Module 2: Accessibility Guidelines and Standards

Enter WCAG – the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines! WCAG serves as the backbone of digital accessibility, providing a robust framework to ensure that digital content is accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities. Crafted by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), WCAG comprises four core principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR). These principles act as guiding stars, illuminating the path towards creating inclusive digital experiences.

• Perceivable: This principle emphasizes the importance of making content perceivable to all users. It involves providing alternatives for non-text content, ensuring that everyone can access and understand the information presented.

• Operable: Operability is key to accessibility. This principle focuses on making digital content operable by all users, regardless of their input method or assistive technology. It involves ensuring that all functionalities can be accessed and operated through various means, such as keyboard navigation or voice commands.

• Understandable: Understanding is the cornerstone of accessibility. This principle highlights the need for content to be understandable to all users, regardless of their cognitive abilities or language proficiency. It involves presenting information in a clear and predictable manner, enabling users to comprehend and navigate the content effectively.

• Robust: Robustness ensures the longevity and compatibility of digital content. This principle emphasizes the use of technologies and coding practices that can be reliably interpreted by a wide range of user agents, including assistive technologies. It involves creating content that remains accessible across different devices, browsers, and platforms.