The Ultimate WCAG 2.1 & 2.2 Level AA Checklist
- mcutuli
- Oct 25
- 2 min read
Web accessibility is no longer an optional “extra.” Today, it’s a legal requirement, a social responsibility, and an opportunity to connect with millions of users who would otherwise be excluded. The framework guiding this process is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
In version 2.1, now updated with 2.2, the WCAG sets out criteria so that any website can be used by people with different types of disabilities: visual, auditory, cognitive, or motor. Most legislation, including the European Accessibility Act (EAA), points to Level AA compliance as the goal—striking the perfect balance between technical feasibility and inclusive experience.
What WCAG 2.1 Level AA Compliance Requires
Meeting Level AA of the WCAG means addressing a set of criteria that cover everything from semantic structure to visual design and interaction.
Some of the most important requirements are:
All site functions must be operable using only a keyboard.
Clear and useful headings, titles, and labels.
Correctly defined language in the code, including changes within a page.
Alternative texts for meaningful images and audio descriptions for videos.
Subtitles for both recorded and live videos.
The ability to resize text up to 200% without losing content or functionality.
Clear forms, with error identification via text.
Consistency in icons, menus, and buttons.
Control over autoplay elements and time limits in interactions.
Prevention of content that could cause seizures or epileptic attacks.
Ability to enable or disable keyboard shortcuts to avoid conflicts
Adequate contrast between text and background, without relying solely on color to convey information.
Adaptive navigation for any orientation and device, ensuring responsive design.
In total, there are 25 essential criteria that make a website truly usable, understandable, and robust for everyone.
What’s New in WCAG 2.2
Version 2.2 introduces adjustments that further strengthen accessibility, especially for mobile and cognitive needs. Requirements include a more visible on-screen focus, sufficiently large touch buttons, and authentication and form processes that don’t become barriers for users with cognitive or motor limitations.
Although 2.2 is not yet mandatory in most legal frameworks, adopting it now means anticipating the future and significantly improving your visitors’ experience.
How Our Platform Helps
Manually complying with all these guidelines can be complex and expensive. This is where Our Platform, powered by AI and developed by Axessible, makes a difference. The solution automatically analyzes and adapts your website to align with WCAG 2.1 Level AA—and in many cases, the new 2.2 criteria as well. All this without changing your original design or affecting site performance. Improvements apply per session: people who need adjustments see them, while others enjoy the original version. Plus, you have access to free audits and a control panel to customize the experience and ensure your website remains continuously compliant.
Conclusion
Adopting WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 Level AA is not just about complying with the law. It’s about opening your website to the 15% of the world’s population living with some form of disability. It’s about demonstrating a commitment to inclusion, enhancing your brand’s reputation, and reducing legal risks.
With Our Platform, the path to accessibility is simpler, more affordable, and more sustainable. Making your website accessible has never been so achievable—now is the time to take the step.
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