WCAG Accessibility

Understanding WCAG 2.1 AA: The Four Pillars of Accessibility

WCAG is built on four key principles, often remembered by the acronym POUR. Content must be:

Perceivable:

Information and user interface components must be presented in ways users can perceive.
This means providing text alternatives for non-text content, creating content that can be presented in different ways without losing information, and making it easier for users to see and hear content.

Operable:

User interface components and navigation must be operable.
This includes making all functionality available from a keyboard, giving users enough time to read and use content, and helping users navigate and find content easily..

Understandable:

Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable.
This means making text readable and predictable, and providing input assistance to help users avoid and correct mistakes.

Robust:

Content must be robust enough to be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents,
including assistive technologies like screen readers. This requires using clean, semantic code that follows standards.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA): From Guideline to Law

The EAA is a directive that requires private sector businesses across the European Union to make their products and services, including websites and mobile apps, accessible.

Key facts for a business website:

• Deadline: Full compliance is required by June 28, 2025
• Standard: The EAA mandates conformity with WCAG 2.1 Level AA
• Scope: Applies to all businesses selling to consumers in the EU market, regardless of where the business is based
• Consequence: Non-compliance can result in significant fines, legal penalties, and exclusion from the EU market.

An EAA-compliant website ensures:

• ❶ Full compatibility with screen readers and other assistive technologies
• ❷ Complete navigability and functionality using only a keyboard
• ❸ Sufficient color contrast and resizable text without loss of function
• ❹ Clear labels, instructions, and error messages for forms and interactions.

The 2Deluxe SPA Advantage: Accessibility by Design

In our process, accessibility is neither a last-minute audit nor a costly retrofit. It is integrated by default:

• ➀ Sustainable & Accessible: The clean, semantic HTML required for accessibility also creates lighter, more energy-efficient websites.
• ➁ Pragmatic & Accessible: An accessible website with clear structure and navigation provides a better user experience for everyone, leading to higher engagement and conversion.
• ➂ Built-In, Not Bolted-On: From color contrast checks in our design phase to ARIA labels and keyboard navigation in our development, accessibility standards guide our decisions daily.

Beyond compliance: The Business benefits of an Accessible website

Building to WCAG 2.1 AA and the EAA isn't just about avoiding risk - it's about embracing opportunity.

• Expand the audience: Reach the over 1 billion people globally who live with a disability, representing a market with significant spending power.
• Enhance Brand value: Demonstrate social responsibility and a genuine commitment to inclusivity, fostering trust and loyalty.
• Improve SEO & Usability: Implementing accessible practices (such as proper heading structure and image alt text) directly enhances search engine rankings and usability for all visitors.
• Future-proof the investment: Developing a robust, standards-compliant site reduces long-term maintenance costs and ensures compatibility with future technologies.