{"id":5828,"date":"2025-01-17T08:43:18","date_gmt":"2025-01-17T08:43:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/avacysolution.com\/?p=5828"},"modified":"2025-03-04T17:13:54","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T17:13:54","slug":"guida-wcag-come-rendere-sito-web-accessibile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/avacysolution.com\/en\/blog\/guide\/guide-wcag-how-to-make-website-accessible\/","title":{"rendered":"Complete guide to WCAG: how to make your website accessible to everyone"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"translation-block\">Creating an <strong>accessible website<\/strong> is not just an <strong>ethical choice or an inclusive gesture<\/strong>: it's a winning strategy to reach a broader audience and climb search engine rankings. Yes, you heard that right: accessibility is good not only for people but also for your <strong>SEO<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">The <strong>WCAG<\/strong> (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) are the global rules of the game: guidelines designed to make the web a welcoming place for everyone, including those with disabilities. By following them, you not only open up to new users, but also create a site that appeals to Google crawlers. Who wins? Everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about <strong>WCAG<\/strong> in simple language with <strong>practical advice<\/strong>. You'll discover the basic principles, compliance levels, and <strong>tools to help you succeed<\/strong>. Because yes, a more inclusive web is also a smarter web (and SEO-friendly)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the WCAG?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">The <strong>WCAG<\/strong> are the instruction manual for a web that suits everyone, developed by the <strong>W3C<\/strong> (World Wide Web Consortium). Essentially, these guidelines are designed to make web content accessible even to people with <strong>visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why are the WCAG important for your website?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">Following the WCAG is not only a <strong>good practice<\/strong> but is often <strong>required by law<\/strong>, especially in <strong>public and commercial sectors<\/strong>. Additionally, accessible websites:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><strong>Improve user experience<\/strong>: an inclusive design is <strong>more intuitive<\/strong> for everyone.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><strong>Increase traffic<\/strong>: reach a <strong>wider audience<\/strong>, including users with disabilities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><strong>Optimize SEO<\/strong>: search engines reward accessible sites.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><strong>Reduce legal risks<\/strong>: in some countries, non-compliance with WCAG may result in <strong>fines or legal actions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WCAG Guidelines Versions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">The WCAG guidelines have been <strong>updated multiple times<\/strong> to <strong>adapt<\/strong> to <strong>technological advancements<\/strong> and <strong>user needs<\/strong>. Here's an overview of the main versions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WCAG 1.0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">The <strong>first version<\/strong>, <strong>WCAG 1.0<\/strong>, dates back to <strong>1999<\/strong> and was developed by W3C as a foundation for defining <strong>accessibility standards<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">This version included <strong>14 guidelines<\/strong> organized into <strong>three priority levels<\/strong> (1, 2, and 3) and reflected the technologies of the time, such as <strong>HTML 4<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">However, it had some <strong>limitations<\/strong> as it did not adequately consider emerging technologies like advanced CSS and complex multimedia content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WCAG 2.0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">In <strong>2008<\/strong>, <strong>WCAG 2.0<\/strong> was introduced, a completely revised version that brought <strong>significant innovations<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">The <strong><a href=\"#principi\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#principi\" target=\"_self\">four fundamental accessibility principles<\/a><\/strong>, which remain central in later versions, were introduced. This version provided greater <strong>flexibility<\/strong>, being <strong>technology-independent<\/strong>, and presented a <strong>compliance system<\/strong> divided into <strong>three levels<\/strong>: A, AA, and AAA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">Its structure and longevity have made it a <strong>widely adopted standard<\/strong> for over a decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WCAG 2.1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">In <strong>2018<\/strong>, <strong>WCAG 2.1<\/strong> was <strong>published<\/strong>, expanding the <strong>accessibility requirements<\/strong> with <strong>17 new success criteria<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">This update <strong>enhanced accessibility<\/strong> for people with visual, motor, and cognitive disabilities, also addressing the <strong>needs of mobile devices<\/strong>, which have become central to web access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">Notable improvements include enhanced <strong>visual contrast<\/strong>, compatibility with <strong>touchscreens<\/strong>, and a <strong>more intuitive interface<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WCAG 2.2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><strong>WCAG 2.2<\/strong>, published in 2023, introduced further improvements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">This version adds <strong>nine additional criteria<\/strong> to the existing guidelines in the <strong>A, AA, and AAA levels<\/strong>, such as improved <strong>focus visibility<\/strong> on selected elements, minimum sizes for <strong>interactive buttons<\/strong>, and better tools for preventing <strong>form errors<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">WCAG 2.2 aims to <strong>perfect digital accessibility<\/strong>, ensuring more effective support for modern <strong>technologies and devices<\/strong> and promoting greater inclusivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WCAG 3.0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><strong>WCAG 3.0<\/strong> is currently under development and represents a <strong>completely new vision of web accessibility<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">This future standard will be based on a <strong>more flexible evaluation system<\/strong>, focusing on the <strong>user experience<\/strong> rather than rigid compliance levels. It is designed to <strong>support emerging technologies<\/strong> such as <strong>artificial intelligence<\/strong>, <strong>augmented reality<\/strong>, and the <strong>Internet of Things<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">Although the <strong>release date<\/strong> is <strong>not yet<\/strong> officially <strong>confirmed<\/strong>, preliminary drafts indicate a significant shift from the WCAG 2.x series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"principi\">Fundamental principles of WCAG<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">The WCAG are based on four fundamental principles, known by the acronym <strong>POUR<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><strong>Perceivable<\/strong>: content must be presented in ways that users can perceive, such as using <strong>alt text for images<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><strong>Operable<\/strong>: the interface must be <strong>navigable and usable without barriers<\/strong> for everyone, such as including functionality for keyboard or assistive devices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><strong>Understandable<\/strong>: content must be <strong>easy to read<\/strong> and understand, with a <strong>clear and predictable language<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><strong>Robust<\/strong>: content must be compatible with various technologies and devices, including <strong>assistive technologies<\/strong> like screen readers, braille displays, or alternative keyboards.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">Each principle is detailed in <strong>specific guidelines and success criteria<\/strong>, offering <strong>detailed guidance<\/strong> on how to ensure accessibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WCAG compliance levels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">The WCAG defines <strong>three compliance levels<\/strong>, representing the degree of accessibility achieved by a site:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Compliance level A<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">The Level A compliance criteria are <strong>essential<\/strong> for removing the <strong>primary accessibility barriers<\/strong>. While this is the <strong>minimum level<\/strong>, implementing these criteria is a <strong>crucial step<\/strong> towards making the <strong>web more inclusive<\/strong> and ensuring a <strong>basic accessible experience<\/strong> for all users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">For example, these criteria require every <strong>image<\/strong> to have a <strong>descriptive alt text<\/strong> and that <strong>all functionalities<\/strong> be <strong>accessible<\/strong> <strong>via keyboard<\/strong> without needing a mouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Compliance level AA<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">The <strong>AA compliance level<\/strong> addresses practical issues that significantly enhance user experience, making the <strong>web more inclusive<\/strong>. By meeting these criteria, you not only comply with regulations but also ensure <strong>fairer access to content<\/strong> for all users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">For this level, the criteria require, for example, a <strong>minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1<\/strong> between <strong>text and background<\/strong> for readability and <strong>descriptive headings<\/strong> that clarify the purpose of the content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Compliance level AAA<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">The AAA compliance level represents the <strong>highest standard of web accessibility<\/strong>. This level includes criteria that aim to meet the <strong>needs of a broader audience<\/strong>, including people with severe disabilities or specific needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">However, many of the AAA-level guidelines are <strong>difficult to apply<\/strong> to all web content, making this level more <strong>suitable for specific sites<\/strong> (such as educational or government sites) or <strong>particular sections<\/strong> of a site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">AAA compliance criteria include an <strong>advanced contrast ratio of at least 7:1<\/strong> between text and background, the <strong>provision of subtitles<\/strong> for all <strong>live audio content<\/strong>, and explanations for abbreviations to improve content understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<button><a href=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/Translations\/WCAG22-it\/\">Read all the guidelines<\/a><\/button>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why adhere to the WCAG guidelines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">Why should <strong>businesses<\/strong>, <strong>designers<\/strong>, <strong>webmasters<\/strong>, and <strong>professionals<\/strong> address the issue of accessibility? Adhering to the WCAG guidelines is essential for various reasons, ranging from inclusivity to business efficiency, offering <strong>benefits<\/strong> for both users and website owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">The <strong>topic of web accessibility<\/strong> was first addressed in <strong>Italy<\/strong> with <strong>Law 9\/2004 no. 4<\/strong>, also known as the <strong>Stanca Law<\/strong>, and since then, the regulatory framework has been continuously updated, following the <strong>evolution of WCAG guidelines<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">Although often considered a <strong>challenging burden<\/strong> or even an <strong>obstacle<\/strong>, the WCAG recommendations offer a unique opportunity to <strong>improve<\/strong> and <strong>grow<\/strong> the activities of those operating in the digital world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">The primary goal of these guidelines is to <strong>promote inclusion<\/strong>, making <strong>online products and services accessible to everyone<\/strong>, without exclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">Complying with the WCAG criteria does not simply mean <strong>fulfilling a duty<\/strong> to all citizens (including those with disabilities, vision or hearing impairments, the elderly, people with limited IT skills, or those using outdated devices). It also represents a significant opportunity to <strong>strengthen your web presence<\/strong>, making it <strong>more competitive<\/strong> and <strong>profitable<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">While aligning with WCAG requirements involves <strong>investment<\/strong> and <strong>adaptation time<\/strong>, it is equally undeniable that the <strong>benefits are tangible and significant<\/strong>. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><strong>Promoting inclusion<\/strong>, enabling everyone to participate and interact with the web without barriers;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><strong>Expanding market reach<\/strong>: if your company's online communication is not accessible, you risk excluding millions of people (over 80 million in Europe and more than 3 million in Italy);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><strong>Encouraging innovation <\/strong><\/strong>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><strong>Strengthening<\/strong> the <strong>corporate image<\/strong>, demonstrating a commitment to diversity and inclusion;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><strong>Compliance with regulations<\/strong>: in many countries, adhering to WCAG is a <strong>legal obligation<\/strong> for public entities and private companies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"translation-block\">Moreover, accessibility is a <strong>long-term investment<\/strong>. WCAG guidelines help you prepare for <strong>technological and regulatory evolution<\/strong>, ensuring that your site remains up-to-date and compliant in the future.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">In conclusion, adhering to WCAG is not just an <strong>ethical choice<\/strong> but a <strong>winning strategy<\/strong>. It promotes inclusion, fosters innovation, reduces risks, and provides tangible advantages, making your site a <strong>benchmark of digital excellence<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tools to evaluate website accessibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To ensure your site meets WCAG standards, several useful tools are available:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wave.webaim.org\/\">WAVE<\/a> (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool): analyzes your site's accessibility and provides improvement suggestions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><strong>Lighthouse<\/strong>: integrated into Chrome DevTools, this tool also evaluates accessibility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><a href=\"https:\/\/colourcontrast.cc\/\">Color Contrast Checker<\/a>: checks color contrast to ensure compliance with standards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><strong>NVDA<\/strong> (NonVisual Desktop Access): simulates the experience of a visually impaired user, helping you identify necessary improvements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">In 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/avacysolution.com\/en\/\">Avacy CMP<\/a> will integrate an <strong>advanced scanning tool<\/strong> into its platform, capable of analyzing your website's <strong>compliance with accessibility regulations<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interested in this feature? <a href=\"#contattaci\">Contact us<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to implement WCAG in your site: best practices for an accessible website<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Implementing WCAG may seem complex, but by following a step-by-step approach, you can achieve significant results. Here are some practical actions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Use adequate color contrast<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">Ensure that <strong>text is readable<\/strong> by using <strong>sufficient contrast<\/strong> between the text color and background. You can use online tools to verify contrast and ensure <strong>optimal visibility<\/strong> even for people with visual difficulties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Provide alternative texts for images<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">Every image should have an <strong>alternative text<\/strong> (<strong>alt text<\/strong>) that briefly describes its content. This is essential for users who rely on <strong>screen readers<\/strong> and also improves site comprehension for search engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Make navigation intuitive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">Use <strong>clear and well-structured menus<\/strong>. Avoid relying solely on colors or visual elements to indicate interactivity. Include <strong>breadcrumbs<\/strong> and <strong>navigation indicators<\/strong> to help users orient themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Provide subtitles and transcripts for multimedia content<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><strong>Videos and audio<\/strong> should be accompanied by <strong>subtitles<\/strong> or <strong>transcripts<\/strong> to ensure accessibility. This is especially useful for people with <strong>hearing impairments<\/strong> or those accessing content in <strong>noisy environments<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Hierarchical titles and headings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">Use <strong>H1, H2, H3 tags<\/strong> logically to <strong>structure content<\/strong> and <strong>facilitate reading<\/strong>. A clear hierarchy not only improves accessibility but also boosts SEO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Responsive design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">Optimize your site for <strong>all devices<\/strong>, ensuring <strong>optimal usability<\/strong> on smartphones, tablets, and various screen sizes. Ensure that <strong>content<\/strong> is <strong>scalable<\/strong> and <strong>easily navigable<\/strong>, even on smartphones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common errors to avoid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"translation-block\">Ignoring <strong>color contrast<\/strong>: one of the most frequently reported issues.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"translation-block\">Lack of <strong>alternative texts<\/strong>: images without alt descriptions are unusable for screen reader users.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><strong>Generic links<\/strong>: avoid text like \"Click here\" and instead use specific descriptions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><strong>Non-scalable text<\/strong>: ensure text can be enlarged without losing readability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><strong>Ignoring the keyboard<\/strong>: many users navigate without a mouse; ensure the site is fully usable with a keyboard.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"translation-block\">Implementing <strong>WCAG<\/strong> on your website is a fundamental step to ensure <strong>inclusivity<\/strong> and enhance your <strong>online presence<\/strong>. While it may initially seem challenging, the <strong>long-term benefits<\/strong> far outweigh the efforts. Start with <strong>small changes<\/strong> and leverage the available tools to ease the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember: an accessible web is a better web for everyone!<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Creare un sito web accessibile non \u00e8 solo una scelta etica o un gesto inclusivo: \u00e8 un asso nella manica per conquistare un pubblico pi\u00f9 vasto e scalare le vette dei motori di ricerca. S\u00ec, hai capito bene: l&#8217;accessibilit\u00e0 non solo fa bene alle persone, ma anche alla tua SEO! Le WCAG (Web Content Accessibility&#8230;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":5830,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[29],"class_list":["post-5828","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guide","tag-accessibilita"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/avacysolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5828","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/avacysolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/avacysolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/avacysolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/avacysolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5828"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/avacysolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5828\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5873,"href":"https:\/\/avacysolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5828\/revisions\/5873"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/avacysolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5830"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/avacysolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5828"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/avacysolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5828"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/avacysolution.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5828"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}