How UX Makes Your Digital Product WCAG-Compliant

What is WCAG 2.2?

WCAG 2.2 stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2. These guidelines aim to make websites and digital content more accessible for people with various disabilities, such as color blindness, physical limitations, or dyslexia. These can be permanent or temporary.

The guidelines are divided into four categories:

• Perceivable

• Operable

• Understandable

• Robust

It is not only an ethical obligation but also a way to grow your business, enhance your image, and remain legally compliant.

Why should I comply?

Many UX designers have been working according to these guidelines for years. However, due to an aging population, digital support is becoming increasingly important and even mandatory. Here are some more reasons why WCAG is important for your company:

• It's simply the law
  Many countries, including the US and various European countries, legally require that digital content is accessible to people with disabilities. Don't comply? Then you risk fines or legal issues.

• Broader reach
  By complying with WCAG 2.2, you expand your audience. People with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities also want to use your site to find information, purchase products, or access services. Make your site accessible, and you expand your customer base.

• Strong image
  Companies that take accessibility seriously demonstrate that they are socially engaged and empathetic. This creates a positive image and appeals to customers who value inclusivity.

• Competitive advantage
  An accessible site puts you ahead of competitors who haven't addressed it. Especially in the (semi) public sector, this can make all the difference.

• Future-proof
  By already complying with standards now, you are prepared for the future. The demand for accessible digital content will only increase.

"About 1 in 5 people in Europe experience barriers in digital interaction."

How does UX help you with this?

UX and digital product design are essential to making your digital product WCAG 2.2-compliant:

• Accessibility from the start
  UX designers can integrate accessibility directly into the design, preventing costly adjustments later.

• User-centered
  Good UX is about understanding the user. By researching the needs of people with disabilities, you can make better decisions and designs that truly work for everyone.

• Clear navigation and structure
  UX design ensures logical navigation and clear hierarchy, so everyone quickly finds what they're looking for – even with a screen reader or keyboard navigation.

• Typography and readability
  Accessible fonts, appropriate font sizes, and sufficient color contrast make content more readable, even for people with visual impairments.

• Interactive design
  Buttons, forms, and menus must work well with keyboard or screen readers. UX designers ensure these interactions are smooth and logical.

• Testing and improving
  UX is about testing and refining. By involving people with disabilities in user tests, you quickly discover what can be improved.

• Responsive design
  Accessible content works on any device. UX designers ensure your product adapts to screen size and input methods.

• Smart use of ARIA
  UX and product designers can use ARIA in collaboration with developers to make complex interfaces more accessible.

Need help?

Curious how UX can make your custom software WCAG 2.2-proof and future-proof? We're happy to think along with you.