The WCAG 2.1 AA consist of recommendations and techniques that help make content digitally accessible. The WCAG 2.1 AA is the current legal standard for the Digital Government Act.
The WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) help people with functional limitations use the Internet more easily. These WCAG guidelines are made up of:
4 principles
12 guidelines
86 success criteria
You have the WCAG, but what exactly is the WCAG 2.1 AA? To understand this properly, you need to know how the WCAG is structured.
Note! On October 5, 2023, the latest WCAG guidelines were published (WCAG 2.2 AA) You can read all about the WCAG 2.2 on this page.
“The power of the web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.”
WCAG 2.1 was released in June 2018. This is the current standard for the Dutch government.
This version of the WCAG, consists of:
4 principles
13 guidelines
78 success criteria
By applying the WCAG 2.1 guidelines, more and more accessible websites, apps and online documents are being created.
So what are these 50 success criteria? These 50 success criteria of the WCAG 2.1 AA are very specific rules on which a website, app or pdf document is audited for digital accessibility. Here are 4 examples.
| Success criterion | Description | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1.1 Non-textual content | All non-text content presented to the user has a text alternative that serves an equivalent purpose, except for the situations listed below. | A |
| 2.1.1 Keyboard | All content functionality is operable through a keyboard interface without individual keystrokes being time-bound, except when the underlying function requires input that depends on the path the user travels and not just the endpoints. | A |
| 3.1.2 Language of components | The human language of any passage or phrase in the content can be determined by software, except for proper names, technical terms, words of indeterminate language, and words or phrases that have become part of the jargon of the immediately surrounding text. | AA |
| 4.1.3 Status messages | In content implemented with markup languages, status messages can be defined by software using role (role) or properties (properties), allowing assistive technologies to present the messages to the user without giving them focus. | AA |
Want to get started with the success criteria of WCAG 2.1 AA yourself? Then download our WCAG checklist and read the 6 newest criteria of the WCAG 2.2 AA right away.
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The WCAG 2.1 AA is the standard for the Digital Government Act. These are defined in the European Standard (EN) 301 549. For the government, digital accessibility is mandatory. So you have to meet the 50 success criteria of the WCAG 2.1 AA. The 28 success criteria at level AAA are only applied in specific situations. So this is not legally required.
As of Sept. 23, 2020, all government and quasi-government websites must comply with WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines. And apps must comply as of June 23, 2021. This applies to the national government, but also to municipalities, provinces and water boards.
For many governments, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are still a challenge. The WCAG 2.1 AA is not yet part of the whole organization. This often starts with awareness, but also with training colleagues. Not only the communications team needs to know what to look for. This also applies to managers and other policy makers. It is also important to have an overview of the accessibility of all digital assets: websites, apps, documents and video. We'll help you do just that!
Government organizations tell in the accessibility statement how accessible they already are and what they are doing to improve the accessibility of their websites or apps. A WCAG survey is required as “proof” for this purpose. Think of the Accessibility Statement as a kind of plan of attack: eventually, the website or app must fully meet the 50 success criteria.
Starting in 2025, many businesses must also take the WCAG into account. In fact, digital accessibility will become a legal requirement for businesses and non-governments as well. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) should ensure that even more consumers can use accessible products and services.
Since Oct. 5, 2023, the latest WCAG guidelines have been published. The WCAG 2.2. Most likely by 2025, this will become the standard.
The WCAG guidelines therefore become important for such things as:
Web shops
Transport services
Banking
E-books
Is your website or webshop not yet fully accessible? Then start making a plan now. That way, you'll be fully ready to reach even more people by 2025. We also have interesting training courses for companies, practical studies and we advise them on how to apply WCAG in their organization.
A digitally accessible website has enormous benefits. You end up helping 25% of the Dutch population improve their user experience.
Everyone can make good use of it.
Content is more clear and logical.
Better findability, including on Google.
Higher customer satisfaction.
Works on all devices.
You'r reaching more people.
Want to know if your website or app is already WCAG 2.1 AA compliant? Then request a WCAG survey to have your website or app examined for the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. As WCAG experts, we would like to see how digitally accessible you already are and where there are still gains to be made.
Complete audit according to WCAG-EM, based on WCAG 2.2, level AA.
Do you want to develop your platform digitally accessible? Then opt for a technology study.
Ideal if a full WCAG audit is not needed. We figure this out together.
Get a first impression of your website’s digital accessibility.
Audit your app and get an accessibility declaration report.
Check how accessibly your PDF documents are formatted
Perfect for after a major update or new functionality on your website, app or PDF document.
Can't choose? We are happy to help you get started on making the right choice.
Contact us
Complete audit according to WCAG-EM, based on WCAG 2.2, level AA.
Do you want to develop your platform digitally accessible? Then opt for a technology study.
Ideal if a full WCAG audit is not needed. We figure this out together.
Get a first impression of your website’s digital accessibility.
Audit your app and get an accessibility declaration report.
Check how accessibly your PDF documents are formatted
Perfect for after a major update or new functionality on your website, app or PDF document.
Can't choose? We are happy to help you get started on making the right choice.
Contact us
Complete audit according to WCAG-EM, based on WCAG 2.2, level AA.
Do you want to develop your platform digitally accessible? Then opt for a technology study.
Ideal if a full WCAG audit is not needed. We figure this out together.
Get a first impression of your website’s digital accessibility.
Audit your app and get an accessibility declaration report.
Check how accessibly your PDF documents are formatted
Perfect for after a major update or new functionality on your website, app or PDF document.
Can't choose? We are happy to help you get started on making the right choice.
Contact us
Complete audit according to WCAG-EM, based on WCAG 2.2, level AA.
Do you want to develop your platform digitally accessible? Then opt for a technology study.
Ideal if a full WCAG audit is not needed. We figure this out together.
Get a first impression of your website’s digital accessibility.
Audit your app and get an accessibility declaration report.
Check how accessibly your PDF documents are formatted
Perfect for after a major update or new functionality on your website, app or PDF document.
Can't choose? We are happy to help you get started on making the right choice.
Contact us
Complete audit according to WCAG-EM, based on WCAG 2.2, level AA.
Do you want to develop your platform digitally accessible? Then opt for a technology study.
Ideal if a full WCAG audit is not needed. We figure this out together.
Get a first impression of your website’s digital accessibility.
Audit your app and get an accessibility declaration report.
Check how accessibly your PDF documents are formatted
Perfect for after a major update or new functionality on your website, app or PDF document.
Can't choose? We are happy to help you get started on making the right choice.
Contact us
Complete audit according to WCAG-EM, based on WCAG 2.2, level AA.
Do you want to develop your platform digitally accessible? Then opt for a technology study.
Ideal if a full WCAG audit is not needed. We figure this out together.
Get a first impression of your website’s digital accessibility.
Audit your app and get an accessibility declaration report.
Check how accessibly your PDF documents are formatted
Perfect for after a major update or new functionality on your website, app or PDF document.
Can't choose? We are happy to help you get started on making the right choice.
Contact us
WCAG 2.2 is final. Read all about the latest guidelines here
WCAG 2.2 is expected in September. How does it differ from version 2.1?
Starting with WCAG 2.2, we will examine websites, apps and documents for 58 success criteria. This is what you need to look out for...
To what extent have our WCAG surveys been reliable for the Access Denied project?
Word jij net als Carolina razend enthousiast van de WCAG 2.1 AA? Of zit je juist met je handen in het haar? Neem contact met ons op en we helpen je graag verder op weg.
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