Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

Overview

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide guidelines and Success Criteria for each corresponding standard to create inclusive digital environments; particularly so people with disabilities have the broadest possible access to content and services.

• UTMB's standard is WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance. 
• However, you can try to remove as many barriers as possible, by aiming for Level AAA compliance on a success criteria whenever possible.

Conformance levels levels:

• Level A - meets all of the Level A requirements in full, or a conforming alternate version is provided 
• Level AA - meets all of the Level A and Level AA requirements in full, or a conforming level AA alternate version is provided 
• Level AAA - meets all of the Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA requirements in full, or a conforming Level AAA alternate version is provided 

Learn more about the conformance levels at the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI).

• There are three levels of conformance, rated from minimally inclusive to broadly inclusive:
  • A - minimum level of conformance and effort
  • AA - average conformance and effort
    
  • AAA - broadest conformance and effort
• Unfortunately there's not a one-to-one relationship between each criterion and its corresponding standard
  • they are applied across all of the technologies that create the digital accessibility landscape
  • the steps to show conformance will vary with each application of the corresponding technology
  • this may cause confusion as it allows for interpretation in proving conformance

Best Practice avoid barriers between your consumers and the corresponding content and technologies.  This will naturally meet higher WCAG standards, increase usability (and for web applications and content -- will improve Search Engine Optimization).