Latest updates to WCAG 3.0 draft (16 May 2024)

On 16 May 2024, the W3C published a new draft of the Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 3.0, introducing significant changes in several fundamental aspects. In this article we will detail the most relevant new features of the latest draft.

Recall that WCAG 3.0 has been working on presenting a renewed structure and a different conformance model than WCAG 2.2. It now proposes to use terms such as Guidelines, Outcomes, Methods and Tests.

Rather than replacing previous versions, WCAG 3.0 is presented as an alternative set of guidelines. Therefore, when they become an official recommendation, developers, content creators and policy makers will be advised to adopt them to ensure future relevance in accessibility.

Although content that meets WCAG 2.2 Levels A and AA will cover much of the minimum requirements of WCAG 3.0, additional effort will be required to fully comply with these new guidelines due to their additional testing and different evaluation methods.

The latest draft WCAG 3.0 and its structure for further accessibility evaluation 

This new structure allows for a more flexible and detailed assessment of accessibility, covering a broader spectrum of needs of users with disabilities, as well as accessibility on various devices and types of content.

WCAG 3 is designed to address a wide range of user needs, including:

• People with blindness, low vision and other visual impairments.

• People with deafness and hearing loss.

• People with reduced mobility and dexterity.

• People with speech disabilities.

• People with sensory disorders.

• People with cognitive and learning disabilities.

• Persons with combinations of these disabilities.

Some of the objectives established for WCAG 3.0 are:

• Be more understandable and easier to use, especially for non-technical people.

• Meet more of the needs of users, particularly those with cognitive disabilities.

• Be flexible to adapt to different types of web content, publications, applications or tools for different needs of people with disabilities, as well as for different types of organisations; all with an effective compliance model for all.

• Consider the real impact of specific accessibility issues on the experience of the user with a disability.

• Allow small errors that do not significantly affect the user experience so that they do not impede WCAG compliance.

• Motivate organisations to further improve accessibility, rather than stopping at just complying with WCAG 2.2 to achieve AA level.

Current content of the draft WCAG 3.0

The biggest novelty of the latest draft of 16 May 2024 is that in the “Guidelines” section, a list of all the guidelines under serious consideration has been included.

This list is longer than WCAG 2.2 because at this stage the aim is to include as many results as possible. It is important to note that the final list will change, as elements will be added, combined and removed.

Only some of these elements will be necessary for the basic level of accessibility, as this draft seeks to better understand the needs and to receive help in reviewing and validating the guidelines.

 Recall that WCAG 3.0 is designed to be easier to understand and use, especially for non-technical people. In addition, the new standard allows for frequent updating of the guidelines to keep up with the rapid technological evolution.

Some examples of new guidelines included in the draft are:

1. Animation and motion: Seeks to avoid problematic visual and motion effects by allowing them to be paused or prevented.

2. Forms, input and errors: Aims to improve the identification and reporting of errors and clarity of input instructions.

3. Process and task completion: Seeks to ensure sufficient time to complete tasks, report requirements and allow reversal of steps without loss of data.

4. Image and media alternatives: Focuses on providing textual and auditory alternatives for images and media to ensure full accessibility.

5. Interactive components: Aims to ensure that controls and interactive elements are consistent, distinguishable and accessible for all navigation methods.

6. Input/Operation: Seeks to ensure that all functionality is operable by keyboard and other input methods without time constraints.

7. Layout design: Proposes to improve the navigation and organisation of content in order to ensure that relationships and structures are clear.

8. Consistency between views: Seek to maintain consistency in navigation elements and provide multiple ways of finding information.

9. Policy and protection: Proposes to ensure that algorithms are not biased against persons with disabilities and to protect sensitive information.

10. Text and wording: Focus on clear and respectful language, avoiding ambiguous terms and providing definitions for uncommon words.

11. Help and feedback: Aims to provide contextual and consistent help, as well as allowing users to give feedback.

12. User control: Seeks to allow users to customise colours, text styles, as well as manage interruptions and disruptive content.

Incorporation of content from UAAG 2.0 and ATAG 2.0

In this new publication, WCAG 3.0 integrates content from User Agent Accessibility Guidelines (UAAG) 2.0 and Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines (ATAG) 2.0, in order to partially expand their scope to provide a more comprehensive framework for accessibility.

Paragraph 3 of the draft and its new “Model of compliance”

 Section 3 of the draft, entitled “Conformance (Conformance Model)”, introduces a comprehensive approach to assessing and improving accessibility in digital content.

This approach is based on the implementation of guidelines, outcomes and methods, providing a clear and understandable structure for experts and non-experts alike.

The main elements of this compliance model are detailed below:

1.   Guidelines:

• Provide accessibility practices for documented needs of persons with disabilities.

• They have descriptive names and simple explanations.

2.   Outcomes:

• Verifiable statements to assess whether user needs are met.

• Grouped by guidelines and verifiable without relying on specific methods.

• Facilitate the adoption of high levels of accessibility.

3.   Methods:

• Informative, containing techniques, examples and resources.

• They can be technology-specific or generic.

• They support the achievement of results.

4.   Testing outcomes:

• Quantifiable: Consistent across assessors, measuring properties such as colour contrast.

• Qualitative: Based on defined criteria, may vary between evaluators.

5.   Evidence:

• Items: Interactive components or specific content.

• Views: Visual content available without substantial changes.

• User processes: Series of actions to complete a task.

• Product: Combination of all the above elements.

6.   Assertions and procedures:

• Formal statements on procedures to improve accessibility.

• Implemented during design, development and testing.

• Documented and tested based on specific requirements.

7.   Levels of compliance and approaches:

• Introduces three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. This model seeks to incentivise organisations to further improve accessibility beyond minimum compliance:

• Bronze: Minimum level of conformance, where content must meet a subset of outcomes and statements to improve equity in functional needs.

• Silver: Incentivises organisations to go beyond the minimum by accumulating additional points before completing the Bronze level.

• Gold: Highlights organisations that achieve exemplary levels of accessibility, serving as role models.

Concept of severity of the problem

The new model makes it possible to classify accessibility problems according to their severity, identifying those that prevent users from carrying out tasks.

Qualification by adjectives 

Adjectival ratings are introduced, allowing for a more nuanced assessment of results, using terms such as “Fail”, “Pass”, “Better” and “Exceptional”.

Section 4 (normative): User-generated content 

The draft addresses the accessibility of user-generated content, such as images, videos, reviews and comments on social media.

Organisations should identify this content and take steps to improve its accessibility by providing clear guidelines and methods for its assessment.

Assessing and improving accessibilityIt is necessary to identify all areas where user-created content is located and assess whether they are accessible. If problems are identified, steps should be taken to address them and improve the accessibility of this content.

A significant advance in digital accessibility

WCAG 3.0 represents a significant advance in digital accessibility, providing a more optimal framework for addressing the needs of people with disabilities.

 The inclusion of new assessment guidelines, methods and approaches promises to significantly improve the user experience in a constantly evolving digital environment.

This new standard not only covers a broader spectrum of accessibility needs, but also allows for continuous updating to keep pace with accelerating technological change.

So, if you want your website to comply with the accessibility requirements of the new WCAG 3.0 draft, do not hesitate to contact us without obligation.