As academic libraries are public sector bodies, to ensure we meet our legal requirements, most international laws require public sector bodies to meet the WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility standard.
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is the governing body that publishes the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). WCAG 2.2 was released in October 2023. WCAG 2.2 contains four principles:
Perceivable: Information and elements on the website or app need to be presented in a way that everyone can perceive with their senses. This means things like using alt text for images, providing captions for videos, and offering adjustable font sizes.
Operable: Users must be able to interact with the website or app using different methods. This could involve making sure the site works well with keyboards, voice commands, or assistive technologies used by people with mobility limitations.
Understandable: The content and the way it's presented on the website or app should be clear and easy to grasp. This means using plain language, avoiding technical jargon, and providing clear instructions.
Robust: The website or app needs to work well with a variety of assistive technologies and devices. This ensures it's compatible with current tools and allows for future accessibility advancements.
WCAG 2.2 contains 86 success criteria, which are grouped into three conformance levels:
Level A (basic level)
Level AA (recommended level)
Level AAA (the highest level)
Public sector bodies are required by legislation to adhere to WCAG conformance levels A and AA in the United Kingdom (UK).
