WCAG are hard to understand.
A hands-on approach can help.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the cornerstone of digital accessibility. But they can be daunting, especially for beginners. This project bridges the gap between WCAG's theoretical principles and their practical application in user interface design through interactive examples and explanations, making accessibility more approachable.
Demonstrating WCAG-Level changes live
As an interactive example, an exemplary website use case can be adjusted dynamically to the WCAG Levels A, AA, and AAA. Alongside explanations and commentary, this approach makes abstract rules more tangible – digital accessibility, hands-on.
Essential Accessibility
Basic requirements to ensure that people with disabilities can use a website.
Advanced Accessibility
Expands the basic requirements, improves usability for a larger group of people, and removes most common barriers.
Specialized Accessibility
Ensures that a website is accessible to as many people as possible, including those with severe impairments.
Project Insights
In the creation of this project, I had some key insights that helped me understand the principles of digital accessibility better.
01 Accessibility: A Journey, not a Destination
Accessibility is not a fixed state but an ongoing process that must be regularly reviewed and adapted to new technologies and user needs. This dynamic nature should always be considered in projects. Every step toward greater accessibility is valuable.
02 Accessibility Enhances Usability
Many WCAG guidelines support fundamental usability principles, such as clear navigation, sufficient contrast, and readable font sizes. These measures not only benefit people with disabilities but also improve the experience for all users.
03 Context is Key
Not all WCAG rules apply to every digital product. For example, live video accessibility requirements are irrelevant if no live videos are used in a project. The WCAG should be seen as a flexible framework rather than a rigid rulebook, to be applied contextually.
04 Categorization by Media Types
The WCAG guidelines can be categorized meaningfully by media types (e.g., text, images, video) and objectives (e.g., perceivability, operability). This structure helps manage the 78 success criteria and allows teams to focus on the rules most relevant to their project.
05 No One-Size-Fits-All Solutions
For many WCAG success criteria, there are multiple ways to meet the requirements, allowing flexible implementation strategies. This flexibility enables project teams to develop creative solutions that align with technical standards and individual project goals.
06 Accessibility is Interdisciplinary
The integration of accessibility requires collaboration across disciplines, including design, development, and content creation. Shared understanding and clear communication are essential for systematically implementing WCAG guidelines.
07 Limits of Automation
Some WCAG aspects, such as content comprehension (e.g., plain language), cannot be reliably assessed through automated testing. These must be evaluated through manual review and iterative user testing.
08 A Shift in Perspective Helps
Engaging with real user needs—such as experiencing assistive technologies or testing with constraints (e.g., using a service with only one finger or a stylus)—builds empathy and a deeper understanding of accessibility. This hands-on experience is a strong motivator for designers and developers.