Why I Feel (Mostly) Encouraged About WCAG 3.0

Published October 17, 2022

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the primary standards for guiding and testing digital accessibility. The most current version, WCAG 2.1, was published in 2018, and the First Published Working Draft for the next version, WCAG 3.0, came out on January 31, 2021. 

Expected to be completed in a few years, the new guidelines will bring a number of changes to these widely-used standards and—though nothing can ever be perfect—the goals of WCAG 3.0, the current draft, and the approach to developing the new guidelines do look encouraging overall.

Goals of WCAG 3.0

The next version of WCAG, the W3C Accessibility Guidelines 3.0, aims to improve digital accessibility and make conformance easier.

One of the primary challenges people encounter with WCAG 2.1 is that the language can be difficult to understand, especially for those who don’t have a technical background. Version 3.0 aims to use plainer language, an improved format, and ample resources and examples so that more people will be able to understand what the guidelines mean and how to follow them.

Along with simplifying the guidelines, the next version will be more flexible and applicable to various digital products, easier to adopt for more content creators and encourage ongoing improvements in accessibility.

WCAG 3.0 will also consider the impact digital accessibility barriers have based on real-life experiences and address the needs of a wider range of users.

These goals are encouraging because they better recognize the diversity of users with disabilities and the barriers they may face in an ever-changing digital landscape while also addressing the challenges faced by content creators. 

There’s no set standard regarding what tools, resources, or technical skills content creators may have, so making conformance more approachable has a better chance of improving accessibility than a more rigid set of guidelines.

Additional changes in WCAG 3.0

In addition to new requirements, WCAG 3.0 will include most of the requirements from WCAG 2.1 and consolidate some from the Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines (ATAG) and User Agent Accessibility Guidelines (UTAG). This will provide a consolidated, consistently formatted, and more robust informational resource, which significantly improves user experience.

State of the current draft

At the time of writing, the most recent version of the Working Draft is December 7, 2021. It provides good insight into what to expect from WCAG 3.0, a look at the development process, and examples of the type of feedback the working group has requested during said process. 

The developers are making refinements that will appear in future drafts based on the development timeline. The working group is discussing several issues with the current draft. The draft may have some shortcomings, but it can be a foundation for building an even more robust resource once identified.

Keeping these conversations and communication among the Working Group itself public illustrates the transparency of the process overall, which is critical in creating a set of guidelines that can be used and trusted globally.

Final thoughts

It’s important to recognize that WCAG 3.0 will serve as a successor to the current version, not a replacement. Content creators and developers conforming to WCAG 2.1 standards will still be compliant. 

On the one hand, this could be crucial for some content creators who may need time to make necessary changes under the new guidelines. Still, it may also discourage some from making the updated changes promptly. Hopefully, the recognition that changes in technology will eventually surpass the usefulness of the 2.1 standards and having years to prepare for the change will encourage most to shift to following the 3.0 standards once finalized.

Overall, the current draft isn’t perfect, nor do I expect the final version to be. Still, the W3C is working toward the right goals. The open, iterative development process will ultimately lead to a better set of standards for digital accessibility over the next few years.

 

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