What is the Web Content Accessibility Guide (WCAG)?

Ryan Warrender
2 min readJul 1, 2021

Everyone should be able to access and enjoy the web.

Web Content Accessibility Guide — lines (WCAG) 2.0 is a set of best practices put together by experts to address exactly what “accessibility” means, and how to deliver it. WCAG is organized around four principles, often referred to as POUR:

• Perceivable: Can users perceive the content? Just because something is perceivable with one sense, such as sight, that doesn’t mean that all users can experience it.

• Operable: Can users navigate the content? A hover interaction, for instance, cannot be operated by someone who can’t use a mouse or touch screen.

• Understandable: Can users understand the content? Is the interface clear, and consistent enough to avoid confusion?

  • Robust: Can the content be consumed by a wide variety of user agents (browsers)? Does it work with assistive technology?

All websites should strive to adhere to accessibility standards. Get started today and audit your website today.

Recommended Book: Web Accessibility: Web Standards and Regulatory Compliance

Bonus tips are presented my the Design Huddle Podcast — hosted by Mustafa Kurtuldu and myself. If you like UX or design, please subscribe.

➡️ Subscribe to the podcast: https://anchor.fm/designhuddle
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Hosted by Ryan Warrender and Mustafa Kurtuldu:
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➡️ Mustafa’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mustafa.ux/

Ryan and Mustafa work for Google. The opinions expressed are solely our own and do not express the views or opinions of our employer.

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Ryan Warrender

Product Manager at Google. DIYer, Podcaster, and fan of tacos.