New Accessibility Recommendation Published

Illustration: WCAG 2.1

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 address gaps in WCAG 2.0.

On June 5, 2018, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 became a World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Recommendation. The new standard is the first update since WCAG 2.0 became an official W3C Recommendation in 2008. Around 100 people worldwide were involved in 2.1's creation, including Laura Carlson, ITSS staff member.

WCAG is University of Minnesota Accessibility Policy

WCAG 2.0 AA has been the University of Minnesota accessibility standard since January 2014 as announced in an ITSS newsletter article.

The W3C encourages use of the most current version of WCAG when developing or updating web accessibility policies. The University of Minnesota Accessibility policy is currently under revision.

Backwards Compatible

WCAG 2.1 extends 2.0. Content that conforms to WCAG 2.1 also conforms to WCAG 2.0. This is often called "backwards compatible". Therefore, a website that meets WCAG 2.1 should meet the requirements of policies that reference WCAG 2.0. As previously announced 2.1 adds new Success Criteria (SC) to help address gaps in WCAG 2.0.

What's New in 2.1?

17 new Success Criteria help address content viewed on small display sizes and used with touch and stylus-based input modalities. In addition, new SCs help address the needs of people with low vision, cognitive disabilities, and others.

New Success Criteria
SC Level Short Explanation Who is Helped? Details
Orientation AA Don't restrict content to solely a landscape or portrait position. People with dexterity disabilities who have their device mounted, or who cannot change orientation and people with low vision Understanding Orientation
Identify Input Purpose AA Make the meaning of common form inputs available with technology. e.g. using autocomplete. People with cognitive and motor disabilities Understanding Identify Input Purpose
Identify Purpose AAA Make the meaning of all controls (not just form inputs) available with technology. People with cognitive disabilities, low vision, and others who need to personalize their interface Understanding Identify Purpose
Reflow AA Make sure content can be enlarged without requiring horizontal scrolling. Content needs to wrap to fit the width of the window. People with low vision Understanding Reflow
Non-Text Contrast AA Make sure important visual information meets the same minimum contrast that is required for larger text. People who need help seeing or perceiving information in graphics, interactive components, and focus indicators Understanding Non-text Contrast
Text Spacing AA Allow for spacing that may be a little spread out. People with dyslexia and people with low vision who utilize user style sheets. Understanding Text Spacing
Content on Hover or Focus AA If content appears/disappears on hover or focus, it needs to be designed so that everyone can operate and perceive it. People with low vision, cognitive, and dexterity disabilities Understanding Content on Hover or Focus
Timeouts AAA Let people know how long they can be inactive before they lose information. People with cognitive disabilities Understanding Timeouts
Animation from Interactions AAA Allow people to turn off unnecessary motion effects. People with vestibular disabilities Understanding Animation from Interactions
Pointer Gestures A Allow people to operate touch screens with a single finger. People with dexterity, cognitive, and learning disabilities Understanding Pointer Gestures
Pointer Cancellation A Reduce the chance that a control will be accidentally activated (e.g., hitting the wrong control via touch or mouse). People with dexterity, visual, cognitive, and learning disabilities Understanding Pointer Cancellation
Character Key Shortcuts A Make sure custom shortcuts include, or can be made to include, a modifier key. People who use speech input and people with dexterity disabilities Understanding Character Key Shortcuts
Label in Name A Make sure that speaking the visible text label of a control activates it. People who use speech input Understanding Label in Name
Target Size AAA Make controls larger so they can be operated easier. People with physical disabilities and people with low vision Understanding Target Size
Concurrent Input Mechanisms AAA Don't prevent people from using or switching between their choice of input mechanisms ( e.g. touch input, voice input, mouse, keyboard, stylus, etc.) People with limited motor skills who use a certain input mechanism even when it's uncommon. e.g. using a keyboard or mouse when operating a tablet Understanding Concurrent Input Mechanisms
Motion Actuation A Don't rely on device motion alone to control page content. People motor disabilities who have a mounted device, or who cannot shake or tilt a device Understanding Motion Actuation
Status Messages AA Let assistive technologies (e.g. screen readers) notify users when content is updated dynamically. People who use assistive technologies Understanding Status Messages

What's After 2.1?

Accessibility Guidelines Working Group (AGWG) intends to produce further updated guidance for accessibility on a regular interval. That started with WCAG 2.1. The AGWG is also exploring future accessibility guidelines through the Silver Task Force.

Further Information