Content Creator’s Web Accessibility How-To Guide to WCAG & ADA Compliance
When it comes to web accessibility and ADA Title III, compliance many assume this responsibility lies solely on the shoulders of web designers and developers, but the content itself must also meet current accessibility requirements. As content creators, CMS managers, and website administrators, you play a crucial role in making web content ADA compliant and accessible to all users.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through WCAG 2.2 compliance for web content, focusing on creating accessible content that meets ADA requirements and follows website content accessibility guidelines. We'll break down potential issues and solutions by priority: Critical, Serious, Moderate, Minor, and Best Practices.
The Importance of Website Accessibility As Content Producers
Content accessibility goes beyond legal compliance to ensure that what you wish to communicate can be understood by the full spectrum of users - including those with disabilities as well as Seniors. I always emphasize Seniors, because this is a huge cohort and they share the very same barriers that people with disabilities face - whether they admit it or not. Boomers are also our first set of digital seniors who expect to be able to continue engaging online but are finding that harder and harder now.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2) provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring that web content is accessible to a wide range of people with varying abilities. As content producers, your role in maintaining WCAG compliance is vital. The content you post—whether it's a blog post, product description, event announcement, or multimedia—can either enhance or detract from the accessibility of your websites.
The consequences of inaccessible content are severe. Not only does it alienate a significant portion of our audience, but it also opens organizations to legal risks. On the flip side, accessible content can boost SEO, broaden market reach, enhance brand appeal, and align our organizations with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Benefits of Website Accessibility
1. SEO Enhancement
Search engines favor accessible websites. By following WCAG guidelines, our content becomes more understandable and navigable not only to users but also to search engines. This can lead to improved search rankings and increased organic traffic.
2. Expanded Market Opportunity
There are over 61 million people with disabilities in the U.S. alone. Add to that the 71 million Baby Boomers with over $548 billion in discretionary spending, and the business case for accessibility becomes clear. Accessible content ensures that our websites reach the broadest possible audience.
3. Brand Attraction and DEI
In today's socially conscious market, consumers are increasingly drawn to brands that demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity. By ensuring our websites are accessible, we reinforce our brands' commitment to DEI, which can strengthen customer loyalty and attract new audiences.
4. Legal Compliance
Non-compliance with accessibility laws can lead to costly lawsuits, brand damage, and lost business. The ADA, along with state laws and international regulations like the European Accessibility Act, require digital accessibility. The EAA takes effect in June 2025 and expect to hear much much more about this, as it will likely have a very similar impact to what GDPR had.
5. Improved User Experience
Accessible design often benefits all users, not just those with disabilities. Clear structure, readable text, and well-described media improve the overall user experience for everyone. Good accessibility is the pinnacle of usability. Good usability delivers deeper engagement and increased conversions.
Understanding WCAG and the Nuanced Nature of Compliance
The WCAG are divided into three levels of conformance: A (the minimum level), AA (the mid-range level, and the most commonly targeted for compliance), and AAA (the highest level, often considered ideal but not mandatory for all content). Each level addresses different aspects of accessibility, from basic functions like keyboard navigation to more advanced requirements like sign language interpretation for videos.
However, within each level, issues can be further categorized by their severity—Critical, Serious, Moderate, Minor, and Best Practices. This categorization helps us prioritize which issues to address first, ensuring that we remove the most significant barriers to accessibility as quickly as possible.
In this guide, we'll focus on WCAG 2.2 compliance, which is crucial for meeting ADA and laws in various states and other countries. My goal is to provide practical, actionable advice for creating accessible content, organized by priority level. By following these guidelines, you’ll not only meet legal requirements but also create a more inclusive digital space that benefits all users.
Essential WCAG Content Creation Guidelines
Critical WCAG Compliance Items
1. Image Alt Text and Descriptions (WCAG 1.1.1 - Level A)
Issue: Images without alt text are invisible to screen readers.
Solution: Provide descriptive alt text for all images.
Example
Good: <img src="red-apple.jpg" alt="A shiny red apple on a white plate">
Bad: <img src="img1.jpg" alt=""> or <img src="apple.jpg" alt="image">
Best Practices
- Be concise but descriptive
- Use empty alt text (alt="") for decorative images
- Provide longer descriptions for complex images
2. Video Captions and Audio Transcripts (WCAG 1.2.2, 1.2.3 - Level A)
Issue: Deaf or hard of hearing users can't access audio content without alternatives.
Solution: Provide accurate captions and transcripts.
Best Practices
- Synchronize captions with audio
- Include relevant non-speech sounds
- Provide easily accessible transcripts
Serious WCAG Content Guidelines
3. Heading Structure and Sequencing (WCAG 1.3.1 - Level A)
Issue: Improper heading structure confuses screen reader users.
Solution: Use logical heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3, etc.).
Example
<h1>Main Page Title</h1>
<h2>Section 1</h2>
<h3>Subsection 1.1</h3>
Best Practices
- Use only one H1 per page
- Don't skip heading levels
- Use headings for structure, not styling
4. Link Text and Descriptions (WCAG 2.4.4 - Level A)
Issue: Vague link text doesn't provide context for screen readers.
Solution: Use descriptive link text.
Example
Good: Learn more about our accessibility services/
Bad: Click here
Best Practices
- Make link text meaningful out of context
- Avoid using URLs as link text
- Don't use the same link text for different destinations
5. Table Structure and Headers (WCAG 1.3.1 - Level A)
Issue: Poorly structured tables are difficult for screen readers to navigate.
Solution: Use proper table markup with headers.
Example
<table>
<caption>Monthly Savings</caption>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col">Month</th>
<th scope="col">Savings</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th scope="row">January</th>
<td>$100</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Best Practices
- Use <caption> for table titles
- Use <th> for header cells and <td> for data cells
- Avoid using tables for layout
6. Form Labels and Instructions (WCAG 3.3.2 - Level A)
Issue: Unlabeled form fields confuse screen reader users.
Solution: Provide clear labels and instructions.
Example
<label for="name">Full Name:</label>
<input type="text" id="name" name="name" required>
Best Practices
- Associate labels with form controls
- Clearly indicate required fields
- Provide specific error messages
7. Color Contrast and Use (WCAG 1.4.3 - Level AA)
Issue: Poor color contrast affects readability for visually impaired users.
Solution: Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background.
Best Practices
- Use a color contrast checker tool
- Aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text
- Don't rely solely on color to convey information
Moderate WCAG Content Issues
8. List Formatting (WCAG 1.3.1 - Level A)
Issue: Improperly formatted lists confuse screen reader users.
Solution: Use appropriate HTML list elements.
Example
<ul>
<li>Apple</li>
<li>Banana</li>
</ul>
Best Practices
- Use <ul> for unordered and <ol> for ordered lists
- Nest lists properly for sublists
- Don't use lists purely for visual styling
9. Language Declarations (WCAG 3.1.2 - Level AA)
Issue: Screen readers may mispronounce content in different languages.
Solution: Use the lang attribute for language changes.
Example
<p>The French word for apple is <span lang="fr">pomme</span>.</p>
Best Practices
- Declare the primary language in the <html> tag
- Use lang attribute for content in different languages
Minor & Best Practices for WCAG Content Compliance
10. Descriptive Metadata (WCAG 2.4.2 - Level A)
Issue: Poor metadata hinders content discovery and understanding.
Solution: Provide clear, descriptive metadata.
Best Practices
- Write informative meta descriptions
- Use relevant keywords and tags
- Ensure page titles accurately reflect content
Tools for Testing Web Accessibility Content
- WAVE WCAG Page Tester
- WebAIM Color Contrast Checker
- Hemingway App for readability (or current Generative AI)
- Microsoft Office Accessibility Checker
Wrap It Up
Creating WCAG compliant content is essential for ADA website compliance and accessible web design. By following these website content accessibility guidelines, you’ll not only meet legal requirements but also create a more inclusive digital space. Remember, accessibility is an ongoing commitment that benefits all users and improves overall website performance.
By implementing these practices in our daily content creation workflows, you can make significant strides towards a more accessible web. It may seem daunting at first, but with practice, these considerations will become second nature. The result? A website that's not only legally compliant but also user-friendly, SEO-optimized, and truly inclusive.
Let's embrace this opportunity to make our digital content accessible to everyone. After all, every alt text we add, every clear heading we write, and every video we caption is making the web a better place for someone. And that's something we can all be proud of.