How is WCAG 2.1 different from WCAG 2.2?

 If you own a website, this blog is for you.

Lawsuits about website accessibility are growing fast. Everyone is at risk including small businesses and big brands. Many owners panic when they get emails or legal letters about their website being inaccessible.

Some lawsuits come from serial litigants who sue many websites just to make money. That is why making your website accessible is no longer a maybe. Adhering toWCAG Guidelines is a must.

What Is Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

These are the rules that help make websites usable for everyone including people with disabilities. If your site doesn’t follow these rules, someone might not be able to read your text with a screen reader, click buttons without a mouse, see your colors clearly and fill out your forms.

WCAG 2.1 vs. WCAG 2.2 — What is the difference?

You hear people say follow WCAG 2.1 and some tell that WCAG 2.2 is the new one. So which one do you need?

WCAG 2.1: The basics

It was released in 2018. It added rules to help people using mobile phones. It has accessibility rules made for people with low vision and people with cognitive disabilities. Most legal guidelines today still ask for WCAG 2.1 Level AA. That means your website should meet all the main rules in 2.1 but not the hardest ones.

So if your site is following WCAG AA from 2.1 edition that is already a great step.

WCAG 2.2: What is new?

This version came out in 2023. It adds 9 new rules that focus on making it easier to click buttons and links. These rules help people who have trouble remembering things. WCAG 2.2 make forms and logins simpler.

Clear focus indicators and help messages can make a big difference to someone trying to shop, sign up, or read on your site.

What WCAG Level Do I Need?

WCAG has 3 levels:

Level A – basic accessibility

Level AA – good for most users and often required by law

Level AAA – the highest level which is hard to meet fully

Most businesses aim for WCAG AA 2.1 or 2.2. It covers most legal requirements and gives your users a smooth experience.

Why some businesses are getting sued

Many businesses do not even know what WCAG level they need. They think adding alt text or a plugin is enough. But serial litigants look for these weak spots. If your site has no accessibility work done, you become an easy target.

They will file a lawsuit even if you did not know the rules. Even if it is your first website.

That is why it is urgent to act fast. It is normal if all of this sounds confusing. Most business owners are not web experts. So ask an accessibility specialist they will tell you if you need WCAG 2.2 or WCAG AA for 2.1 edition.

Conclusion

If you run a website and don’t know if it meets WCAG 2.1 or 2.2, now is the time to find out. Do not wait for a complaint or lawsuit. Talk to an accessibility specialist at ADACP to guide you through WCAG 2.2 AA. They offer quick, fast and efficient audit and remediation services for WCAG compliance.