Digital accessibility might seem overwhelming at first, but understanding the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is the first step toward creating inclusive digital experiences for all students, parents, and staff.
What is WCAG?
WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. These guidelines are developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and provide a single shared standard for web content accessibility that meets the needs of individuals, organizations, and governments internationally.
The Four Principles of WCAG
WCAG is organized around four main principles, often remembered by the acronym POUR:
1. Perceivable
Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive. This means:
- Providing text alternatives for non-text content
- Creating content that can be presented in different ways
- Making it easier for users to see and hear content
2. Operable
User interface components and navigation must be operable. Users must be able to:
- Access all functionality from a keyboard
- Have enough time to read and use content
- Navigate and find content easily
3. Understandable
Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable:
- Text must be readable and understandable
- Web pages must appear and operate in predictable ways
- Users should receive help avoiding and correcting mistakes
4. Robust
Content must be robust enough to be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.
Getting Started: Quick Wins
Here are some immediate actions you can take to improve accessibility:
- Add alt text to images - Every image on your website should have descriptive alternative text
- Use proper heading structure - Organize content with H1, H2, H3 tags in logical order
- Ensure sufficient color contrast - Text should have at least a 4.5:1 contrast ratio with its background
- Make links descriptive - Avoid "click here" links; instead describe where the link goes
- Caption videos - All video content should have accurate captions
How ClearLinks Can Help
At ClearLinks, we automate the process of identifying and fixing accessibility issues across your district's digital content. Our AI-powered tools scan your websites and documents, providing actionable insights and automated remediation.
"Accessibility isn't just about compliance—it's about ensuring every student has equal access to education."
Ready to get started? Contact us to learn how we can help your district achieve and maintain WCAG compliance.