Accessibility Insights now supports WCAG 2.2 AA

Learn about Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and Accessibility Insight's newest updates that provide WCAG 2.2 testing and support guidance.

Nandita
5 min readintermediate
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Overview

The article announces that Accessibility Insights now supports WCAG 2.2 AA, enhancing developers' ability to create accessible software. It highlights the importance of these guidelines and introduces new features that streamline accessibility testing.

What You'll Learn

1

How to implement WCAG 2.2 AA guidelines in your web applications

2

Why accessibility testing is crucial for user experience

3

When to integrate accessibility considerations in the development lifecycle

Prerequisites & Requirements

  • Basic understanding of web accessibility principles
  • Familiarity with Accessibility Insights tools(optional)

Key Questions Answered

What are the new criteria introduced in WCAG 2.2 AA?
WCAG 2.2 AA introduces six new criteria: Redundant Entry, Dragging Movements, Accessible Authentication, Minimum Target, Focus Not Obscured, and Consistent Help. These criteria aim to enhance user experience by making web interactions more inclusive and accessible.
How does Accessibility Insights support WCAG 2.2 AA compliance?
Accessibility Insights provides testing support and guidance for WCAG 2.2 AA through its Assessment feature, which includes a mix of assisted and manual test steps to ensure compliance with the latest accessibility standards.
Why is it important to integrate accessibility early in the development process?
Integrating accessibility early in the development process helps save time and resources by avoiding retroactive changes. It also enhances user experience by ensuring that all users can interact with the product effectively from the start.

Technologies & Tools

Frontend
Accessibility Insights For Web
A suite of tools to help developers test and improve web accessibility.
Backend
Axe-windows
A scanning library included in Accessibility Insights for Windows.

Key Actionable Insights

1
Developers should incorporate WCAG 2.2 AA criteria into their testing workflows to enhance accessibility.
By doing so, they can ensure that their applications are inclusive and meet the latest standards, ultimately improving user satisfaction and engagement.
2
Utilize the new features in Accessibility Insights for Web to streamline accessibility testing.
These features, including Quick Assess and automated checks, can help identify accessibility issues early in the development cycle, making it easier to address them proactively.

Common Pitfalls

1
Failing to consider accessibility from the beginning of the development process can lead to significant rework later.
This often happens because developers underestimate the complexity of retrofitting accessibility features into existing applications, which can be time-consuming and costly.

Related Concepts

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (wcag)
Accessibility Testing Methodologies
Inclusive Design Principles