WCAG and Digital Accessibility: Guidelines for Making Web Content More Accessible
Understanding WCAG: What Is Digital Accessibility and Why It Matters
Digital accessibility refers to the inclusive design and development of websites and applications to ensure that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with online content. According to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), digital accessibility addresses the needs of users with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments.
The goal is to make web content more accessible for everyone by eliminating accessibility barriers. Digital accessibility is not only a matter of usability but also a legal obligation under growing global accessibility laws, such as the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and national acts including the Polish law on accessibility from April 4, 2019.
WCAG Guidelines: The Technical Standard for Web Accessibility
WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, a globally recognized technical standard developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) through its Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) and the Accessibility Guidelines Working Group.
The most widely adopted versions of WCAG are:
- WCAG 2.0 (2008)
- WCAG 2.1 (2018)
- WCAG 2.2 (2023) – the latest update
- WCAG 3.0 (in progress)
The version of the guidelines required by law may vary by country. In Poland, legal compliance currently requires conformance to WCAG 2.1 at level AA.
Understanding WCAG Conformance Levels: A, AA, and AAA
WCAG conformance is measured by levels:
- Level A: Basic accessibility requirements
- Level AA: Intermediate compliance (required for most organizations)
- Level AAA: Advanced accessibility for optimal user experience
WCAG 2.1 success criteria at level AA include:
- Sufficient contrast between text and background
- Accessible navigation via keyboard
- Descriptive alternative text for images
- Clear and understandable error messages
- Structured content using proper headings and landmarks
These success criteria from WCAG 2.0 and 2.1 are essential to improve the accessibility of web content.
Accessibility Requirements Under the European Accessibility Act
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) harmonizes accessibility laws across EU member states. Starting June 28, 2025, all websites and digital services offered by private-sector businesses—including e-commerce platforms—must be accessible under this regulation, unless they qualify for an exemption.
Key points:
- Applies to all digital services except microenterprises (fewer than 10 employees and < €2 million turnover)
- Businesses may be temporarily exempt based on disproportionate burden, but must justify and document it
- Oversight and enforcement are carried out by consumer protection authorities such as UOKiK in Poland
Website Accessibility in Practice: What Your Web Content Needs
To conform to WCAG 2.1, website owners must address various aspects of their site’s design and content. This includes:
- Ensuring screen reader compatibility through semantic HTML
- Providing alternative content for multimedia
- Enabling zooming and text resizing
- Allowing navigation without a mouse
- Using accessibility supported technologies
Following these guidelines will also often make your web content more accessible to users on mobile devices and under poor network conditions.
Declaration of Accessibility: Legal Requirement for Websites and Applications
All covered entities must publish a declaration of accessibility (also known as an accessibility statement), a legal and public-facing document that:
- States the website's current WCAG conformance status
- Describes areas not fully accessible and why
- Offers multiple contact methods for feedback (e.g., email, phone)
- Includes the date of the latest update
- Details how accessibility issues can be reported and resolved within 30 days
The structure of the document is regulated and should align with national guidance, such as those issued by the Ministry of Digital Affairs.
Accessibility That Meets the Needs: Ongoing Maintenance and Training
Achieving conformance to WCAG is not a one-time task. Website accessibility must be maintained continuously:
- Every change in design or content should be reviewed for WCAG compliance
- Frequent accessibility checks using tools like Lighthouse, WAVE, or Axe are essential
- Regular audits should be documented
- Education resources related to WCAG and training on accessibility should be provided to staff
- Content authors must understand techniques for WCAG to create compliant digital materials
Organizations must also keep up-to-date with future versions of WCAG, including WCAG 2.2 and the upcoming WCAG 3.0.
WCAG Conformance of E-commerce Platforms: 2025 Overview
Here’s how leading e-commerce platforms stand in terms of WCAG 2.1 AA conformance:
| Platform | WCAG Conformance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shopware 6 | ❌ | Planned WCAG support in version 6.7 by end of 2025 |
| Magento 2 – Luma | ❌ | Luma theme does not meet WCAG 2.1 requirements |
| Magento 2 – Hyvä | ✅ | Conforms to WCAG 2.1 AA when implemented properly |
| Hyvä Checkout | ✅ | Built with WCAG conformance in mind |
| OroCommerce | ✅ | WCAG 2.1 AA compliant from version 5.0 LTS |
| Shopify | ⚠️ | Partially compliant; depends on theme and plugins |
To fully meet WCAG requirements, even platforms with native accessibility support may require customization and accessibility testing.
Macopedia’s Offer for Web Accessibility Compliance
At Macopedia, we provide a comprehensive range of services to help businesses conform to WCAG 2.0 and WCAG 2.1 Level AA, the international standard for web content accessibility. Our goal is to assist organizations in addressing accessibility barriers and ensuring their digital content is inclusive for all users, including people with disabilities.
Our accessibility services include:
- Accessibility Audit – We begin by evaluating the current accessibility of web sites using both manual and automated tools such as an accessibility checker. This helps us identify where the site fails to conform with WCAG, and which adjustments are needed to meet the WCAG success criteria. In cases where the platform itself is a barrier (e.g., outdated eCommerce systems), we may recommend upgrading to a system that supports the technology that are accessibility supported.
- Implementation of Technical Improvements – Our team makes all necessary updates to the structure, design, and functionality to achieve content that conforms to WCAG, ensuring that your website or application is structured in a way that is accessibility supported and meets the level AA success criteria.
- Training for Content Authors – Since authors can conform to WCAG only if they understand how to manage and format content accordingly, we offer customized training sessions. These programs help your team follow the advisory techniques in understanding WCAG and produce content that not only meets regulations but also improves user experience.
- Support in Documentation and Declarations – We assist in preparing the official accessibility statement required by accessibility regulations. This includes a clear declaration of conformance to WCAG 2.0, a list of known limitations, and ways for users to report accessibility issues.
- Ongoing Accessibility Monitoring – After implementation, we offer periodic reviews to ensure continued conformance to WCAG 2.0 or WCAG 2.1, especially following design or functional updates. Because accessibility supported can be relied upon to meet WCAG requirements, constant evaluation ensures your content stays compliant.
For websites built on platforms that are not accessibility supported or not yet ready to meet requirements for conformance to WCAG, necessary changes may be extensive—impacting design, code, and content. These cases often result in increased implementation costs and longer timelines.
That’s why we often recommend a phased approach: splitting accessibility improvements into stages allows your organization to demonstrate action, show commitment to compliance, and follow WCAG even before full conformance is achieved. This strategy can be especially valuable during audits or inspections, potentially preventing penalties.
Conclusion: Compliance with Accessibility Standards as a Strategic Asset
Ensuring your website or application also conforms to WCAG is not just a matter of regulatory compliance—it reflects your organization's commitment to inclusivity and digital responsibility. Adopting the web content accessibility guidelines 2.0 or WCAG 2.1 means your content is aligned with global best practices and provides equitable access to all users.
Following these guidelines will make your content more usable for everyone—not just people with disabilities. Whether you're preparing to meet requirements for conformance to WCAG, improve user experience, or comply with legal frameworks such as the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act or upcoming EU legislation, Macopedia can guide you at every stage.
We also monitor updates to accessibility standards, noting that WCAG 2.1 was published to enhance accessibility while it does not deprecate or supersede WCAG 2.0. Therefore, our solutions ensure that content that conforms to WCAG 2.1 also conforms to WCAG 2.0, keeping your organization compliant under both current and future regulations.
Let’s make your digital content accessible—based on the WCAG, and built to last. Contact us and schedule a free consultation with us!