The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide a global standard for making digital content accessible to people with disabilities. These guidelines are built on 4 core principles that define how digital content should work: it must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Each principle contains specific guidelines and measurable success criteria.^[1]

WCAG's structure helps create better digital experiences through clear requirements. For example, under the "Perceivable" principle, one guideline requires text alternatives for non-text content like images. The corresponding success criteria specify exactly what those alternatives need to include for different compliance levels.

Many countries have adopted WCAG as a legal requirement for digital accessibility. Organizations must meet specific WCAG success criteria to comply with laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States and the European Accessibility Act.

WCAG has 3 compliance levels: A, AA, and AAA, with each level addressing progressively more complex accessibility requirements.