W3C have recently published a draft of a new set of accessibility guidelines called Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, which once fully rolled out, public sector organisations are required to follow. At Mixd, we specialise in the public sector and build on our extensive service design, usability and accessibility expertise. Mixd is committed to making public services accessible and as a result of this, all of our projects currently meet level AA conformance with WCAG 2.1 as a minimum requirement.
What is WCAG 2.2?
WCAG 2.2 builds on the previous version of the standard, WCAG 2.1, by further improving accessibility guidance for users with cognitive or learning disabilities, users with low vision, and users with disabilities on mobile devices. WCAG 2.2 will add 9 new requirements to what is already in WCAG 2.1 and 2.0. The new set of requirements will also still use the same A/AA/AAA conformance levels as before. Although WCAG 2.2 is being talked about, it is still being reviewed and edited. This means that the requirements in discussion are not yet guaranteed to make the final cut. The estimated time for the WCAG 2.2 roll out is early 2023, with the proposed new requirements;
- 2.4.11 Focus Appearance (Level AA)
- 2.4.12 Focus Not Obscured (Minimum) (Level AA)
- 2.4.13 Focus Not Obscured (Enhanced) (Level AAA)
- 2.5.7 Dragging Movements (Level AA)
- 2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum) (Level AA)
- 3.2.6 Consistent Help (Level A)
- 3.3.7 Accessible Authentication (Level AA)
- 3.3.8 Accessible Authentication (no exception) (Level AAA)
- 3.3.9 Redundant Entry (Level A)
So what will we do to implement these changes?
Accessibility plays a vital role in all aspects of a project at Mixd. So learning and becoming familiar with the new criteria is essential, and although these new guidelines can still change, we agree that by being proactive, we are making sure the accessibility of our sites remains a top priority.
As a digital agency who specialises in accessibility, the accessibility audits we carry out and the accessibility training we offer are something we take pride in. Over the coming months, we will evaluate and make sure the audits and training we offer are considerate of the new changes that are being made. Thus, ensuring that the websites we build are one step ahead in being accessible for all.
To us, it’s not just about being able to say we follow the rules, we understand the value behind accessibility. In the UK, 1 in 5 people have a disability, whether it’s visual, hearing, motor, cognitive, temporary or situational. We want the services we offer to be able to reach everyone, regardless of circumstance. We are passionate about the services we provide to our clients and making sure the services we create work for everyone is really important to us. If we are lucky enough to be able to build a website for you, you can be certain that we will ensure compliance on accessibility standards from the very beginning. We also have a dedicated team who will continue to support you on your journey, post launch.