WCAG 2.1 vs WCAG 2.2
If you follow the news around digital accessibility a bit, you've probably already read that a newst version of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) has been published since 5 October 2023: WCAG 2.2. So how does it differ from the current requirements and what do you need to consider? We explain this in a comparison between WCAG 2.1 vs WCAG 2.2.
A comparison: WCAG 2.1 versus WCAG 2.2
It is important to note that WCAG 2.2 complements the existing requirements in WCAG 2.1. So everything that applies now will still apply if WCAG 2.2 is the recommended standard for digital accessibility. The new version introduces nine new success criteria, divided between the three existing levels A, AA and AAA.
In WCAG 2.1, the main focus was on requirements for mobile internet and apps. In addition, that version also introduced requirements aimed at accessibility for even more user groups than in WCAG 2.0.
In WCAG 2.2, more attention is now paid to people with cognitive disabilities, people with impaired vision and people with learning disabilities. So the new success criteria are mainly aimed at making web content more accessible to these people with disabilities. A few new requirements for use on mobile devices have also been included here.
One change to the WCAG success criteria
In addition to adding nine success criteria, one more change has been made to WCAG 2.1 vs 2.2: success criterion 2.4.7 "Focus visible" changes from level AA to level A. This has been done to indicate that it is important for a very large group of people to see where the focus indicator is located.
Because in practice both level A and level AA are actually always tested, this does not directly affect the outcome of a test. However, you can use this change in your priority list and prioritise this success criterion over other success criteria that relate to a smaller target group.
The new success criteria in WCAG 2.2
In the article WCAG 2.2: everything you need to know about the new web guidelines, we have already described what the new success criteria in WCAG 2.2 vs WCAG 2.1 at levels A and AA mean. Since level AAA is basically never tested, the new success criterion at that level has been omitted.
When will WCAG 2.2 be published?
WCAG 2.2 was published on 5 October 2023.
We had to wait a long time for this new version. This delay is partly due to all the feedback that has been provided during development. The W3C - which is responsible for this standard - carefully evaluates this feedback and wants to implement improvements correctly. After all, once the standard is published, it cannot simply be changed again.
When will WCAG 2.2 become the legal standard?
After WCAG 2.2 is officially published, it must then still be incorporated into the European standard EN 301 549. Only when that is done will WCAG 2.2 also be the legal standard definitive on which websites and apps are assessed. How long this will take is currently unclear.
Find out more about WCAG 2.1 vs 2.2
We are closely monitoring developments around WCAG 2.2 and we are ready to examine websites and apps against these new success criteria. The moment this version becomes the legal standard, we can therefore also immediately examine your website or app on this search.
Furthermore, we are fine-tuning our WCAG 2.2 training so that you can join us later this year.
Want to know what WCAG 2.2 means for you? Then use our unique checklist and go through your website(s) and/or app(s).