Complete WCAG 2.1 Compliance Checklist [2025]

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 is the international standard for web accessibility. This comprehensive checklist covers all 78 success criteria across Level A, AA, and AAA.

Why WCAG Compliance Matters

• Legal Protection: ADA, Section 508, and AODA require WCAG compliance
• Broader Audience: 15% of the global population has a disability
• Better UX: Accessible sites work better for everyone
• SEO Benefits: Many accessibility improvements boost search rankings

WCAG 2.1 Level A (Minimum Compliance)

1. Perceivable

1.1 Text Alternatives

• 1.1.1 Non-text Content: All images have alt text
• Decorative images use empty alt attributes (alt="")
• Complex images (charts, diagrams) have detailed descriptions

1.2 Time-based Media

• 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only: Transcripts provided
• 1.2.2 Captions: Prerecorded videos have captions
• 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative: Descriptive narration for videos

1.3 Adaptable

• 1.3.1 Info and Relationships: Proper HTML semantics (headings, lists, tables)
• 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence: Logical reading order in DOM
• 1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics: Don't rely only on color, shape, or sound

1.4 Distinguishable

• 1.4.1 Use of Color: Information not conveyed by color alone
• 1.4.2 Audio Control: Ability to pause/stop auto-playing audio

2. Operable

2.1 Keyboard Accessible

• 2.1.1 Keyboard: All functionality available via keyboard
• 2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap: Users can navigate away from all elements
• 2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts: Single-key shortcuts can be remapped

2.2 Enough Time

• 2.2.1 Timing Adjustable: Time limits can be extended or turned off
• 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide: Auto-updating content can be paused

2.3 Seizures and Physical Reactions

• 2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold: No content flashes more than 3x/sec

2.4 Navigable

• 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks: Skip navigation links provided
• 2.4.2 Page Titled: Every page has a descriptive <title>
• 2.4.3 Focus Order: Tab order matches visual order
• 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context): Link text describes destination

2.5 Input Modalities

• 2.5.1 Pointer Gestures: Complex gestures have simple alternatives
• 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation: Click actions trigger on mouse up, not down
• 2.5.3 Label in Name: Visible labels match accessible names
• 2.5.4 Motion Actuation: Motion-triggered actions have alternatives

3. Understandable

3.1 Readable

• 3.1.1 Language of Page: HTML lang attribute set correctly

3.2 Predictable

• 3.2.1 On Focus: No unexpected context changes on focus
• 3.2.2 On Input: No unexpected context changes on input

3.3 Input Assistance

• 3.3.1 Error Identification: Form errors are clearly identified
• 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions: Form fields have labels

4. Robust

4.1 Compatible

• 4.1.1 Parsing: HTML is valid (no duplicate IDs, proper nesting)
• 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value: Custom controls use ARIA correctly
• 4.1.3 Status Messages: Dynamic updates announced to screen readers

WCAG 2.1 Level AA (Recommended)

1. Perceivable

1.2 Time-based Media

• 1.2.4 Captions (Live): Live videos have captions
• 1.2.5 Audio Description: Descriptive audio for prerecorded video

1.3 Adaptable

• 1.3.4 Orientation: Content works in portrait and landscape
• 1.3.5 Identify Input Purpose: Form inputs use autocomplete attributes

1.4 Distinguishable

• 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum): 4.5:1 text contrast, 3:1 for large text
• 1.4.4 Resize Text: Text can be resized to 200% without loss of content
• 1.4.5 Images of Text: Use real text instead of text in images
• 1.4.10 Reflow: Content reflows at 320px width (no horizontal scroll)
• 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast: 3:1 contrast for UI components
• 1.4.12 Text Spacing: Content adapts to increased line height/spacing
• 1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus: Popups/tooltips are dismissible

2. Operable

2.4 Navigable

• 2.4.5 Multiple Ways: Multiple ways to find pages (search, sitemap, nav)
• 2.4.6 Headings and Labels: Headings and labels are descriptive
• 2.4.7 Focus Visible: Keyboard focus is visible

3. Understandable

3.1 Readable

• 3.1.2 Language of Parts: Language changes marked with lang attribute

3.2 Predictable

• 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation: Navigation is consistent across pages
• 3.2.4 Consistent Identification: Icons and buttons are consistent

3.3 Input Assistance

• 3.3.3 Error Suggestion: Error messages suggest corrections
• 3.3.4 Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data): Confirmations for critical actions

WCAG 2.1 Level AAA (Enhanced)

1. Perceivable

1.2 Time-based Media

• 1.2.6 Sign Language: Sign language interpretation for videos
• 1.2.7 Extended Audio Description: Detailed audio description
• 1.2.8 Media Alternative: Full text alternative for videos
• 1.2.9 Audio-only (Live): Captions for live audio

1.4 Distinguishable

• 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced): 7:1 text contrast, 4.5:1 for large text
• 1.4.7 Low or No Background Audio: Background audio ≤20dB
• 1.4.8 Visual Presentation: Line length ≤80 chars, full justification avoided
• 1.4.9 Images of Text (No Exception): No images of text

2. Operable

2.1 Keyboard Accessible

• 2.1.3 Keyboard (No Exception): All functionality keyboard-accessible

2.2 Enough Time

• 2.2.3 No Timing: No time limits on content
• 2.2.4 Interruptions: Interruptions can be postponed or suppressed
• 2.2.5 Re-authenticating: Data preserved when session expires
• 2.2.6 Timeouts: Users warned of data loss from inactivity

2.3 Seizures and Physical Reactions

• 2.3.2 Three Flashes: No flashing content at all
• 2.3.3 Animation from Interactions: Motion animations can be disabled

2.4 Navigable

• 2.4.8 Location: Current location shown in navigation
• 2.4.9 Link Purpose (Link Only): Link text alone describes destination
• 2.4.10 Section Headings: Headings organize content

2.5 Input Modalities

• 2.5.5 Target Size: Click targets ≥44x44 pixels
• 2.5.6 Concurrent Input Mechanisms: Support multiple input methods

3. Understandable

3.1 Readable

• 3.1.3 Unusual Words: Definitions provided for jargon
• 3.1.4 Abbreviations: Expansions provided for abbreviations
• 3.1.5 Reading Level: Supplementary content for 9th-grade reading level
• 3.1.6 Pronunciation: Pronunciation guidance for ambiguous words

3.2 Predictable

• 3.2.5 Change on Request: Context changes only on user request

3.3 Input Assistance

• 3.3.5 Help: Context-sensitive help available
• 3.3.6 Error Prevention (All): Confirmation for all form submissions

How to Use This Checklist

Manual Testing

1. Review each criterion relevant to your site
2. Test with keyboard navigation (Tab, Enter, Space, Arrow keys)
3. Use browser DevTools to inspect HTML and ARIA
4. Test with screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver)

Automated Testing

Use tools like Beacon to catch 70% of violations automatically:

• Run automated scans for common issues
• Get detailed violation reports with fix guidance
• Track compliance over time

Remediation Priority

1. Level A - Must-fix for legal compliance
2. Level AA - Industry standard, recommended for all sites
3. Level AAA - Enhanced accessibility for specialized needs

Common Violations & Quick Fixes

Missing Alt Text

Issue: Images without alt attributes Fix: <img src="logo.png" alt="Beacon Logo">

Low Contrast

Issue: Text contrast ratio below 4.5:1 Fix: Use darker text or lighter backgrounds Tool: WebAIM Contrast Checker

Missing Form Labels

Issue: Inputs without associated labels Fix:

<label for="email">Email Address</label>
<input id="email" type="email">

Keyboard Traps

Issue: Users can't navigate away from modals Fix: Implement focus management with aria-modal="true"

Missing ARIA Landmarks

Issue: No semantic regions for navigation Fix: Use <nav>, <main>, <header>, <footer> elements

Tools for Testing

Automated Scanners

• Beacon - Comprehensive WCAG 2.1 scanning
• axe DevTools - Browser extension
• WAVE - Visual feedback overlay

Manual Testing Tools

• Screen Readers: NVDA (Windows), JAWS (Windows), VoiceOver (Mac/iOS)
• Keyboard: Test all interactions with Tab, Enter, Space
• Color Contrast: WebAIM Contrast Checker

Get Help with Compliance

Beacon automates WCAG testing and provides detailed remediation guidance:

• Automated Scans: Catch 70% of violations in under 5 minutes
• Detailed Reports: Understand what's broken and how to fix it
• Continuous Monitoring: Schedule recurring scans to stay compliant

Start Your Free Scan →

Resources

• WCAG 2.1 Official Specification
• WebAIM WCAG Checklist
• A11Y Project
• ARIA Authoring Practices Guide

---

Last Updated: November 2, 2025

This checklist covers WCAG 2.1. For WCAG 2.2 updates (coming 2025), see our WCAG 2.2 Migration Guide.