WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is the international technical standard for making web content accessible to everyone, including users with disabilities. It is published by the W3C, and the current version is WCAG 2.2. Its success criteria are grouped into three conformance levels (A, AA, AAA) and it forms the technical basis of accessibility legislation worldwide.
WCAG is a technical guideline published by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) at the W3C. Its content is organized around four principles: perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. Under these principles sit measurable success criteria, each assigned to one of three conformance levels. Level A covers the most essential requirements, Level AA is the widely accepted target, and Level AAA sets the highest bar. In practice, conformance means concrete work: alternative text for images, sufficient color contrast, full keyboard operability, correctly labeled forms and a meaningful heading structure. The current version, WCAG 2.2, was published in 2023.
Legislation around the world commonly references WCAG. In Türkiye, Presidential Circular 2025/10 requires public-facing websites and mobile applications to meet WCAG 2.2 Level A; for most organizations the deadline passed on 21 June 2026 and the obligation is in force, while e-commerce platforms have until 21 June 2027. For site owners, the first step is an honest assessment: automated scans catch a large share of contrast, alt text and structural issues, while a full evaluation also requires manual testing. Issues must be fixed in the source code; adding a widget alone does not make a site WCAG conformant. Regular scanning is the most practical way to measure progress and catch new issues early.
Frequently asked questions
Is WCAG 2.2 mandatory?
WCAG itself is a voluntary technical standard, but many laws make it binding by referencing it. In Türkiye, Presidential Circular 2025/10 requires WCAG 2.2 Level A for public-facing websites and mobile applications, an obligation in force for most organizations since 21 June 2026. In the EU, the technical requirements of accessibility legislation are also based on WCAG. Whether you are obliged to comply depends on which laws apply to your site.
What is the difference between WCAG levels A, AA and AAA?
Level A defines the minimum requirements for content to be usable at all, such as keyboard access and text alternatives. Level AA is the target of most legislation and adds criteria such as a 4.5:1 contrast ratio for normal text. Level AAA is the highest level and is not always achievable for every type of content. The common international target is AA; the Turkish circular requires at least Level A.
This content is for information only and is not legal advice.