Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 1.0

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0

In January 1998, Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) adopted as the basis for their guidelines "The Unified Web Site Accessibility Guidelines" compiled by the Trace R & D Center at the University of Wisconsin. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 detail fourteen guidelines for an accessible web site.

1. Provide equivalent alternatives to auditory and visual content.
2. Don't rely on color alone.
3. Use markup and style sheets and do so properly.
4. Clarify natural language usage.
5. Create tables that transform gracefully.
6. Ensure that pages featuring new technologies transform gracefully.
7. Ensure user control of time-sensitive content changes.
8. Ensure direct accessibility of embedded user interfaces.
9. Design for device-independence.
10. Use interim solutions.
11. Use W3C technologies and guidelines.
12. Provide context and orientation information.
13. Provide clear navigation mechanisms.
14. Ensure that documents are clear and simple.

The guideline includes checkpoints for meeting each guideline. Checkpoints are assigned a Priority level. The Priority levels are numbered 1, 2, and 3 and could be stated as must, should and may checkpoints.

• Priority 1 – These are the basic requirement for accessibility and must be satisfied.
• Priority 2 – These should be satisfied.
• Priority 3 – These may be satisfied.

Checklist of Checkpoints for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 is a tabular listing of the checkpoints for each Priority. 

Curriculum for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 is an in-depth training course for the Guidelines.

Fact Sheet for "Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0" is a page of Frequently Asked Questions on the Guidelines.

WAI Quick Tips Reference Card