On 5th June, 2018 Web Accessibilty Initiative of World Wide Web Consortium has announced that Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 has become official recommendation as standard. There has been tremendous efforts by Accessibility Guidelines Working Group which includes task forces for Cognitive, Low Vision and Mobile users. This is an evolution of W3C’s accessibility guidance, including expansion of mobile, low vision, and cognitive and learning provisions. It maintains W3C’s accessibility guidance, while maintaining W3C’s standard of implementable, technology neutral, objectively testable and universally applicable accessibility guidance.
New Support in WCAG 2.1
For users of mobile devices, WCAG 2.1 provides updated guidance including support for user interactions using touch, handling more complex gestures, and for avoiding unintended activation of an interface. For users with low vision, WCAG 2.1 extends contrast requirements to graphics, and introduces new requirements for text and layout customization to support better visual perception of web content and controls. For users with cognitive, language, and learning disabilities, WCAG 2.1 improvements include a requirement to provide information about the specific purpose of input controls, as well as additional requirements to support timeouts due to inactivity. This can help many users better understand web content and how to successfully interact with it.
As with WCAG 2.0, following these guidelines will continue to make content more accessible to a wider range of people with disabilities, including blindness and low vision, deafness and hearing loss, limited movement, speech disabilities, photosensitivity, and learning disabilities and cognitive limitations. Following these guidelines can also make websites more usable for all users.
Read the complete blog post by Andrew and Micheal on W3C Blog
Here are list of New Success Criterions in WCAG 2.1
Guideline 1.3 Adaptable
Create content that can be presented in different ways (for example simpler layout) without losing information or structure.
1.3.4 Orientation (Level AA)
Content does not restrict its view and operation to a single display orientation, such as portrait or landscape, unless a specific display orientation is essential.
Comic with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair:
- Problem:
I can’t rotate my tablet — it’s attached to my wheelchair.
- Works well:
The application works whether I attach my tablet horizontally or vertically.
Understanding Orientation
The purpose of each input field collecting information about the user can be programmatically determined when:
Supermarket assistant with dyslexia and dyscalculia:
- Problem:
My address is so complicated. There’s lots of numbers and long words. It’s hard to type it all without making mistakes.
- Works well:
I love websites that can automatically fill it all in for me. Then I don’t have to work so hard to get the numbers and spelling right.
Note: This works because the fields use autocomplete.
Understanding Identify Input Purpose
1.3.6 Identify Purpose (AAA)
In content implemented using markup languages, the purpose of User Interface Components, icons, and regionscan be programmatically determined.
Gamer with language processing disability:
- Problem:
I have software that changes the words in the navigation into symbols. It doesn’t work at all with some websites.
- Works well:
It works pretty good with some websites.
Understanding Identify Purpose
Guideline 1.4 Distinguishable
Make it easier for users to see and hear content including separating foreground from background.
1.4.10 Reflow (AA)
Content can be presented without loss of information or functionality, and without requiring scrolling in two dimensions for:
- Vertical scrolling content at a width equivalent to 320 CSS pixels;
- Horizontal scrolling content at a height equivalent to 256 CSS pixels;
Except for parts of the content which require two-dimensional layout for usage or meaning.
Parent with low vision – 20/400:
- Problem:
It’s nearly impossible to read text if I have to scroll right and left to read each line. It’s disorienting and I lose my place. It makes it hard to understand what I’m reading.
- Works well:
I increase the text size 400% and it reflowed within the width of the window. I can read it easily without scrolling back and forth.
Understanding Reflow
1.4.11 Non-Text Contrast (AA)
The visual presentation of the following have a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 against adjacent color(s):
- User Interface Components
- Visual information used to indicate states and boundaries of user interface components, except for inactive components or where the appearance of the component is determined by the user agent and not modified by the author;
- Graphical Objects
- Parts of graphics required to understand the content, except when a particular presentation of graphics is essential to the information being conveyed.
Retiree with low contrast sensitivity:
- Problem:
I couldn’t use the “Order Form” — there were no text boxes. After a long call with customer service, I learned there were text box borders that were too light for me to see.
- Works well:
It’s easy for me to see all the icons and buttons and everything — even in the sunlight.
Understanding Non-text Contrast
1.4.12 Text Spacing (AA)
In content implemented using markup languages that support the following text style properties, no loss of content or functionality occurs by setting all of the following and by changing no other style property:
- Line height (line spacing) to at least 1.5 times the font size;
- Spacing following paragraphs to at least 2 times the font size;
- Letter spacing (tracking) to at least 0.12 times the font size;
- Word spacing to at least 0.16 times the font size.
Exception: Human languages and scripts that do not make use of one or more of these text style properties in written text can conform using only the properties that exist for that combination of language and script.
Student with dyslexia:
and Retiree with low vision:
- Problem:
Most text is hard to read. It’s so cluttered I can’t keep my focus. Just increasing the space between lines makes all the difference. When I’m really tired, I also increase the space between words.
- Works well:
OK, I know I’m a bit of a geek, but I’ve perfected a user style sheet to make text spacing just right for me. It’s a relief when websites work with my CSS.
Understanding Text Spacing
1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus (AA)
Where receiving and then removing pointer hover or keyboard focus triggers additional content to become visible and then hidden, the following are true:
- Dismissable
- A mechanism is available to dismiss the additional content without moving pointer hover or keyboard focus, unless the additional content communicates an input error or does not obscure or replace other content;
- Hoverable
- If pointer hover can trigger the additional content, then the pointer can be moved over the additional content without the additional content disappearing;
- Persistent
- The additional content remains visible until the hover or focus trigger is removed, the user dismisses it, or its information is no longer valid.
Exception: The visual presentation of the additional content is controlled by the user agent and is not modified by the author.
Teacher with low vision who uses screen magnification software:
- Problem:
I was moving my mouse around to track what I was looking at on a web page. It helps me keep focused. Then -boom- this little box popped up. It covered what I was trying to read and I couldn’t get it to go away.
- Works well:
I hovered over a word and a box popped up with the definition, but it was mostly off the screen with my magnification. I moved my mouse pointer to the definition box and scrolled the magnified area over to the definition box and it stayed popped up so I could read it.
Understanding Content on Hover or Focus
Guideline 2.1 Keyboard Accessible
Make all functionality available from a keyboard.
2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts (A)
If a keyboard shortcut is implemented in content using only letter (including upper- and lower-case letters), punctuation, number, or symbol characters, then at least one of the following is true:
- Turn off
- A mechanism is available to turn the shortcut off;
- Remap
- A mechanism is available to remap the shortcut to use one or more non-printable keyboard characters (e.g. Ctrl, Alt, etc).
- Active only on focus
- The keyboard shortcut for a user interface component is only active when that component has focus.
Reporter with repetitive stress injury who uses voice recognition software:
- Problem:
When I was using my mail app with voice commands, it kept deleting the messages instead of opening them.
Note: There was a shortcut key for delete that was triggered by something he was saying, and no way to turn off the shortcut keys.
- Works well:
In my spreadsheet application, there’s a setting to turn off or modify character key shortcuts.
Understanding Character Key Shortcuts
Guideline 2.2 Enough Time
Provide users enough time to read and use content.
2.2.6 Timeouts (AAA)
Users are warned of the duration of any user inactivity that could cause data loss, unless the data is preserved for more than 20 hours when the user does not take any actions.
School playground aide with cognitive disabilities:
- Problem:
I was selecting my Employee Benefits and was comparing the different plans. When I went back to select the Health Plan, it had timed out and lost all the information I had already entered.
- Works well:
When I started the Employee Benefits app, it told me how many minutes I had to complete the forms.
Understanding Timeouts
Guideline 2.3 Seizures and Physical Reactions
Do not design content in a way that is known to cause seizures or physical reactions.
2.3.3 Animation from Interactions (AAA)
Motion animation triggered by interaction can be disabled, unless the animation is essential to the functionality or the information being conveyed.
Artist with vestibular disorder:
- Problem:
In the online tax app, as I move my mouse around or tab to different fields, this little bubble with the current balance follows me around the screen. Makes me dizzy and nauseous.
- Works well:
I was so glad there was an option to turn off animations.
Understanding Animation from Interactions
Make it easier for users to operate functionality through various inputs beyond keyboard.
2.5.1 Pointer Gestures (A)
All functionality that uses multipoint or path-based gestures for operation can be operated with a single pointerwithout a path-based gesture, unless a multipoint or path-based gesture is essential.
Comic with cerebral palsy who has limited movement in fingers:
- Problem:
I can’t move my fingers like that. I need another way to zoom in the map.
- Works well:
Good thing there are buttons to zoom in and out.
Understanding Pointer Gestures
2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation (A)
For functionality that can be operated using a single pointer, at least one of the following is true:
- No Down-Event
- The down-event of the pointer is not used to execute any part of the function;
- Abort or Undo
- Completion of the function is on the up-event, and a mechanism is available to abort the function before completion or to undo the function after completion;
- Up Reversal
- The up-event reverses any outcome of the preceding down-event;
- Essential
- Completing the function on the down-event is essential.
Politician with motor disabilities and low vision:
- Problem:
I went to hit the “Mute” button and accidentally touched the “End Call” button instead. It hung up immediately.
- Works well:
In another web conferencing application, if I accidentally touch the “End Call” button, I can just slide my finger off the “End Call” button and it won’t end the call.
Understanding Pointer Cancellation
2.5.3 Label in Name (A)
For user interface components with labels that include text or images of text, the name contains the text that is presented visually.
Reporter with repetitive stress injury who uses voice recognition software:
- Problem:
It understood most of my voice commands until I got to the Send button. I kept saying ‘Send’ and it didn’t work.
Note: It was visually labelled ‘send’ but the ‘name’ in the code was ‘submit’. It would have worked if the ‘name’ started with ‘send’.
Understanding Label in Name
2.5.4 Motion Actuation (A)
Functionality that can be operated by device motion or user motion can also be operated by user interface components and responding to the motion can be disabled to prevent accidental actuation, except when:
- Supported Interface
- The motion is used to operate functionality through an accessibility supported interface;
- Essential
- The motion is essential for the function and doing so would invalidate the activity.
Comic with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair:
- Problem:
I can’t shake my phone; it’s connected to my wheelchair. So there needs to be another way to activate that feature, like a button.
- Problem:
I have tremors, so I need to turn off motion activation — and then be able to do stuff without motion actuation.
- Works well:
My friend has this cool application that looks like a physical spin lock. She rotates the phone to turn to the combination. I can use the same application by typing the numbers directly.
Understanding Motion Actuation
2.5.5 Target Size (AAA)
The size of the target for pointer inputs is at least 44 by 44 CSS pixels except when:
- Equivalent
- The target is available through an equivalent link or control on the same page that is at least 44 by 44 CSS pixels;
- Inline
- The target is in a sentence or block of text;
- User Agent Control
- The size of the target is determined by the user agent and is not modified by the author;
- Essential
- A particular presentation of the target is essential to the information being conveyed.
Retiree with hand tremor (and big fingers):
- Problem:
The buttons are so small, I hit “Cancel” when going for “Submit”. Then I have to start all over again.
- Works well:
This website buttons are big enough that I don’t hit the wrong button even when I’m riding on the bumpy bus.
Understanding Target Size
Web content does not restrict use of input modalities available on a platform except where the restriction is essential, required to ensure the security of the content, or required to respect user settings.
Reporter with repetitive stress injury who uses voice recognition software:
- Problem:
When my RSI acts up, I switch back and forth a lot between keyboard, mouse, stylus, voice. This application doesn’t let me use the stylus when I have a keyboard plugged in.
Understanding Concurrent Input Mechanisms
Guideline 4.1 Compatible
Maximize compatibility with current and future user agents, including assistive technologies.
4.1.3 Status Messages (AA)
In content implemented using markup languages, status messages can be programmatically determined through role or properties such that they can be presented to the user by assistive technologies without receiving focus.
Accountant who is blind and uses a screen reader:
- Problem:
I selected a class for the conference, but I can’t tell if it got added to my schedule.
- Works well:
When I add a meeting to my calendar, I hear a confirmation.
Understanding Status Messages
Above details are reproduced from What’s new in WCAG 2.1 on WAI Website.
ServeOM Inclusion will be happy to assist community in understanding WCAG 2.1, testing products against WCAG 2.1. Do contact us to have a conversation.
Gratitude to everyone involved in building these standards.
