WCAG versioning, explained

Ever wondered about those numbers and letters next to WCAG? Check out our handy infographic breaking down WCAG versioning and what it means for web accessibility.

WCAG 1.0: The beginnings

• Written 1999

• Foundational principles of WCAG

• Focus: HTML and CSS

• Not directly referenced today

WCAG 2.0: The evolution

• Released Dec 2008

• More comprehensive and technologically-neutral

• Shaped today’s WCAG, introducing categorization principles and conformance levels

• 25 criteria at A, 13 at AA and 23 at AAA

• Mandated for US, Canada and Australia

WCAG 2.1: Bridging the gap

• Released June 2018.

• Adds 17 criteria on top of WCAG 2.0

• Attempts to address mobile web, cognitive disabilities, low vision

• Mandated for New Zealand, European Union and UK

WCAG 2.2: The latest

• To be released 2023

• Adds 9 criteria on top of WCAG 2.0 and 2.1

• Covers mobile web, low vision, cognitive and learning disabilities, authentication

• Not mandated anywhere yet

WCAG 3.0: Looking ahead

• In working draft

• Aims to be more flexible and adaptable to different UX and technologies, plus address gaps

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