Reference

WCAG 2.2 success criteria, explained

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2 have 55 success criteria at levels A and AA (plus 4.1.1, which 2.2 removed). Each one here gets a plain-English page: what it asks for, who it is for, an example, how to check it, and an honest note on whether a scanner can see it.

32level A

24level AA

6new in 2.2

21have automated checks

1. Perceivable

2. Operable

Guideline 2.1: Keyboard Accessible

2.1.1 KeyboardEverything must work with a keyboard alone A 3 2.1.2 No Keyboard TrapKeyboard focus must never get stuck Aperson 2.1.4 Character Key ShortcutsSingle-key shortcuts must be switchable off or remappable Aperson

Guideline 2.2: Enough Time

2.2.1 Timing AdjustableTime limits must be adjustable, extendable or avoidable A 1 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, HideMoving, blinking or auto-updating content must be pausable A 2

Guideline 2.3: Seizures and Physical Reactions

2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below ThresholdNothing may flash more than three times a second Aperson

Guideline 2.4: Navigable

2.4.1 Bypass BlocksPeople must be able to skip past repeated content A 1 2.4.2 Page TitledEvery page needs a title that says what it is A 1 2.4.3 Focus OrderKeyboard focus must move in an order that makes sense Aperson 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context)Link text must say where the link goes A 2 2.4.5 Multiple WaysGive people more than one way to find a page AAperson 2.4.6 Headings and LabelsHeadings and labels must say what they are for AAperson 2.4.7 Focus VisibleYou must be able to see which element has keyboard focus AAperson 2.4.11 Focus Not Obscured (Minimum)The focused element must not be fully hidden behind sticky content AA2.2person

Guideline 2.5: Input Modalities

2.5.1 Pointer GesturesPinch, swipe and multi-finger gestures need a simple alternative Aperson 2.5.2 Pointer CancellationClicks and taps must be cancellable before they complete Aperson 2.5.3 Label in NameA control's accessible name must include its visible text A 1 2.5.4 Motion ActuationShake and tilt controls need a normal alternative and an off switch Aperson 2.5.7 Dragging MovementsAnything done by dragging must also work with simple clicks or taps AA2.2person 2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum)Buttons and links need to be at least 24 by 24 pixels, or spaced apart AA2.2 1

3. Understandable

Guideline 3.1: Readable

3.1.1 Language of PageTell the browser which language the page is written in A 3 3.1.2 Language of PartsMark up passages that switch to another language AA 1

Guideline 3.2: Predictable

3.2.1 On FocusSimply moving to a control must not change anything Aperson 3.2.2 On InputChanging a setting must not surprise anyone with a new page Aperson 3.2.3 Consistent NavigationKeep repeated menus in the same order on every page AAperson 3.2.4 Consistent IdentificationCall the same thing by the same name everywhere AAperson 3.2.6 Consistent HelpPut help in the same place on every page that has it A2.2person

Guideline 3.3: Input Assistance

3.3.1 Error IdentificationSay which field is wrong, in words Aperson 3.3.2 Labels or InstructionsEvery field needs a label, and tricky ones need instructions A 1 3.3.3 Error SuggestionWhen you know how to fix the error, say so AAperson 3.3.4 Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data)Let people check, undo or confirm anything that commits them AAperson 3.3.7 Redundant EntryDo not ask for the same information twice in one process A2.2person 3.3.8 Accessible Authentication (Minimum)Signing in must not depend on remembering or solving a puzzle AA2.2person

4. Robust

Guideline 4.1: Compatible

4.1.1 ParsingRemoved in WCAG 2.2: it always passes now Aperson 4.1.2 Name, Role, ValueCustom controls must tell assistive technology what they are A 28 4.1.3 Status MessagesAnnounce updates that do not take focus AAperson

Key: a tick with a number means Websight has that many automated checks for the criterion; "person" means only a person can check it. Numbers and names are from the W3C WCAG 2.2 Recommendation; the explanations are ours.

Level A

32 criteria, the baseline.

Level AA

24 criteria, the usual legal and contract target.

New in 2.2

The 6 criteria added since 2.1, and the one removed.

Which laws point at WCAG?

UK, EU, US and Canada, plainly and with the right hedges.

Manual checklist

25 printable checks a scanner cannot do.

See which criteria your page trips

Websight scans any page in Chrome against the automated checks, scores it, and lists the manual checks still to do.

Add Websight to Chrome

Free scans, no account, nothing leaves your computer. Automated tools find only part of the problems; the extension says so on every report.