide text alternatives for images
- Provide captions for videos
- Ensure sufficient color contrast
- Don't rely on color alone to convey information
⌨️ Operable
Interface components must be operable by all users.
- All functionality available via keyboard
- Users have enough time to read content
- Content doesn't cause seizures
- Users can navigate and find content
🧠 Understandable
Information and operation must be understandable.
- Text is readable and understandable
- Pages behave predictably
- Users can avoid and correct mistakes
🔧 Robust
Content must work with current and future technologies.
- Valid, well-formed HTML
- Custom components have proper ARIA roles
- Works with assistive technologies
Conformance Levels (A, AA, AAA)
Each WCAG success criterion has a conformance level indicating its priority:
A
Essential
Must-have. Without these, some users cannot access content at all.
AA
Recommended
The standard target. Required by most laws and regulations.
AAA
Ideal
Highest level. Not required but provides optimal accessibility.
💡 For most Shopify stores
Target WCAG 2.2 Level AA. This meets legal requirements in most jurisdictions and covers the most important accessibility needs.
Legal Requirements
WCAG conformance is required or referenced by accessibility laws worldwide:
| Region | Law | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) | WCAG 2.1 AA |
| 🇪🇺 European Union | European Accessibility Act (EAA) | WCAG 2.1 AA (by 2025) |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Equality Act 2010 | WCAG 2.1 AA |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | AODA (Ontario) | WCAG 2.0 AA |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) | WCAG 2.0 AA |
Ready to Check Your Compliance?
Scan your Shopify store to see how well it meets WCAG 2.2 AA standards.