Section 5: Conformance
The "Conformance" principle provides guidelines for meeting accessibility standards, making conformance claims, maintaining accessibility, and documenting accessibility efforts. It aims to ensure transparency and encourage continued improvement.
5.1 Conformance Requirements
Web pages must satisfy the requirements for one of the following levels:
- Level A: Minimum essential features for accessibility.
- Level AA: Enhanced accessibility features addressing common barriers.
- Level AAA: Comprehensive features addressing a wide range of disabilities.
5.2 Conformance Claims
Organizations can publicly declare their compliance by making conformance claims that outline the level of conformance achieved and the scope of coverage.
- Example: "This site complies with WCAG 2.1 Level AA as of April 2025."
5.3 Documenting Accessibility Features
Create and share documentation about the accessibility features of your web content to inform users and developers.
- Example: A page detailing the assistive technologies supported by the website.
5.4 Review and Maintenance
Regularly review and update web content to ensure continued compliance and address new accessibility needs.
- Example: Conduct quarterly accessibility audits and act on user feedback.
5.5 Providing Accessibility Statements
Publish accessibility statements to outline your commitment and inform users about accessibility features.
- Example: "We are committed to accessibility and follow WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines."