{"id":7557,"date":"2025-04-07T09:15:31","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T08:15:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawwwing.com\/?p=7557"},"modified":"2025-04-07T12:41:28","modified_gmt":"2025-04-07T11:41:28","slug":"wcag-2-2-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawwwing.com\/en\/wcag-2-2-what-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"WCAG 2.2: What you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In today\u2019s digital age, ensuring that web content is accessible to everyone\u2014regardless of their abilities or disabilities\u2014is no longer just a best practice: it\u2019s a necessity. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)<\/strong> are the international standard developed to achieve this goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most recent version, WCAG 2.2<\/strong>, published in October 2023, introduces significant improvements aimed at expanding inclusion in digital environments<\/strong>. In this article, we explain what WCAG 2.2 is, why it\u2019s important, what\u2019s new, and how you can start applying it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is WCAG 2.2?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

WCAG 2.2<\/strong> <\/a>is a set of technical guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)<\/a><\/strong>\u2014an international organization based in the United States that develops the standards that ensure the web continues to grow and function in an accessible way for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its goal is to make digital content: such as websites, mobile apps, or interactive platforms, accessible to everyone<\/strong>, including people with disabilities, older adults, or those who may face challenges when interacting with digital environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These guidelines provide detailed criteria to ensure that information is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are based on four key principles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Perceivable<\/strong>: Information must be presented in a way that users can perceive it, such as by including alternative text for images.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Operable<\/strong>: Users must be able to navigate the website, even if they only use a keyboard.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Understandable<\/strong>: Content should be clear, consistent, and easy to follow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Robust<\/strong>: The website must be able to function properly across different browsers and assistive technologies.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Version 2.2, released in October 2023, builds on previous versions (2.0 and 2.1), incorporating new recommendations focused on improving the experience for users with cognitive or mobility-related disabilities<\/strong>, as well as those using mobile devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    What\u2019s new in WCAG 2.2?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    WCAG 2.2 adds nine new success criteria<\/strong>, many of which are designed to make it easier for users to navigate and interact<\/strong> with digital content, especially on mobile devices or for individuals with cognitive or physical challenges. A few notable examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Focus Not Obscured (2.4.11 \u2013 Level AA)<\/strong>:When an element receives keyboard focus (for example, when navigating with the tab key), it must be visible to the user. In other words, nothing should cover it or prevent it from being seen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Dragging Movements (2.5.7 \u2013 Level AA)<\/strong>:There must be an alternative to complex gestures like dragging with a finger (drag and drop), which can be difficult for people with limited mobility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Redundant Entry (3.3.7 \u2013 Level A)<\/strong>:The site should not require users to enter the same information more than once during a process, such as filling out a form or completing a registration. This helps reduce the cognitive load for many users.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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      Legal situation in Spain: Is it mandatory to comply with WCAG 2.2?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Although WCAG guidelines do not have the force of law on their own, as they are issued by a private organization, their adoption as a technical standard is widely recognized internationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      In the European context, and specifically in Spain, the new Law 11\/2023<\/strong><\/a>\u2014commonly referred to as the \"Accessibility Law\"<\/strong>\u2014sets out clear accessibility obligations for private companies that offer products or services online, aligning with EU Directive 2019\/882<\/strong>. This law requires that, as of 28 June 2025<\/strong>, all new websites and apps comply with accessibility criteria, and that existing services be adapted before 2030.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Law 11\/2023 on accessibility<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

      Although the law does not specifically mention WCAG 2.2<\/strong>, it does refer to technical standards such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n