{"id":15229,"date":"2023-09-22T14:20:11","date_gmt":"2023-09-22T18:20:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/blog\/understanding-wcag-guidelines\/"},"modified":"2025-09-12T21:45:53","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T21:45:53","slug":"understanding-wcag-guidelines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/blog\/understanding-wcag-guidelines\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding WCAG Guidelines"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-dark alignfull p-post-header has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained has-background is-style-dark--1\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);background-image:url(&#039;\/wp-content\/themes\/core\/assets\/media\/backgrounds\/hero-wave-blog.svg&#039;);background-position:50% 50%;background-size:cover;\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aligngrid has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons aligngrid is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-ghost is-style-reversed is-style-ghost--2\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/blog\">Blog<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity aligngrid\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:0\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center aligngrid is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-008400e6 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div style=\"padding-bottom:0;padding-top:0;\" class=\"is-style-category wp-block-tribe-terms\"><ul class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__list\"><li class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__term\"><span class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__link t-category\">Legislation &amp; Compliance<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n<h1 style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:0;\" class=\"alignwide wp-block-post-title\">Understanding WCAG Guidelines<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9116416d wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><div class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/blog\/author\/3playmedia\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-name__link\">3Play Media<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u2022<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-date has-10-font-size\"><time datetime=\"2023-09-22T14:20:11+00:00\">September 22, 2023<\/time><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><figure class=\"alignfull alignfull wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Understanding-WCAG-Guidelines.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"border-radius:1rem;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Understanding-WCAG-Guidelines.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Understanding-WCAG-Guidelines-300x107.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Understanding-WCAG-Guidelines-1024x366.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Understanding-WCAG-Guidelines-768x274.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/go.3playmedia.com\/wp-wcag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WCAG 2.0 &amp; Beyond: Modernizing Web Accessibility [Free eBook]<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/WAI\/standards-guidelines\/wcag\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>WCAG<\/strong><\/span><\/a>) remain among the most comprehensive and relevant accessibility standards since their inception over two decades ago. These guidelines offer a structured approach to creating digital content that is both accessible to all web users and compliant with worldwide legal requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may have recently heard about WCAG during an audit of your organization\u2019s website. Or you may be well-acquainted with WCAG 2.0, but need further information about newer versions. Regardless of your WCAG knowledge, it\u2019s important to have all of the information you need in your pursuit of web accessibility. In this blog, we aim to provide just that: a high-level overview of WCAG guidelines.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding WCAG guidelines will not only allow you and your organization comply with many worldwide web accessibility laws, but will also help you gain a nuanced perspective of how all people\u2013including those with disabilities\u2013use the web. Read on to discover what WCAG is, why its guidelines are important, where it is referenced in the law, and how to learn more using 3Play\u2019s free WCAG resources.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is WCAG?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-30325 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/What-is-WCAG-e1695404247536-600x456-1.jpg\" alt=\"Person thinking while holding a clipboard and pen\" width=\"600\" height=\"456\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, or WCAG, is a set of guidelines for making digital content accessible for all users, including those with disabilities. WCAG was developed by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)<\/strong><\/span><\/a> nearly 30 years ago.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WCAG has been continuously developed and updated, and has a few different versions. The two most relevant WCAG standards are WCAG 2.0 and WCAG 2.1. These versions and guidelines are most frequently referenced in laws and legal settlements across the world as the baseline for web accessibility. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In October 2023, W3C published <a href=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/blog\/the-wcag-2-2-draft-is-here\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>WCAG 2.2<\/strong><\/span><\/a>. This version is now W3C\u2019s recommendation and is expected to be referenced in future legal cases and legislation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overview of WCAG Versions &amp; History<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-30323 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Overview-of-WCAG-Versions-History-e1695404198381-600x460-1.jpg\" alt=\"Three stacked documents labeled with number 1, 2, or 3. Document 3 is on top of the stack with text, an accessibility symbol, and a gear\" width=\"600\" height=\"460\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WCAG 1.0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WCAG 1.0 was released in 1999 and uses a set of guidelines. Each guideline has a checkpoint, which are priority 1, 2, or 3.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WCAG 2.0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WCAG 2.0 was released in 2008 and uses four design principles: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Each principle has a guideline, and each guideline has success criteria, which are further categorized into levels A, AA, or AAA. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/go.3playmedia.com\/wp-wcag\"><b>Discover how WCAG 2.0 and its subsequent updates have modernized web accessibility<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WCAG 2.1<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WCAG 2.1 was released in 2018 and is backwards compatible with WCAG 2.0. The 2.0 success criteria are the same as in 2.1, but 2.1 has additional guidelines.\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/blog\/know-wcag21\/\"><b>Learn more about the differences between versions 2.0 and 2.1<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WCAG 2.2<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WCAG 2.2 was published in October of 2023. This version is backwards compatible with versions 2.0 and 2.1, with 9 additional guidelines as well as the removal of 4.1.1 Parsing. WCAG 2.2 is W3C\u2019s current recommendation. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/WAI\/standards-guidelines\/wcag\/new-in-22\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Keep up with the latest WCAG 2.2 updates<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/blog\/the-wcag-2-2-draft-is-here\/\"><b>learn about the changes<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WCAG 3.0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WCAG 3.0 is considered a draft as of September 2023, with no current timeline for publishing. The current draft updates conformance levels to Bronze, Silver, and Gold. This draft also replaces Success Criteria with Outcomes, which is defined by W3C as \u201cverifiable statements that allow testers to reliably determine if the content being evaluated satisfies the user needs identified in the Guideline.\u201d Outcomes are expected to be assigned ratings, which will inform whether or not the website meets Bronze, Silver, or Gold conformance levels. Stay updated on the latest <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/wcag-3.0\/\"><b>WCAG 3.0 draft<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/blog\/wcag-3-draft\/\"><b>learn what to expect as further updates are made<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Current WCAG Guidelines, Explained<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-30330 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/POUR-principles-WCAG-e1695405475900-600x528-1.jpg\" alt=\"Four squares with WCAG POUR principles. Perceivable. A person holding a tablet. Operable. A person using a laptop computer. Understandable A person holding a tablet. Robust. A person raising their hands wide in the air.\" width=\"600\" height=\"528\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">POUR Principles<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WCAG versions 2.0 and later follow four essential principles of accessibility: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. These are also referred to as the POUR Principles.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Perceivable<\/strong>: Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Operable<\/strong>: User interface components and navigation must be operable.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Understandable<\/strong>: Information and the operation of user interface must be understandable.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Robust<\/strong>: Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Success Criteria<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under each guideline, success criteria are provided to allow WCAG to be used where requirements and conformance testing are needed. Success criteria have associated levels of conformance (A, AA, or AAA) to help you understand the most critical web accessibility needs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/WAI\/WCAG21\/Understanding\/conformance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Learn more about Success Criteria conformance for WCAG<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For each guideline and success criteria, WCAG additionally contains techniques for meeting them. Sufficient techniques are considered to be reliable ways to meet success criteria. Advisory techniques are suggested ways to meet success criteria. Advisory techniques may not be sufficient to meet the full requirements of a given success criteria, but can often be helpful to some users who would not be able to access web content otherwise. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/WAI\/WCAG21\/Understanding\/understanding-techniques\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Learn more about Techniques for WCAG Success Criteria<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conformance Levels<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each guideline under WCAG 2.0 and beyond has a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/WCAG21\/#conformance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>level of conformance<\/strong><\/span><\/a> assigned to each success criteria associated with it \u2013 Level A, AA, or AAA:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Level A<\/strong>: The highest priority and usually easiest to achieve.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Level AA<\/strong>: More comprehensive and often cited as the standard to meet.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Level AAA<\/strong>: The strictest, most comprehensive accessible design standard, and therefore, the least common level to meet.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you incorporate WCAG guidelines into your website\u2019s design, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/go.3playmedia.com\/wcag-2.0-2.1-compliance-checklist\"><b>use our free checklist<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to ensure compliance with the necessary success criteria and conformance levels you\u2019re aiming to meet.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WCAG Video Accessibility Guidelines<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-30326 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/WCAG-Video-Accessibility-Guidelines-e1695404076235-600x509-1.jpg\" alt=\"A hand holding a smartphone with a video playing on it: two smiling people stand side by side\" width=\"600\" height=\"509\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/blog\/wcag-2-0-requirements-for-video-captioning-and-audio-description\/\"><b>Video accessibility guidelines<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are the same in both WCAG versions 2.0 and 2.1.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Level A<\/strong>: (1.2.2) Captions are provided for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media, except when the media is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such. (1.2.3) An alternative for time-based media or audio description of the prerecorded video content is provided for synchronized media, except when the media is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Level AA<\/strong>: In addition to Level A compliance: (1.2.4) Captions are provided for all live audio content in synchronized media. (1.2.5) Audio description is provided for all prerecorded video content in synchronized media.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Level AAA<\/strong>: In addition to Level A and AA compliance: (1.2.6) Sign language interpretation is provided for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media. (1.2.7) Where pauses in foreground audio are insufficient to allow audio descriptions to convey the sense of the video, extended audio description is provided for all prerecorded video content in synchronized media.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WCAG\u2019s video accessibility guidelines are among the easiest to implement for a compliant and inclusive web experience. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/go.3playmedia.com\/wp-practical-guide-wcag-video-accessibility\"><b>Discover everything you need to know about WCAG in the context of video accessibility.<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height: 20px;\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-blue-blank\" href=\"https:\/\/go.3playmedia.com\/wp-wcag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">How WCAG is modernizing the web \ud83c\udf1f<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height: 20px;\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WCAG &amp; the Law<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-30327 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/WCAG-the-Law-e1695403995255-600x496-1.jpg\" alt=\"Hand with gavel over a computer monitor\" width=\"600\" height=\"496\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the United States, WCAG 2.0 AA or WCAG 2.1 AA is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/blog\/us-laws-video-accessibility\/\"><b>often referenced<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in legislative updates and documents like \u201cDear Colleague\u201d letters. These legal callouts have set a precedent in many ADA-based cases, establishing WCAG as the standard for organizations to follow, as it provides the most comprehensive web accessibility guidelines available today.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">United States<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ADA<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WCAG has been increasingly referenced in ADA-based lawsuits and settlements over the past decade. While it is not directly part of ADA legislation yet, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) often points to WCAG guidelines as an example of what standards organizations need to meet for optimal captioning and audio description compliance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The DOJ recently <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/pr\/justice-department-advances-proposed-rule-strengthen-web-and-mobile-app-access-people\"><b>announced<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> its intent to strengthen web and mobile accessibility under <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ada.gov\/law-and-regs\/title-ii-2010-regulations\/\"><b>Title II of the ADA<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.regulations.gov\/document\/DOJ-CRT-2023-0007-0001\/\"><b>Details of the proposed rule<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> were made available on August 3, 2023. Read the full <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ada.gov\/assets\/_pdfs\/web-accessibility-NPRM.pdf\"><b>Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)<\/b><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or review the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ada.gov\/notices\/2023\/07\/20\/web-nprm\/\"><b>ADA\u2019s Fact Sheet<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the NPRM.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The NPRM references<\/span><b> WCAG 2.1 Level AA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as the technical standard state and local governments would need to follow, but it is important to remember that this proposed rule is just that\u2026 for now. The DOJ is soliciting feedback about the proposal through October 3, 2023, and encourages folks <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ada.gov\/notices\/2023\/07\/20\/web-nprm\/\"><b>to submit their thoughts via regulations.gov or directly mailing comments to the DOJ<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Section 508<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enacted in 1973, the Rehabilitation Act originally addressed disability discrimination for federal entities or organizations receiving federal funding. Two amendments, Sections 504 and 508, broadened the act\u2019s application to online video content.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Section 508 mandates accessibility for electronic media or IT in federal programs or services. While this section doesn\u2019t explicitly extend beyond federal agencies, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.section508.gov\/manage\/laws-and-policies\/state\"><b>many states passed laws<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> known as \u201clittle 508 laws\u201d that extend the section\u2019s reach to organizations that receive federal funding.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Section 508 requires compliance with WCAG 2.0 Level A and Level AA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/go.3playmedia.com\/wp-section-508\"><b>Get a detailed overview and analysis of Section 508 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Canada<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AODA<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-new-aoda-regulations\/\"><b>Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, otherwise known as the AODA, is an accessibility law based in Ontario, Canada, and it regulates standards across government, public, and private sectors. It was enacted in 2005 to create a barrier-free Ontario by 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under the AODA, all large private and non-profit organizations with 50 or more employees and all public sector organizations are required to make their websites accessible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The AODA mandates that web content and online video must conform to WCAG 2.0 AA success criteria<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with two exceptions: criteria 1.2.4 (live captions) and criteria 1.2.5 (audio descriptions).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/go.3playmedia.com\/wp-aoda\"><b>Learn more about how the AODA impacts web accessibility<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Worldwide<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around the world, a number of countries have adopted some form of WCAG in their respective accessibility laws. Some, such as Canada and Israel, require conformance with <\/span><b>WCAG 2.0 and beyond<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Others, like Japan, do not require WCAG, but reference it in legislation or have implemented similar\/equivalent guidelines.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/go.3playmedia.com\/wcag-around-the-globe\"><b>Discover how WCAG is being implemented worldwide<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"su-box su-box-style-default\" style=\"border-color: #b3003c; border-radius: 5px;\">\n<div class=\"su-box-title\" style=\"background-color: #e6006f; color: #ffffff; border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px;\">Should I aim to comply with WCAG 2.0, 2.1, or 2.2?<\/div>\n<div class=\"su-box-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"border-bottom-left-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px;\">Most North American laws, such as Section 508 and AODA, currently mention WCAG 2.0 compliance. But in recent years, WCAG 2.1 has started making its way into proposed legislative updates and other guidelines.\n<p>WCAG 2.0 AA remains the primary standard that most organizations should meet. At this time, only if a law explicitly states that web developers have to adapt to a newer WCAG version, are you required to make your content WCAG 2.1 or WCAG 2.2 compliant.<\/p>\n<p>The W3C suggests that any new websites should be created following <a href=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/blog\/the-wcag-2-2-draft-is-here\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>WCAG 2.2 guidelines<\/strong><\/span><\/a> since they are more inclusive and provide broader support for users with disabilities. Organizations should move towards meeting WCAG 2.2 to align with the W3C\u2019s suggestions and future legal updates.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why You Should Implement WCAG Guidelines<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-30324 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Understanding-WCAG-Guidelines-1-e1695403922199-600x411-1.jpg\" alt=\"People with disabilities marching together\" width=\"600\" height=\"411\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WCAG was created to make the digital world more accessible to all. With over 1 billion people in the world with some form of a recognized disability, it\u2019s imperative for organizations to prioritize accessible digital experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By implementing WCAG 2.0, 2.1, or 2.2 Level AA-compliant website features, businesses, public entities, and individuals alike can ensure:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accessibility is never an afterthought<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Equal access is provided to all<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Legal risks are minimized<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Market reach expands to billions of users<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Committing to web accessibility can help your digital presence thrive. It is not only a social responsibility, but a strategic decision that allows everyone to succeed in the digital age.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"featured-snippet\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f2; padding: 30px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #ffffff; padding: 20px; max-width: 95%; margin-bottom: 20px; border: 2px solid #E6006F;\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left; color: #e6006f;\"><strong>Explore WCAG guidelines in greater depth using 3Play\u2019s free resources:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/go.3playmedia.com\/wp-wcag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>WCAG 2.0 &amp; Beyond: Modernizing Web Accessibility<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/go.3playmedia.com\/wp-practical-guide-wcag-video-accessibility\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>A Practical Guide to WCAG Video Accessibility Requirements<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/resources\/recorded-webinars\/wbnr-10-01-2020-wcag\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>12 Things You Need to Know About WCAG 2.1: How it Impacts Your Work &amp; Laws Around the Globe<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/resources\/recorded-webinars\/wbnr-12-02-2021-wcag\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Implementing WCAG 2.2 Into Your Digital Strategy<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/go.3playmedia.com\/wcag-around-the-globe\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>WCAG Around the Globe<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/go.3playmedia.com\/wcag-2.0-2.1-compliance-checklist\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>WCAG 2.0 &amp; 2.1 Compliance Checklist<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/resources\/recorded-webinars\/wbnr-01-14-2021-achieving-web-accessibility\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Practical First Steps to Achieving Web Accessibility and Reducing Liability Risk<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/go.3playmedia.com\/wp-wcag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-30321 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/WCAG-2.0-and-Beyond.jpg\" alt=\"WCAG 2.0 and Beyond: Modernizing Web Accessibility. Download the e-book.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"286\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This blog post is written for educational and general information purposes only, and does not constitute specific legal advice. This blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" style=\"margin-bottom:0\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c28011a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p style=\"margin-top:0\">Filed under<\/p>\n\n\n<div style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);\" class=\"is-style-pills wp-block-tribe-terms\"><ul class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__list\"><li class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__term\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/blog\/tag\/blog\/\" class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__link t-category\">Blog<\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__term\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/blog\/tag\/corporate\/\" class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__link t-category\">Corporate<\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__term\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/blog\/tag\/education\/\" class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__link t-category\">Education<\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__term\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/blog\/tag\/web-accessibility\/\" class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__link t-category\">Web Accessibility<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-dda23514 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<p style=\"margin-top:0\">About the author<\/p>\n\n\n<div style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);\" class=\"wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__avatar\"><img alt='' src='https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/077af0eed48d15985c692daeff79eaff223726049f53bd6ef9a51ffb76629ed1?s=96&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g' srcset='https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/077af0eed48d15985c692daeff79eaff223726049f53bd6ef9a51ffb76629ed1?s=192&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-96 photo' height='96' width='96' \/><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/blog\/author\/3playmedia\/\" target=\"_self\">3Play Media<\/a><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__bio\"><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe217b39 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:0\">Share this page<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe217b39 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing has-normal-icon-size has-icon-color is-style-logos-only is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-outermost-social-sharing-is-layout-95ca00fe wp-block-social-sharing-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\"><li style=\"color: #767676; 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margin-bottom:0;\" class=\"p-card-post__image wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ada-auditing-budgeting.png\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"person typing on calculator\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ada-auditing-budgeting.png 600w, https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ada-auditing-budgeting-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div style=\"margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);\" class=\"is-style-category wp-block-tribe-terms\"><ul class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__list\"><li class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__term\"><span class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__link t-category\">Legislation &amp; Compliance<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;\" class=\"p-card-post__link wp-block-post-title\">A University Guide to Budgeting and Auditing for ADA Video Compliance<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n<a class=\"p-card-post__link a-link-cover wp-block-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/blog\/ada-video-compliance-budgeting\/\" target=\"_self\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">: A University Guide to Budgeting and Auditing for ADA Video Compliance<\/span><\/a><\/article>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-15026 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-legislation-compliance tag-accessibility-laws tag-ada tag-blog tag-wcag\">\n\n<article class=\"wp-block-group p-card-post l-clearfix is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:0\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;width:100%; margin-bottom:0;\" class=\"p-card-post__image wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"393\" src=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ada-video-requirements-hero-e1762464429188.png\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"person at laptop with judge&#039;s gavel\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ada-video-requirements-hero-e1762464429188.png 600w, https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ada-video-requirements-hero-e1762464429188-300x197.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div style=\"margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);\" class=\"is-style-category wp-block-tribe-terms\"><ul class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__list\"><li class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__term\"><span class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__link t-category\">Legislation &amp; Compliance<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;\" class=\"p-card-post__link wp-block-post-title\">Everything to Know About the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Video Compliance<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n<a class=\"p-card-post__link a-link-cover wp-block-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/blog\/ada-video-requirements\/\" target=\"_self\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">: Everything to Know About the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Video Compliance<\/span><\/a><\/article>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-15201 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-dubbing category-subtitling tag-blog tag-video-accessibility\">\n\n<article class=\"wp-block-group p-card-post l-clearfix is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:0\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;width:100%; margin-bottom:0;\" class=\"p-card-post__image wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/subs-v-dubs-hero.png\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"couple watching tv\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/subs-v-dubs-hero.png 600w, https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/subs-v-dubs-hero-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div style=\"margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);\" class=\"is-style-category wp-block-tribe-terms\"><ul class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__list\"><li class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__term\"><span class=\"wp-block-tribe-terms__link t-category\">Subtitling<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;\" class=\"p-card-post__link wp-block-post-title\">Subtitling vs. Dubbing: Which is Right for Your Audience?<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n<a class=\"p-card-post__link a-link-cover wp-block-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.3playmedia.com\/blog\/subtitling-vs-dubbing\/\" target=\"_self\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">: Subtitling vs. Dubbing: Which is Right for Your Audience?<\/span><\/a><\/article>\n\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u2022 WCAG 2.0 &amp; Beyond: Modernizing Web Accessibility [Free eBook] Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) remain among the most comprehensive and relevant accessibility standards since their inception over two decades ago. These guidelines offer a structured approach to creating digital content that is both accessible to all web users and compliant with worldwide legal requirements&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":63,"featured_media":2676,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[138],"tags":[8,63,25,21],"industry":[],"resource_type":[92],"class_list":["post-15229","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-legislation-compliance","tag-blog","tag-corporate","tag-education","tag-web-accessibility"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v26.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Understanding WCAG Guidelines<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In this blog, learn what WCAG is, why its guidelines are important, where it is referenced 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