What Are WCAG 2.2 Guidelines?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 represent the latest international standard for web accessibility. Published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) in October 2023, these guidelines provide a comprehensive framework for making digital content accessible to people with disabilities.
WCAG 2.2 builds upon WCAG 2.1, adding 9 new success criteria that primarily address the needs of users with cognitive disabilities, users with low vision, and mobile device users.
The Four Core Principles: POUR
WCAG 2.2 is organized around four fundamental principles, often remembered by the acronym POUR:
1. Perceivable
Content must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive. This means:
2. Operable
User interface components must be operable by all users. Key requirements include:
3. Understandable
Information and interface operation must be understandable:
4. Robust
Content must be robust enough to be interpreted by various user agents:
Conformance Levels: A, AA, and AAA
WCAG 2.2 defines three conformance levels:
Level A (Minimum)
The most basic accessibility features. Without meeting Level A, some users will find it impossible to access your content.
Level AA (Recommended)
The standard most organizations should target, and the level required by most accessibility laws including the European Accessibility Act.
Level AAA (Enhanced)
The highest level of accessibility. While achieving full AAA conformance is not always possible, implementing AAA criteria where feasible significantly improves user experience.
New Success Criteria in WCAG 2.2
WCAG 2.2 introduced several important new criteria:
Focus Appearance (2.4.11 - AA)
When UI components receive keyboard focus, the focus indicator must:
Dragging Movements (2.5.7 - AA)
All functionality using dragging must have a single-pointer alternative.
Target Size Minimum (2.5.8 - AA)
Interactive targets must be at least 24x24 CSS pixels.
Consistent Help (3.2.6 - A)
Help mechanisms must appear in the same location across pages.
Accessible Authentication (3.3.8 - AA)
Cognitive function tests should not be required for authentication.
Conclusion
Understanding WCAG 2.2 is essential for creating truly inclusive digital experiences. By following these guidelines, you ensure your content reaches the widest possible audience.