make your new website accessible to everyone with wcag 2.2
Digital accessibility seems so obvious, but it certainly isn't. In the Netherlands, there are millions of people who have difficulty using the internet. Think of elderly people, low-literate people and people with disabilities.
That is why there will be a new obligation in 2025: many websites must be accessible to everyone. But what does that mean exactly? And what consequences does that have?
what is a digitally accessible website?
We're doing more and more online. From ordering products to finding information quickly. This is easy for many people, but what if you are blind or restricted by an accident? Then it's suddenly no longer so obvious. A digitally accessible website ensures that everyone navigates through your website without any problems.
why is accessibility important?
Accessibility is a critical part of web design. The point is that everyone can use your website, regardless of restrictions. This is not only important for inclusivity, but also for your business. People who are unable to use your website properly will drop out. And that costs customers. Google is also looking at accessibility. Websites that are well designed for everyone often rank higher in search results.
what is wcag?
The accessibility guidelines are set out in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These guidelines consist of four principles that help make websites accessible to everyone.
The four principles of WCAG
Discernible
Make sure the website is visible. This means that everyone can see, hear, or experience the content in a way that's possible for them. Think of alt texts for images, so that search engines and visually impaired people know what to see. Sufficient contrast between text and background is also important, just like subtitles for videos.
Controllable
A website must be operable, even without a mouse. For example, by enabling navigation via the keyboard. Visitors must also be able to adjust the text size, and links and buttons must make it clear where they lead.
understandably
The information on the website must be understandable to everyone. The texts must be legible and the website predictable. For example, use the same terms throughout the website and make sure there are clear error messages if something goes wrong.
rugged
A website must be reliable no matter what technology or browser someone uses. This means that your website must work well in different browsers and with assistive technologies, such as screen readers.
wcag's success criteria
The WCAG guidelines are further developed in 87 success criteria, divided into three levels:
- Level A (32 criteria): the minimum level that each website must meet.
- Level AA (24 criteria): Recommended level for most websites.
- Level AAA (31 criteria): helps make your website as user-friendly as possible for everyone.
Who does the obligation apply to?
From June 2025, many websites and digital products must comply with the guidelines at level AA. Whether that will be WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 is still unclear. We do know that these rules will apply to organizations with more than 10 employees or an annual turnover of at least 2 million euros. The obligation already applies to government institutions.
What does this mean for your organization?
If you're building a new website or modifying your existing one, it's smart to work on the WCAG guidelines. Although it takes work, it also brings you a lot: a larger audience, more satisfied visitors and possibly even higher turnover.
handy tool: check if your website is wcag 2.2 proof
It's always better to take a proactive approach to accessibility. This way, you prevent people from dropping out or having to make changes quickly in the future. Do you have doubts about the accessibility of your website? We are here to help you. With our checklist, you can easily get started.