What is Digital Accessibility?

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) defines digital accessibility as the practice of building and designing websites, tools, and technologies so people with disabilities can use them.

Most of us are familiar with accessibility features in physical spaces. Examples might include a restroom that can accommodate folks who use wheelchairs, or a curb cut in the sidewalk. We can apply these same accessibility principles to websites.

Between 15% - 25% of the population live with a disability. Many people who have disabilities use assistive technologies. Assistive technologies are tools that help folks access both physical and digital spaces.

But assistive technologies that help people navigate the web can only work if we build accessible content. To build accessible content, we need to thoughtfully choose our language, color scheme, layout, and structure.

At UC Berkeley, we are committed to creating accessible, inclusive digital content. This lets us make sure that all users have equal access to our information and resources.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are international standards that guide our work. These guidelines have gone through several versions since they were first published in 1999. Each version expands to include updated guidelines for more complex websites and mobile apps.

What makes digital content accessible?

WCAG has four guiding principles that determine how to create accessible content. These are known as the 'POUR' principles:

• Perceivable: ‘Perceivable’ means that people can perceive content through at least one of their senses. For example, people can use a screen reader to read the webpage aloud and listen to the content.
• Operable: ‘Operable’ means that people can operate all parts of a website, regardless of what tool they are using. For example, a person can navigate a website with a keyboard or dictation software.
• Understandable: ‘Understandable’ means that people are able to understand your content and how to navigate through your site. For example, a person can translate web content into their preferred language.
• Robust: 'Robust' means people using different devices and browsers can use your website. For example, a person can use your website regardless of what browser or assistive technology they are using.

Conformance Levels 

WCAG has three ‘conformance levels’. These levels build on each other, so content that meets Level AA guidelines also meets Level A guidelines.