As more of our daily lives take place online, websites and digital platforms have become essential tools for communication, learning, shopping, working, and accessing services. To ensure these experiences are inclusive for everyone, digital accessibility has become a growing global priority.
At the core of this movement are the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines offer clear, actionable standards to help make digital content accessible to people with a wide range of abilities. WCAG is built around four key principles: content should be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. These principles help create experiences that work well for all users.
Many countries have adopted WCAG into their legal and policy frameworks. For example:
- In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has been used to guide web accessibility practices across industries.
- The European Union’s Web Accessibility Directive requires public sector websites and mobile apps to meet WCAG standards.
- Canada’s Accessible Canada Act sets digital accessibility requirements for federally regulated organisations.
- Australia’s Disability Discrimination Act supports the use of WCAG through policy and legal precedent.
This blog explores how different countries apply WCAG through their laws and regulations, and what this means for organisations, developers, and users around the world.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines were developed by the World Wide Web Consortium(W3C) as part of the Web Accessibility Initiative. They are the most widely used standards for making websites and digital content accessible to everyone.
The different versions of WCAG include:
- WCAG 2.0 (2008) – The first global standard widely used.
- WCAG 2.1 (2018) – It introduced criteria for mobile accessibility, cognitive disabilities, and low-vision users.
- WCAG 2.2 (2023) – It focused on making things easier to use, improving the focus indicators, simplifying the login process, and offering better support for individuals with motor disabilities.
WCAG compliance is categorised into three levels:
- A – Basic accessibility requirements.
- AA – The industry standard, legally required in most regions.
- AAA – The highest level, often considered a best practice.
These guidelines are built around four key principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust.
Accessibility compliance in different countries
United States
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- It is a law that protects people with disabilities from inequality
- As per courts and regulators, it is often used WCAG 2.1 AA as the standard for compliance.
- It applies to businesses, government agencies, and public services.
- Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
- This requires federal agencies to make electronic and IT resources accessible.
- It was updated in 2017 to follow WCAG 2.0 AA accessibility standards.
- It applies to the government websites, contractors, and federally funded projects.
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
- This guarantees equal access to education and public programs that receive federal funding.
- It refers to WCAG 2.1 AA for digital accessibility standards
- It applies to education, healthcare, and social services.
- Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA)
- It refers to WCAG 2.0 AA for digital accessibility standards.
- It requires telecommunications and video services to be accessible
- Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)
- It refers to WCAG 2.0 AA for digital accessibility standards
- It requires that Airlines operating in the U.S. (including foreign carriers) should be accessible.
European Union (EU)
- European Accessibility Act (EAA)
- It aligns with EN 301 549, which follows WCAG 2.1 AA Standard
- It is effective from 2025, which requires Information and Communication Technology(ICT) products, e-commerce, and digital banking to be accessible.
- EU Web Accessibility Directive (2016)
- It refers to WCAG 2.1 AA for digital accessibility standards.
- It includes regular monitoring, reporting, and enforcement.
- It requires public sector websites and mobile apps to be accessible.
Canada
- Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
- It refers to WCAG 2.0 AA for the digital accessibility standards.
- It requires both public and private sector organisations to be accessible.
- Provincial Accessibility Laws
- Accessible Canada Act (ACA)
- Federal law requires organisations to eliminate accessibility barriers in digital spaces.
- It refers to the WCAG 2.0 AA for digital accessibility standards.
- British Columbia – Accessible BC Act
- It requires that Public sector organisations (including municipal governments, libraries, and schools) should be accessible.
- No specific WCAG requirement, but organisations must develop accessibility action plans.
- Manitoba – Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA)
- It is required for the Public sector & private organisations with 50+ employees.
- It refers to WCAG 2.1 AA for the digital accessibility standard.
- Nova Scotia – Accessibility Act
- It is required for the Public sector organisations & large businesses.
- It refers to WCAG 2.1 AA for the digital accessibility standard.
- Accessible Canada Act (ACA)
United Kingdom
- Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations (2018)
- It requires all public sector websites and mobile apps to meet the accessibility standard.
- It refers to WCAG 2.1 AA digital accessibility standards.
- Organisations must share accessibility statements and complete compliance audits.
- Equality Act 2010 – Covers All Organisations
- It requires all organisations, including private businesses, charities, and public sector bodies, must comply with the accessibility standard
- It refers to WCAG 2.1 AA for the digital accessibility standards.
Australia
- Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
- It is enforced by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
- It recommends WCAG 2.0 AA for the digital accessibility standard
- It applies to the government and private entities.
- Web Accessibility National Transition Strategy (NTS) – Government Digital Services
- It requires that all Australian Government websites (federal, state, and local) must follow the accessibility standard.
- It complies with WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standard (previously WCAG 2.0).
India
- Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016
- It requires that information and communication technology, such as websites, mobile apps, and online services, be accessible to everyone.
- It refers to WCAG 2.1 AA for the digital accessibility standard.
- It applies to the government and private sector organisations providing public services.
- Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW)
- It was developed by the NIC (National Informatics Centre) for government websites.
- It refers to the WCAG 2.0 AA for the digital accessibility standard.
- It requires websites to be accessible to people with disabilities, including screen reader support and keyboard navigation.
China
- Voluntary Web Accessibility Standard
- This standard is mainly for government websites and public service platforms in China.
- It refers to the WCAG 2.0 AA for the digital accessibility standard.
- Law on the Protection of Disabled Persons (LPDP) – Legal Mandate
- Government websites & apps, Public service providers and Large private sector platforms must comply with China’s Web Accessibility Guidelines (WAH 2.0).
- Government websites & apps, Public service providers and Large private sector platforms must comply with China’s Web Accessibility Guidelines (WAH 2.0).
Brazil
- Lei Brasileira de Inclusão (LBI)
- Government websites & apps, Private sector businesses that provide Public services and Companies with government contracts must comply with the WCAG 2.0 AA
- Government websites & apps, Private sector businesses that provide Public services and Companies with government contracts must comply with the WCAG 2.0 AA
- eMAG (Modelo de Acessibilidade em Governo Eletrônico) – Government Accessibility Standard
- Government agencies and digital services must follow WCAG 2.1 AA
- Government agencies and digital services must follow WCAG 2.1 AA
South Africa
- Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 – Legal Mandate
- Government websites, Private sector organisations and Telecommunications and digital service providers must follow WCAG 2.1 AA
- Government websites, Private sector organisations and Telecommunications and digital service providers must follow WCAG 2.1 AA
- Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA)
- Telecommunications companies, E-commerce platforms, and Online service providers should be aligned with WCAG 2.1 AA
Other Countries/Regions
Apart from the above-listed countries, there are other countries as well where accessibility-related compliance is also applicable. To check the compliance, go to https://www.w3.org/WAI/policies/
Conclusion
Countries around the world are adopting the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to help make digital spaces easier for everyone to use. But accessibility is more than just following rules. It's about creating content and experiences that are inclusive, thoughtful, and welcoming to all.
When we consider accessibility from the start, it becomes a natural part of the design process. It's not something extra, but something that improves the experience for everyone.
So let's move away from thinking of accessibility as something we have to do, and start seeing it as something we want to do. You can begin today by checking your website or app against WCAG standards. By taking small steps together, we can help build an internet where everyone can participate and feel included.