Skip to Content
Great Lakes ADA Center Logo
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Mailing List
  • Listserv
  • Site Map
  • Acronyms
  • Español
  • Contact Us
  • 800-949-4232(V/TTY) to learn more

   Home » WCAG Wednesdays
  • WHAT IS...

    • About Us
    • ADA
    • Technical Assistance
    • Accessible Technology
    • Great Lakes
      Affiliates
    • National Network of ADA Centers
  • INFORMATION

    • Publications
    • Research
    • Legal Briefs
    • Supreme Court Cases
    • Business Tool Kit
    • HOPE Project
  • SERVICES

    • Online Learning Opportunities
    • Training
    • Programs and Services
    • ADA Audio Conference
    • ADA Legal Webinar Series
    • Accessible Technology Webinar Series
  • RESOURCES

    • ADA Resources
    • Current Great Lakes Chronicle
    • Great Lakes Chronicle Archives
    • Current Great Lakes Blog
    • Great Lakes Blog Archives
    • ASL RESOURCE PAGE
    • Employment Resource Hub
QIAT

WCAG Wednesdays!

On April 24, 2024, the Federal Register published the Department of Justice’s final rule updating its regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The final rule has specific requirements about how to ensure that web content and mobile applications (apps) are accessible to people with disabilities, view the Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Governments

Here we explain the Success Criteria for each guideline to make content more accessible to users with disabilities. We identify the goal of the criteria, what is the intention and why it is important. They are broken down by level of conformance as defined in WCAG: A (lowest), AA and AAA (highest).

1. Perceivable

  • 1.1 Text Alternatives
    • 1.1.1 Non-text Content
  • 1.2 Time-Based Media
    • 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only
    • 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded)
    • 1.2.3 Audio Description
    • 1.2.4 Captions (Live)
    • 1.2.5 Audio Description (Live)
  • 1.3 Adaptable
    • 1.3.1 Info and Relationships
    • 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence
    • 1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics
    • 1.3.4 Orientation
    • 1.3.5 Identify Input Purpose
  • 1.4 Distinguishable
    • 1.4.1 Use of Color
    • 1.4.2 Audio Control
    • 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)
    • 1.4.4 Resize Text
    • 1.4.5 Images of Text
    • 1.4.10 Reflow
    • 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast
    • 1.4.12 Text Spacing
    • 1.4.13 Hover or Focus
Icon showing an image with mountains and sun, and symbols for alternative text and captioning.

AAA Level Guidelines+

  • 1.2.6 Sign Language
  • 1.2.7 Extended Audio Description
  • 1.2.8 Media Alternative
  • 1.2.9 Audio-only (Live)
  • 1.3.6 Identify Purpose
  • 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced)
  • 1.4.7 Background Audio
  • 1.4.8 Visual Presentation
  • 1.4.9 Images of Text (No Exception)

2. Operable

  • 2.1 Keyboard Accessible
    • 2.1.1 Keyboard
    • 2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap
    • 2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts
  • 2.2 Enough Time
    • 2.2.1 Timing Adjustable
    • 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide
  • 2.3 Seizures and Reactions
    • 2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold
  • 2.4 Navigable
    • 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks
    • 2.4.2 Page Titled
    • 2.4.3 Focus Order
    • 2.4.4 Link Purpose (Context)
    • 2.4.5 Multiple Ways
    • 2.4.6 Headings and Labels
    • 2.4.7 Focus Visible
  • 2.5 Input Modalities
    • 2.5.1 Pointer Gestures
    • 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation
    • 2.5.3 Label in Name
    • 2.5.4 Motion Actuation
A Keyboard image on white background

AAA Level Guidelines+

  • 2.1.3 Keyboard (No Exception)
  • 2.2.3 No Timing
  • 2.2.4 Interruptions
  • 2.2.5 Re-authenticating
  • 2.2.6 Timeouts
  • 2.3.2 Three Flashes
  • 2.3.3 Animation from Interactions
  • 2.4.8 Location
  • 2.4.9 Link Purpose (Link Only)
  • 2.4.10 Section Headings
  • 2.5.5 Target Size (Enhanced)
  • 2.5.6 Concurrent Input Mechanisms

3. Understandable

  • 3.1 Readable
    • 3.1.1 Language of Page
    • 3.1.2 Language of Parts
  • 3.2 Predictable
    • 3.2.1 On Focus
    • 3.2.2 On Input
    • 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation
    • 3.2.4 Consistent Identification
  • 3.3 Input Assistance
    • 3.3.1 Error Identification
    • 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions
    • 3.3.3 Error Suggestion
    • 3.3.4 Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data)
A earth with different flags of different countries

AAA Level Guidelines+

  • 3.1.3 Unusual Words
  • 3.1.4 Abbreviations
  • 3.1.5 Reading Level
  • 3.1.6 Pronunciation
  • 3.2.5 Change on Request
  • 3.3.5 Help
  • 3.3.6 Error Prevention (All)

4. Robust

  • 4.1 Compatible
    • 4.1.1 Parsing
    • 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value
    • 4.1.3 Status Messages
assistive technology

AAA Level Guidelines+

    No AAA level guidelines in Robust

Last Updated on:
Tue Sep 30, 2025


UIC Department of Disability and Human Development's Logo
ACL Logo

Grant Disclaimer    Accessibility Statement     Contact Us
ADA National Network Logo