WCAG and success criteria
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines organize testable accessibility requirements into success criteria. Always identify the version and conformance level in a project scope: “WCAG compliant” leaves important details unstated. A WCAG audit evaluates an agreed set of pages and tasks and documents findings against the relevant criteria.
Conformance levels: A, AA and AAA
WCAG criteria are assigned levels A, AA, or AAA. A Level AA target includes the applicable Level A and AA requirements; it is not an average score across tests. A conformance claim also has requirements beyond an individual checklist item. The required target should come from the organization’s requirements or the buyer’s request.
Section 508
Section 508 addresses accessibility of federal information and communication technology. The Revised 508 Standards include WCAG-based requirements and additional provisions applicable to ICT. A Section 508 procurement review should identify which products, content, hardware, documentation, and support are in scope.
VPAT and Accessibility Conformance Report
A VPAT is the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template published by ITI. An ACR is the completed report describing a product’s accessibility conformance. The report records the product version, evaluation methods, ratings, and remarks. Read the VPAT vs. ACR guide before choosing an edition or responding to a buyer.
Assistive technology and screen readers
Assistive technology helps people interact with digital systems. A screen reader presents content and interface information through speech or braille. Other tools support magnification, speech input, or alternative controls. Testing must consider the interactions relevant to the product; supporting one tool does not prove that every user need has been addressed.
Accessible name, role and state
An accessible name identifies an interface element, its role describes the kind of control, and its state communicates information such as expanded or selected. Assistive technologies use this information when presenting the interface. A visible icon alone may not provide the name a person needs to understand a button.
Keyboard focus and focus order
Focus identifies the element currently receiving keyboard input. A visible focus indicator helps users locate it. Focus order is the sequence in which controls receive focus. During testing, examine whether that sequence follows the task and whether opening or closing an interaction moves focus to a sensible location.
Landmarks, headings and skip links
Landmarks identify major page regions, headings organize content, and skip links provide a way past repeated content. These features help users navigate without reading every item in sequence. Their labels and structure should match the content. The testing checklist includes practical ways to review navigation.
Reflow and text alternatives
Reflow lets content adapt to a narrower presentation without losing information or functionality, subject to the applicable criterion’s exceptions. Text alternatives communicate the purpose of meaningful non-text content. Both require context: fitting text onto a screen and inserting any description are not sufficient by themselves.
Remediation and regression testing
Remediation is the work of correcting accessibility barriers. Retesting checks whether an identified issue was fixed; regression testing also looks for problems introduced elsewhere. A useful remediation plan connects the finding, owner, correction, evidence, and current status.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between accessibility conformance and usability?
Conformance describes whether specified requirements are met. Usability concerns how effectively people can understand and complete tasks in context. They overlap, but a conformance assessment does not capture every person's experience. Evaluation against criteria and research with people with disabilities can provide different, complementary evidence. State which activity was performed rather than using the terms interchangeably.
Does Level AA mean passing an average of accessibility checks?
No. Level AA is a conformance target that includes the applicable Level A and AA success criteria, together with WCAG's conformance requirements. It is not an average score where passing one check cancels a failure elsewhere. A tool's percentage score should therefore not be presented as the percentage to which a site conforms to WCAG.
How are an audit report, an ACR, and a remediation plan different?
An audit report documents evaluation findings. An ACR summarizes product conformance against specified reporting criteria. A remediation plan assigns and organizes the work needed to address barriers. The documents should agree about the product and known issues, but each serves a different reader need. The VPAT and ACR guide and remediation guide explain the reporting and follow-up steps.
Why do reports identify product versions and testing environments?
Accessibility findings describe what was evaluated under particular conditions. A changed build, browser, device, or configuration may produce different results. Recording those details lets teams reproduce issues and decide whether evidence remains relevant after a release. It also helps a buyer determine whether a report describes the product it intends to use.