The First Step to Web Accessibility: Achieving Level A

*This article is an English translation of a Japanese article.

Web accessibility is a crucial effort to ensure that all users have equal access to web content. It is especially important for people with visual or auditory impairments, those with physical limitations, the elderly, or users who experience temporary restrictions. Therefore, meeting accessibility standards when managing websites or applications is the first step in providing a digital environment that everyone can use with ease.

In this article, we will focus on “Level A,” the most basic accessibility standard, explaining why it should be prioritized and how it can be achieved. This guide offers practical, straightforward advice for beginners in web development and small business website managers, with specific examples to support understanding.

What is Level A in Web Accessibility?

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) categorize accessibility standards into three levels: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA. Level A is the most basic and represents the minimum requirements for accessibility. This level mainly focuses on “ensuring access.” In other words, it specifies the essential requirements users need to access and interact with web content.

For example, adding alternative text for images and ensuring the website is operable using only a keyboard are typical criteria for Level A. These elements are critical for making web content accessible to users with visual impairments or limited mobility.

Why Achieve Level A Compliance?

Meeting the Level A standard ensures that all users can access and use your website, regardless of their abilities. It removes barriers that many users face when trying to view or interact with web content. Additionally, achieving this standard provides several benefits for businesses and organizations:

• Avoid Legal Risks: In some countries or regions, laws and regulations enforce accessibility standards. Achieving Level A compliance ensures that your website meets these legal requirements.
• Enhance User Experience: Accessibility improvements help not only people with disabilities but also those with temporary conditions, such as a broken arm, or elderly users with poor vision. A site that is easy for everyone to use naturally attracts more visitors.
• SEO Benefits: Proper alternative text and well-organized headings provide search engines with clearer content, improving the site’s ranking in search results.

Practical Steps to Achieving Level A Compliance

So how can you meet the Level A standards? Here are some key measures you can take:

1. Provide Alternative Text (alt attributes) for Images
   Add alternative text that conveys the visual information of images. This allows users with visual impairments to understand the content through screen readers. For example, you could add a specific description like “Blue shirt with a front pocket” to a product image.

2. Support Keyboard Navigation
   Ensure that all functionalities are operable using only a keyboard. For instance, users should be able to navigate menus with the Tab key and select items using the Enter key.

3. Avoid Relying on Color Alone
   When conveying information, avoid using only color to distinguish important content. For example, instead of saying “Important items are highlighted in red,” explicitly label them as “Important items.”

4. Provide Text Alternatives for Video and Audio Content
   Add captions to videos and transcripts to audio content to accommodate users with hearing impairments or those in environments where sound is not an option.

5. Label Forms Clearly
   Ensure all form fields have appropriate labels so that users know what to input. For example, label the username field as “Username” to ensure screen readers can read it correctly.

Tools and Resources for Achieving Level A Compliance

There are various tools and resources available to help you meet the Level A standards. Below are some recommended resources:

• Automated Testing Tools: Tools such as WAVE and Axe can automatically scan your site for basic accessibility issues and provide reports.
• User Testing: Having actual users with disabilities test your site and provide feedback can be invaluable. This helps uncover problems that automated tools might miss.
• Developer Guidelines: The official WCAG website provides detailed explanations for each criterion. Refer to this as you make the necessary adjustments to your site.

Conclusion

Among the various web accessibility standards, aiming for Level A is an important first step. Meeting the basic requirements allows you to create a more accessible website for a broader audience. It also helps avoid legal risks, enhances user experience, and provides SEO benefits.

For those new to web accessibility, start by focusing on Level A compliance and gradually work towards achieving higher standards. Step by step, you can build a website that is easy for everyone to use.

Let’s take these basic steps together to create websites that are accessible for all!

We have released the UUU Web Accessibility Widget Tool, designed to make web accessibility easy to implement. This tool helps improve the accessibility of websites quickly and efficiently, even without specialized knowledge.

If you’re interested in enhancing your website’s accessibility, please check out the details. We are here to support you in making your website more user-friendly and accessible to a wider audience.