What Is WCAG 2.2?

WCAG 2.2 builds upon the foundations of WCAG 2.0 (2008) and WCAG 2.1 (2018), retaining all previous guidelines while adding new success criteria. The guidelines are developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and aim to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities, including those with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments.

Key Goals of WCAG 2.2:

• Improve accessibility for users with cognitive impairments and low vision.
• Offer clearer, more actionable guidance for interactive components.
• Address mobile usability and touch-target accessibility.

What’s New in WCAG 2.2?

WCAG 2.2 introduces 9 new success criteria – some at Level A, some at Level AA, and one at Level AAA. Below are the most significant additions you need to be aware of:

1. Focus Not Obscured (Minimum) – 2.4.11 (Level AA): Ensures that the focus indicator (e.g., keyboard focus outline) is not hidden or partially obscured by sticky headers, overlays, or pop-ups.

2. Focus Not Obscured (Enhanced) – 2.4.12 (Level AAA): Goes a step further – focus indicators must always remain fully visible, even in more complex layouts.

3. Focus Appearance – 2.4.13 (Level AAA): Requires that visible focus indicators meet certain contrast and visibility standards, helping users better understand where they are on the page.

4. Dragging Movements – 2.5.7 (Level AA): Interfaces must offer an alternative to dragging for users who have difficulties with precise or sustained pointer movements.

5. Target Size (Minimum) – 2.5.8 (Level AA): Ensures that clickable elements like buttons or links are at least 24×24 CSS pixels, improving usability on mobile and for users with motor impairments.

6. Consistent Help – 3.2.6 (Level A): If a page provides help mechanisms like chatbots, contact forms, or FAQs, they must be consistently available across related pages.

7. Redundant Entry – 3.3.7 (Level A): It prevents frustration by ensuring users don’t have to re-enter the same information across multiple steps in a process unless it’s essential.

8. Accessible Authentication (Minimum) – 3.3.8 (Level AA): Authentication must not rely solely on cognitive tests like remembering passwords or solving puzzles. Alternatives such as copy-paste or password managers must be allowed.

9. Accessible Authentication (Enhanced) – 3.3.9 (Level AAA): Requires even greater flexibility, supporting biometric logins or secure links that don’t require memory-based tasks.

What You Need to Update?

If your digital platform already conforms to WCAG 2.1, you’re in a strong position – but some updates are still necessary. Here’s where to focus:

• Audit Your Focus Indicators: Check all interactive elements for focus visibility. Test across different browsers, devices, and screen sizes.
• Optimize Touch Targets:. Ensure that all clickable/touchable elements meet the new 24×24 pixel minimum. This is especially important for mobile usability.
• Simplify Authentication: Avoid relying solely on CAPTCHA, password recall, or cognitive-heavy logins. Offer accessible alternatives.
• Offer Alternatives to Dragging: For components that require dragging (e.g., sliders, drag-and-drop interfaces), provide buttons or other accessible input methods.
• Keep Help Consistent: Review your site architecture to ensure help features (live chat, contact links, support articles) are uniformly accessible on all relevant pages.
• Improve Form Usability: Enable auto-fill and pre-fill repeated information where appropriate to eliminate redundant tasks.

Why This Matters?

Legal Compliance Accessibility regulations worldwide – from the ADA in the U.S. to the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and EN 301 549 – increasingly cite WCAG standards. Non-compliance may expose your organization to legal risk.

Better User Experience. Designing for accessibility benefits everyone, not just users with disabilities. More intuitive, consistent, and mobile-friendly designs improve overall usability and satisfaction.

Inclusive Brand Values. Meeting WCAG 2.2 demonstrates a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity – a valuable brand asset in today’s digital landscape.

WCAG 2.2 is not just a checklist – it’s a signal of the evolving expectations for accessible and user-friendly digital experiences. As we move toward a more inclusive web, these updates present an opportunity to enhance your user experience, boost legal compliance, and strengthen your digital brand. If you’re unsure where to begin, consider conducting a professional accessibility audit or partnering with experts in inclusive UX design and development.